by A.F. Becke. Published by Greenhill (1995). ISBN 1- 85367-206-8, 320 pages, 6 sketches, 5 maps. Price £ 19.95

It is only to be expected that in the 180th anniversary year of Waterloo there would be a concerted campaign of publication by many of the leading Book Publishers in this country. This particular work opened the campaign by being published on 16 June, in time for another event taking place somewhere in Belgium as I recall.

Napoleon and Waterloo was first published in 1936, and this edition was revised and rewritten from the author's Napoleon and Waterloo published in two volumes in 1914. When it was rewritten in 1936 it was a new study of the Waterloo Campaign. Since that date there have been many 'new studies' of this period in history, and so perhaps this work has now been swallowed up amongst the other books on the written on the subject. However, this does not detract from what is a detailed account of the events of 1815.

The book begins with Napoleon's return from Elba and his assumption of power in France, and the preparations for war, including his plans for the defence of the country. While Becke's work gives details of the campaign that can be found elsewhere, he does analyse Napoleon's strategy, and argues that one great defect of the Arm6e du Nord was one of quantity. Too many troops were locked up in purely secondary theatres.

Napoleon was not in 1815 the man he was in say, 1806. As Becke states: 'The fate of France was jeopardized before a shot was fired'. Napoleon's mistakes are analysed, including his choice of subordinates. Davout should never have been left in Paris, as he would have been the ideal man to fight the Prussians. Murat should have been given employment as commander of the cavalry invading Belgium. While these 'what ifs' have been looked at in other works, Becke does present the arguments in a clear style.

The intelligence available to all the Generals is discussed, together with the handling of the armies. Napoleon's orders to his subordinates are analysed with reference to the sketches at the beginning of the book illustrating each stage of the campaign. The one aspect of this book that is of interest is the continual analysis of each action and its relationship to the final outcome of the campaign. The imprecise instructions given to Grouchy to pursue the Prussians after Ligny; the detachment of troops at Hal under Prince Frederick; the lack of close cavalry support for D'Erlon's assault are given detailed examination. The work ends with comments on such topics as the fighting qualities of British and KGL troops in 1815; an analysis of Grouchy's conduct; and a look at the Emperor in 1815. Appendices detailing the troops engaged in the campaign are included, but only a very short bibliography of works consulted in the writing of this book.

Napoleon and Waterloo by Becke is an interesting work. If you have an interest in this campaign and do not possess a copy of the 1936 edition then Greenhill have done you a great favour by making it readily available. However, given the choice I would purchase the History of the Waterloo Campaign by Siborne, as being of more value in the study of the events of 1815.

More Book Reviews

Napoleon's Children
Napoleon and Waterloo: The Emperor's Campaign with the Armee du Nord 1815
History of the Waterloo Campaign
Napoleon and Waterloo
The Fall of Napoleon