Horricks describes Ney's first days as a soldier, fighting with the revolutionary armies and culminating in his great tenacity at Hohenlinden in 1800. He then delves into Ney's convoluted involvement with Napoleon, including his friendship with Josephine. As a marshal, he was the hero at Ulm, where an entire Austrian army under General Mack was forced to surrender, and later, the man who defeated the Russians at Friedland.