Name: Russia Against Napoleon
ISBN: 9780141984605

Dominic Lieven

The Battle for Europe, 1807 to 1814

Russia Against Napoleon

'Brilliant' MICHAEL GOVE, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'A historian's version of War and Peace . . . this is military history of a high order, plunging us into a world of dashing dragoons and bristling moustaches, in which the largest army ever assembled came to grief in the snow outside Moscow' DOMINIC SANDBROOK, DAILY TELEGRAPH, BOOKS OF THE YEAR In the summer of 1812 Napoleon, the master of Europe, marched into Russia with the largest army ever assembled, confident that he would sweep everything before him. Yet less than two years later his empire lay in ruins, and Russia had triumphed. This is the first history to explore in depth Russia's crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars, re-creating the epic battle between two empires as never before. 'A landmark book' ECONOMIST, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'A magnificent and outstanding tour-de-force . . . as exciting and sensitive as the most thrilling novel but packed with new revelations and vivid descriptions of savage battles, swashbuckling cavalrymen and towering personalities' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE, EVENING STANDARD 'Radically alters our assumptions about how Napoleon was beaten' ANDREW ROBERTS, DAILY TELEGRAPH, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'A monumental work' ORLANDO FIGS Shortlisted for the 2009 Duff Coper Prize

Bryan Alexander

A fine history of the epic 1812-1815 war between the Russia and French empires, Russia Against Napoleon rewards both the general reader and the student of the Napoleonic wars.

Dominic Lieven tells a vast story, beginning with Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, then the German wars of 1813 (which include the biggest battle in European history by that time), and concluding with the 1814 invasion of France and (first) defeat of Napoleon. Readers new to this subject will be well treated by Lieven's combination of good organization, narrative skill, and attention to historical actors.

The book's main achievement is to recast the events from a Russian perspective. Lieven makes a convincing case for tsar Alexander I's leadership and strategic thinking, both in military affairs and especially in diplomacy. Alexander conceived of a massive, sustained war, which became
the longest campaign in European history, in less than two years the Russian army had marched from Vilna to Moscow and then all the way back across Europe to Paris. (513). Alexander did so despite the different wishes of part-time allies, notably Austria, who did not always want to end Napoleon's rule. Indeed, Alexander, his advisors, and his generals appear as the leading strategic force of the late Napoleonic period:One key reason why Russia defeated Napoleon was that its leaders out-thought him.(526)
 In short, Lieven returns Russia to a central role in the Napoleonic period.

Narratively, this means several things. First, Russia Against Napoleon spends time showing the build up and maturation of the Russian army over time, developing through horrific experience into a world-class fighting machine. Readers may be familiar with accounts celebrating the defensive ferocity of Russian forces opposing the invaders in 1812, but less aware of those forces' improvements in 1813-14. Details here may blur in the mind of a reader new to the period, but are worth absorbing. Second, the book offers a rich and powerful treatment of the 1812 invasion, including good observations about Russia's grand strategy. Third, this means a Russian-centric view of the 1813 and 1814 campaigns, which I found welcome after reading many accounts emphasizing the French and German roles.

Lieven concludes by seeing Russia's triumph as a sign of the ancien regime's potency in the face of modernity. This is a powerful corrective to a progressive reading of history, and also a useful glimpse into Russian culture and its fondness for autocracy. It also lets us take seriously Alexander's achievement in areas usually seen as wins for modernity: espionage, logistical support, and organizational overhauls.

Russia Against Napoleon is also superbly grounded in Russian primary sources. Lieven immersed himself in Russian archives, especially those available after the USSR's fall, giving many rich supports to his narrative and argument.

Let me add one additional item of praise in favor of the book's maps. I'm very picky about historical works and their cartographic presentation. All too often books' maps are incomplete, hard to read, or don't serve the text. In contrast Russia Against Napoleon offers maps that are a joy for the reader: clear to read and well linked to the text. I could always find where actions took place - this is all too rare, and merits an additional star. 

Recommended.

Russia Against Napoleon The Battle for Europe, 1807 to 1814

Reviews