Russia Against Napoleon by Dominic Lieven
This book tells the story of one of the most astonishing dramas in Europe's history. In the summer of 1812 after years of uneasy peace, Napoleon, the master of almost the whole continent, marched into Russia with the largest army ever assembled, confident that he would sweep everything before him. Less than two years later the Russian army was itself marching into Paris and Napoleon's empire lay in ruins. Using an array of new, rare and surprising sources, Dominic Lieven writes with great panache and insight to describe from the Russians' viewpoint how they went from retreat, defeat and the burning of Moscow to becoming the new liberators of Europe. He conveys the savagery and valour of the fighting (including such huge set-pieces as the Battle of Leipzig), the often tense diplomacy that held together the Allied coalition against Napoleon and the astonishing feats of supply which allowed the Russian army to cut its way across Europe. The consequences of these events could not have been more important: after a whole generation of fighting, Europe (except for the brief coda of Waterloo) was at peace and France's global pretensions at an end. But the great winners, Britain and Russia, now presented new nightmares for the rest of the world. Much more than just battlefield history, "Russia Against Napoleon" is also the story of how Russia's home front was mobilised against Napoleon and how much the Russian people suffered in pursuit of victory. It is too the story of one of the most successful espionage operations in history. Ultimately this book shows, memorably and brilliantly, Russia embarking on its strange, central role in Europe's existence, as both threat and protector - a role that continues, in all its complexity, into our own lifetimes.
(He creates) an historic canvas that is both overwhelming and meticulous.. he inevitably touches the nerve points of modern power politics. The Economist A compulsive read. This master storyteller and scholar has written an instant classic that is awesome, remarkable and exuberant. -- Simon Sebag Montefiore The Scotsman An essential reference ... the Princess would have approved. The Spectator (An) erudite, monumental piece of historial research ... it's a great tale with a clear argument, baked by an impressive array of sources and detail. -- Charles Clover Financial Times A superbly crafted book -- Alexander M. Martin TLS Lieven tells it with all the verve of the enthusiast and the erudition of the fine scholar he is ... The result is a balanced, informed and entirely convincing explanation of how Russia was able to defeat the Napoleonic empire. It is also a perfect marriage of scholarship and engaging narrative that fills a yawning gap in the historiography of the period, while entertaining the reader Adam Zamoyski, Standpoint A lucid and detailed account -- Geoffrey Hosking London Review of Books
Dominic Lieven has spent many years studying Imperial Russia and is the author of the highly praised Empire: The Russian Empire and Its Rivals. Russia Against Napoleon won the Wolfson History Prize 2010. He is Professor of Russian Government at the London School of Economics. He lives in London.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780713996371 |
| ISBN 10 | 0713996374 |
| Title | Russia Against Napoleon |
| Author | Dominic Lieven |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Penguin Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2009-10-01 |
| Number of pages | 672 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |