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Bibliography
Obviously there is no shortage of excellent books discussing the Napoleonic era but we decided to help you wade through the thousands of offerings by asking some our forum regulars, beta testers and even HistWar: Les Grognards developer Jean-Michele Mathé for some of personal favorites and comments.
IMPERIAL BAYONETS (Nafziger)
Imperial Bayonets: OOP, very rare and hard to find (because nobody gives them up...if you have one, you would rather give up your wife than your copy of IB), but if you get one, its a gold mine! Basically he analyses the armies of each nation based on their manuals and regulations. How exactly did the french go from line to square? What's the effective range of spherical shell? How fast does a foot battery move? IB is packed full of this kind of stuff.
TREAD_HEAD
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 12715Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
The Glory Years, Napoleon and Austerlitz by Scott Bowden
I am currently reading this outstanding book by Scott Bowden and mentioned above by Monsieur JMM. To say that I love this book would not be exaggeration. I can't wait to purchase Scott Bowden's future Napoleonic books.
This book contains an extrememly detailed description of the small-unit tactics employed by the contestant battalions, and provides the broad overview of the bigger campaign picture.
Most importantly, it is probably the very first Napoleonic history book written in English that does not contain the taint of English bias against Napoleon. The book accurately describes the political situation that brought the monarchs of the UK, Russia, Austria and almost Prussia to gang-up on Napoleon's France just because they despised the notion that the common man may have rights, and even be fit to lead nations.
The book is the first one that I've ever read that accurately describes how England double-crossed and back-stabbed Napoleon after the 1802 Peace of Amiens, and engineered the Third Coalition against him.
Napoleon's answer to English treachery was written on 2 December 1805 at Austerlitz. The bayonets and cannon of the Grande Armee humiliated the dynastic automatons of Imperial Austria and Imperial Russia.
Please excuse my melodramatic tone . . . I've had some dry red French wine this evening, and it's got my Gallic spirit up.
JMM is correct, notwithstanding. The Scott Bowden book that he mentions is outstanding. The book's best feature isn't that it correctly judges the political situation in 1805, but that it allows the reader to clearly see the exact formation changes and other small unit tactics down to company and battalion level. Bowden has a knack for painting that picture with words.
Craig Champagne
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 3166Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
ARTILLERY OF THE NAPOLEONIC WARS (Kevin F. Kiley)
This is an excellent book on the artillery of the period with detailed drawings, lists and data you would spend a lot of time finding anywhere else.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
Swords Around a Throne: Napoleon's Grand Armee
Still, Swords Around a Throne is my current favorite; it’s full of amusing anecdotes like the following:
Long abstinence was hard on Frenchmen’s morale. The 20th Dragoon Regiment had good quarters in Spain but no wine whatever. When they appealed to their brigade commander, he unwisely stated that dragoons shouldn’t have wine, because drinking it made them too ornery. A little later, during a clash with English cavalry, the general’s horse fell with him in the middle of a creek and pinned him down. He called to passing dragoon for help and was told that it was his turn to drink water!Mikko_I
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18060Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
The Campaigns of Napoleon by David Chandler
...is still considered one of the best out there. Pretty much the modern standard IMO. First published in the late 60's as I recall.
Covers quite a bit, but is quite high level. Does not really get into the "nitty gritty" of various campaigns as much as some other authors, but does get into politics and things of that sort. Well organized and a good read. I would choose it over any other single book.
Chandler is a bit of an admitted Napoleon -o-phile and it is not as balanced as it could be, but it is not the unrelenting worship that you get with some writers.
Mammou
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 8910Memoirs of Sergeant Bourgogne
An absolutely unmissable book of the 1812 Russian Campaign is 'Memoirs of Sergeant Bourgogne'
As far as I'm aware it's the only full book written about the campaign from the first person perspective of a soldier that was there.
Ant
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 10473Arms & Uniforms, The Napoleonic Wars
In order to recognize the vast number of uniforms in Les Grognards I would recommend Liliane & Fred Funcken's "Arms & Uniforms, The Napoleonic Wars" Vol. I and II.
Link
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 17460FIREPOWER: Weapons Effectiveness on the battlefield,
1639-1850, Major-General B.P. Hughes, C.B., C.B.F.Essential reading for the designers and players alike!
John Kettler
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1026The Napoleonic Source book by Philip J. Haythornthwaite
...is pretty much a must read. Lots of good info on many aspects of the Napoleonic wars.
Ant
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 10473"Napoleons Military Machine" by Philip J. Haythornthwaite
... pretty good read as well
Pinetree
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 13224"Wellingtons Miltary Machine" by Philip J. Haythornthwaite
... pretty good read as well
Pinetree
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 13224With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies by Brent Nosworthy
I think the book is out of print, but if you can find a copy definitely read: With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies written by Brent Nosworthy and published in 1996.This book presents an excellent survey of the battle tactics used during the Napoleonic Wars for infantry, cavalry, and cannonp; and evaluates tactics with a strong dose of morale considerations. It clearly explains why certain tactics worked, and why others didn't. Part of the explanation is based upon 19th century studies of weapon effectiveness. Also, it explains very well the effective ranges of weapons, and why engagements occurred in Napoleonic fighting the way that they did (for example why a musket volley was held for so long against advancing troops).
Zitadelle
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 7247Anatomy of Victory
Get the trilogy. Anatomy of Victory, With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies and Bloddy Crucible of Courage. Anything by Nosworthy is worth more than you pay for it. Each of these books cover seperate eras, but if read in order, the build on one another. You see the progression of advances.
Berlichtingen
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 40Bloody Crucible of Courage
Get the trilogy. Anatomy of Victory, With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies and Bloddy Crucible of Courage. Anything by Nosworthy is worth more than you pay for it. Each of these books cover seperate eras, but if read in order, the build on one another. You see the progression of advances.
Berlichtingen
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 40“A Military History and the Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars” by Vincent Esposito and John Elting
...is *the* operational study.
Mikko_I
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18060Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
Campaigning with the Duke of Wellington & Featherstone
An excellent book on the Penninsular campaign, Campaigning with the Duke of Wellington & Featherstone. Many quotes from soldiers' diaries and reading this book gave me a huge admiration and respect for the insubordinate General Robert "Black Bob" Craufurd (aka "the Iron Warrior"). Also includes OOB (with wounded, killed and missing) and detailed action summaries of each of the battles of the campaign.
Iron Warrior
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18042"La Grande Armee" by Georges Blond
A great read is "La Grande Armee" by Georges Blond. It is simply filled with tons of information.
Le Tondu
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 7796
The Background of Napoleonic Warfare, The Theory of Military Tactics in Eighteenth-Century France" by Robert S. Quimby
Another [great read] that is hard to find is "The Background of Napoleonic Warfare, The Theory of Military Tactics in Eighteenth-Century France" by Robert S. Quimby.
Le Tondu
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 7796The Face of Battle
Read John Keegan's "The Face of Battle" for a great ground view look of Napoleonic warfare.
David I
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 14411
I strongly reccomend this book for it's eye opening discussion on the actual hows and whys of man to man combat!
Madmatt, Battlefront.com
Rory Muir's "Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon"
I just got done reading Rory Muir's "Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon".
Excellent!David I
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 14411
Clausewitz's On War
Clausewitz's On War is essential reading, both to get a better grasp of Napoleonic warfare but also because it teaches a lot of useful stuff. Everytime I read it my victory rate at wargames goes up! Don't buy an abridged edition because you'll miss out on loads of material.
Bill101
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 11704
Campaigns of Napoleon by Chandler
...is definitely one of the best books I've read on the era. (I'm reading it now, in fact). Plenty of information but still written in a very clear and enjoyable style.
Reg Pither
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18129
Captain Coignet - A Soldier of Napoleon's Imperial Guard from the Italian Campaign to Waterloo
One that every one must read is the (Cahier du Capitaine Coignet) or the memory of captain coignet, who has been one of the principal Vaguemestre of the Emperor...my favorite book
marechalCAMBRONNE
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18143
The Anatomy of Glory - Napoleon and his Guard - by Henry Lachouque
This is probably the "bible" on the Imperial Guard. It is a bit dry at times but a large book with lots of information.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229
The Napoleonic Wars - An Illustrated History 1792-1815 by Michael Glover
This is an interesting read that weaves together the military, naval, economic, and diplomatic events that made up this period.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229
The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon by Gunther E. Rothenberg
This is a good study of the actions at the tactical level and how the various armies practised them.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229Military Life Under Napoleon - The Memoirs of Captain Elzear Blaze - Translation by John R. Elting,
An excellent read on the daily life of a soldier in the Grand Armee. Elzear Blaze entered the Imperial Guard as a "velite" in 1804, later attending Fontainebleau, graduating in 1806 as an infantry lieutenant. He left immediately and took part in the campaign in Germany, those of Poland and Spain, remaining in the Imperial Army until the final defeat of Napoleon.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229
Napoleon on the Art of War - Edited and Translated by Jay Luvaas
This is an extremely interesting and entertaining book because it consists of Napoleon's own commentaries on war (like Sun Tzu) and of orders that he actually issued to various commanders. An example - Napoleon to Marshal Marmont, 13 October 1813... ...I intend that you place your troops in two ranks instead of three; the third rank is of no use in firing and is of even less so for the bayonet. When you are closed in mass, three divisions will form six ranks and three ranks of file closers. You will see the advantage that this offers: your fire will be better, your force will be increased by one third; and the enemy, accustomed to seeing us in three ranks, will overestimate our battalions to be stronger by one third than they actually are.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229Memoirs of a Polish Lancer - The Pamietniki of Dezydery Chlapowski - translated by Tim Simmons
This is also an excellent read on the daily events of the period and the viewpoint is that of a cavalry officer. Dezydery Chlapowski served in the trenches of Danzig in 1807 with the newly raised army of a liberated Poland. He served as an Aide de Campe for Napoleon in the Spanish Campaign of 1808 and the Danube Campaign of 1809. Napoleon granted him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard for his outstanding performance on numerous confidential missions. Afterward, he served in the 1812 campaign and in the battles of 1813. In his memoirs, he wrote for the education of young gentlemen and describes how to conduct a successful charge, how to make a patrol, and the various intrigues of the Imperial Household that would force him to leave service in favor of his homeland.
Marty
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1229
Mark Adkin's 'Waterloo Companion'
Mark Adkin's mammoth 'Waterloo Companion' book would be a great read for anyone interested in the tactical workings of a Napoleonic battle. It is insanely detailed and beautiful look at, but shop around because you can get huge savings on the £40 GBP asking price. However the section on artillery is worth that price alone.
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 13389"The Emperor's Last Victory" by Gunther Rothenberg
...is worth reading if you are interested in the Battle of Wagram.
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073
Marshal Ney - The Bravest of the Brave by A.H.Atteridge
A terrific 1912 book has been reprinted: Marshal Ney - The Bravest of the Brave by A.H.Atteridge (Pen & Sword - Military)
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 180731805: Austerlitz by Robert Goetz
For those of you wanting to get a feel of battalions, brigades, etc., get 1805: Austerlitz by Robert Goetz. You'll learn new stuff.
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073
WATERLOO NEW PERSPECTIVES: The Great Battle Reappraised, by Williams
--a must read!
John Kettler
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 1026Napoleon's Great Adversaries: The Archduke Charles and Austrian Army, 1792-1814
by Gunther E. RothenbergI read this one some years ago and will reread it now with histwar coming up. All I can remember is that I enjoyed it then
__Yossarian0815[jby]
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 12045
"A Detailed Account of the Battle of Austerlitz" by the Austrian Major General Stutterheim. Publisher: Ken Trotman.
Being the anniversary of Austerlitz some of you may wish to obtain, "A Detailed Account of the Battle of Austerlitz" by the Austrian Major General Stutterheim. Publisher: Ken Trotman.
We are indebted to Ken for his reprints of these subjects. There is an original 1807 book of this title from other sources, available for those who collect first editions.This is the Austrian view of the event by probably the best "battlefield" general they possessed.
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073BATTLE OF WATERLOO: A New History, by Alessandro Barbero and John Cullen
I have just read it. Great book. Quick, simple with a lot of explanations on how units were fighting.
A very interesting section dedicated to cavalry charge.
And something interesting : No "national" point of view. only facts and tries of rational explanations of the events.Cantonese
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18358
Soult, Napoleon's Maligned Marshal" by Sir Peter Hayman
A terrific book, "Soult, Napoleon's Maligned Marshal" by Sir Peter Hayman may contribute to understanding this general's role in this period of history.
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073Austerlitz - Napoleon and the Eagles of Europe" by Ian Castle
Recommended.
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073
Napoleon and His British Captives
One of the MOST interesting books I have ever encountered on this era is Michael Lewis' "Napoleon and His British Captives"!
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073Mark Urban's Rifles
Mark Urban's Rifles is a great book, just finished reading it. it could have been a 100 pages longer though. It gives a great view on how life in the British army was.
Gunfreak
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 19638
David Gates The Spanish Ulcer
Good book. Actually, probbaly the best book I've read on the Penisular war
Berlichtingen
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 40Salamanca 1812 by Rory Muir
...has detailed maps as well as photos of the area for [the Peninsular War.]
lesterribles
Battlefront.com Discussion Forum Member # 18073
THE ART OF WAR by Antoine Henri De Jomini
Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
Battle Studies by Charles Jean Jacques Joseph Ardant Du Picq
Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
Civil War Generalship: The Art of Command by W. J. Wood
Recommended by Jean-Michel Mathé, designer of Histwar: Les Grognards
