Osprey Essential Histories 3 : The Napoleonic Wars (1) : The Rise of the Emperor 1805-1807

When he proclaimed himself Emperor of France, in May 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte, personified everything that the monarchies of Europe opposed. They could not rest while the son of the French Revolution reigned. While Napoleon built and trained his army on the coast of France preparing for an invasion of England that would never come, Russia and Austria prepared to move against his rear. Napoleon would turn on the allies and crush them in one of history's greatest campaigns. He would, the following year, meet the legendary army of Frederick the Great; annihilate it so completely no one could remember a precedent. The year after it was Russia's turn again, and though the northern winter was the major foe, it could not save the Tsar. The world, and warfare, would never be the same again. The Empires of Russia, Austria, Prussia and Britain were not weak. How had Napoleon done this? Why were his methods, and his army, different? Text by Todd Fisher.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War
• Warring Sides
• Outbreak
• The Fighting
• Portrait of a Soldier
• The World around War
• Portrait of a Civilian
• How the War Ended
• Conclusion and Consequences