Cassell, 2002, $14.95, ISBN 0-304-35983-1, 240 pages, paperback

Another Cassell History of Warfare book...another success.

Rothenberg weaves the Napoleonic Era (1792-1815) into such a tight-knit tale I finished this book off in one sitting. He traces the rise and fall of Napoleon so well, this should almost be required reading.

When you take such a high-level view, there's the danger of losing perspective. Yet the text delves into the acts and bolts of pivotal Napoleonic battles, master strokes of campaigns, and ultimate Allied victory. It examines what made the various armies tick and how Napoleon exploited his opponents' weaknesses as he conquered Europe from Madrid to Moscow.

And when Napoleon missteps, Egypt and Russia for example, Rothenberg explains the intricacies of errors as well as the Allied efforts to learn from past mistakes.

The usual plentiful supply of maps, paintings, and other illustrations dot the text.

All in all, another marvelous book in the series.

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