Osprey Battles and Histories : Waterloo : The Hundred Days (1997)

The Battle of Waterloo is without doubt one of the most decisive encounters in history. Wellington's victory marked the end of the career of one of the greatest and most charismatic leaders of all time, Napoleon Bonaparte: it also signalled a crucial change in the balance of power in Europe that was to have critical consequences for the rest of the world. Yet the story of Napoleon's return from Elba and his dramatic seizure of power - even if for a mere 'hundred days' - is more than just the dry bones of history. It is a great adventure story, as David Chandler's account makes clear. Not only does the author provide a blow-by-blow account of the battle itself - one based on more than 20 years of study and research - but he also examines key aspects such as the organisation of both the French and the Allied armies, their tactics, strategy, and weaponry, and their commanders' personalities. In addition, David Chandler examines two often neglected themes; the internal guerrilla resistance to Napoleon by the French themselves, and the Napoleonic legacy to France and the rest of the world.

Contents

• Introduction
• A European Crisis
• A Trio of Great Generals
• The Rival Armies
• The Campaign Opens
• The Fluctuations of Fortune
• Waterloo and Wavre - Preparations and Plans
• Waterloo and Wavre - The Early Stages
• Waterloo and Wavre - The Final Crises
• Aftermath
• The Legacy of Waterloo
• Appendices
• Select Bibliography
• Index