Quote:
Originally Posted by CRussel
In reading some other works, Marshall Ney is treated about in the middle here. Some want to put all the blame on Napoleon, some all on Ney. Cornwell seems to fall somewhere in the middle, blaming both. What is fairly clear is that had Ney done what Napoleon thought he was doing, the battle might have been very different.
I'm still listening to this on Audible, so I won't likely finish before we get into next month's book, but my intent is definitely to finish it. I knew a certain amount about the battle, and the history of both Wellesley and Napoleon, but only from reading peripheral things.
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Thanks for the input on Ney. I do think Cornwell does an excellent job of showing to what extent fortune, given factors that couldn't be controlled, or controlled or adjusted for imperfectly, could tip a battle either way. I'm reminded of how Eisenhower had two different messages prepared to announce the D-Day invasion.
For you, or for anyone else who might be listening to this, it would be worthwhile seeing if you could borrow a hard copy from the library, just to see the gorgeous color plates of contemporary and near contemporary depictions of the battle. I read the ebook, but opened it on my laptop so I could see the illustrations in full color and detail.