Marengo and Hohenlinden
Napoleon's Rise to Power

Book

Reviewed by Jim Birdseye

Written by James R. Arnold, the book contains 301 pages, maps, illustrations, index notes, and bibliography. Arnold has done a superb job integrating the political, military and personal histories of one of the great watershed periods of history. Although the focus of the study is Bonaparte the work examines the political and military situations in Austria and France. Arnold makes it clear form the start that Napoleon's rise to power depends as much on his brilliance as it does on the decisions and actions of others. Moreau's Army of the Rhine plays a key role in solidifying Napoleon's political power in Paris with the victory at Hohenlinden as Napoleon's Army of Italy and Reserve Army do at Marengo earlier the same year. Arnold presents a balanced tale of men and armies and contributes significantly to our understanding of the period; his work is based heavily on primary sources and integrates Austrian and well as French accounts.

He is neither Francophile nor phobe and in an age when the Anglophiles dominate our understanding of the period it is refreshing to focus on the period in a way that presents Britain as an instigator but minor player. Arnold's treatment of Napoleon is even handed and as such shows a remarkable man capable of petty jealousy and great leadership skills at the same time. The author shows good insight into the political climate of the day and its impact on Napoleon's plans and actions. If the work has one major theme it is that Napoleon's rise to power was as much dependent on his skills and intellect as it was on the skills, weaknesses and efforts of others. Luck also played a key role. Arnold does a good job linking the political, strategic and tactical elements that made up the campaigns in Italy and Germany at the end of the 18th century.

He also has prepared a wonderful look at the nature of warfare and strategy at the beginning the "Napoleonic Wars". As a wargamer, academic, and history buff I can highly recommend this book, it is scholarly, yet easy and enjoyable to read. It includes an excellent set of orders of battle for both campaigns; it has good maps and descriptions of the battles fought as well as an excellent discussion of the leaders on the field. Arnold does yeoman's work describing the major engagements and the minor skirmishes, which will provide excellent scenarios for the tabletop. Action's such as Brenkopf's defense of Fort Bard on the exit of the St. Bernard Pass or Drouet's attack at Hohenlinden make for excellent small actions. If you are interested in this period, Napoleon, military history, political history, the French Revolution, or just an entertaining read you should consider this book. This is something you should hope to find under the tree in December! $38.00 plus $3.50 postage and handling directly from Jim at Napoleon Books, 616 Little Dry Hollow, Lexington, VA 24450 or from On Military Matters (see Advt elswhere in this issue for address). T.he book can be previewed at: www.napoleon.books.com

More Courier Reviews

Back to Table of Contents -- Courier #77
To Courier List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1999 by The Courier Publishing Company.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com