Napoleonic Wars: A Captivating Guide to the Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812 (Military History) Paperback – Illustrated, December 30, 2019

:Book Review Written January 7, 2020Napoleonic Wars A Captivating Guide to the Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812, By Captivating HistoryKindle Edition (186 Pages)This is a concise history of the Napoleonic Wars and the U.S. War of 1812 presented in two volumes. The accounts are focused on the turbulent period in world history that followed the 1789 French Revolution which triggered 25 years of nearly constant armed conflict between France, and most of the major nations of Continental Europe, The British Empire, and eventuality the U.S. The warfare finely culminated with the defeat of French Army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, by a coalition of European armies led by the British Empire 's Lord Wellington, at the Battle of Waterloo (Belgium) in 1815. It is important to note that the warfare in Europe was a factor in the U.S. decision to declare war on the British Empire in 1813.The first volume is a thoughtful, well written chronicle of the 25 year military conflicts between France and a coalition of European nations led by England. The later part of this period is known to history as the Napoleonic Wars. Events discussed in this account include: the French Revolution and Post-Revolution France; the French Revolutionary Wars; the political rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the rise of Bonapartism; the Napoleonic Wars; and the decline and defeat Napoleon. The narrative, was well researched and contains extensive footnotes, while providing an excellent analysis and keen insights into this important period in world history.The second volume is an account of the events associated with the United States of America's armed conflict with the British Empire in the early 19th Century. In retrospect, the decision by U.S. to declare war on the British Empire, appears an act of great hubris. At the time the U.S. possessed only a small, militia based Army, and a tiny Navy, while Britain was an acknowledged military superpower, boosting a large, battle hardened, and veteran standing Army and the most powerful Navy in the world. The skillfully organized and well written narrative chronicles the war's critical aspects, beginning with a brief overview of the factors leading to war, followed by brief biographies of the most important leaders on both sides, statistics related to the forces involved in the fighting and the manpower losses sustained during the war. The author also provides an excellent timeline of the war, which an excellent tool to enhance the reader's understanding regarding the conduct of the war. The narrative continues with detailed discussion describing the war's conduct, organized around the events that occured chronologically in each of the major theaters, including: the U.S. force's three invasions of Canada , battles fought in the western frontier; the War in the East including the British Army's invasion on the east coast and burning of Washington D.C., the Creek War, and General Jackson's conquest of Spanish forces in Florida, and the British Army at the Battle of New Orleans; the successful battles fought by the U.S. Navy throughout the course of the War; and finally closing with insightful discussion of the peace negotiations conducted in Ghent, Belgium, which resulted in ending the hostilities. The author's exceptional narrative style describes these events in an interesting and conversational written manner, that captures the remarkable saga of America's final battles with England and it's impact on both countries subsequent histories..This book provides an excellent, straight forward account that is easy to read and understand. It was thoroughly researched, concise, informative, well written and presented with an unbiased perspective. The narrative is extremely engaging and enjoyable to read.This book provides an excellent, straight forward narrative that is easy to read and understand. It was well researched and written. Aside from some editing problems i n Chapter 1 and 2, in the volume on the Napoleonic Wars , the narrative is extremely engaging and enjoyable to read. The author provides excellent insights regarding the political, economic, and cultural impacts of Napoleon's government and England's strategies that led to the eventual victory over Bonaparte. Further, his analysis of Bonaparte's tactics and strategies were particularly insightful and Fascinating. In the Volume on the War of 1812, the author provides excellent insights regarding the political, economic, social, and cultural impacts of War of 1812. Further, his analysis regarding the effects the War had on future relations between Native Americans and the Federal government and most U.S.. citizens was particularly insightful and Fascinating. I strongly recommend this book to any reader that is at least a little curious about history or whom enjoys a good, nonfiction story. I really enjoyed this book because of the quality of the narrative and the information it provides.

This book is a good read and does an excellent job condensing the many events and personnel that were relevant to the war.

A lot of information in these two books. They have information that you might not have known about this time period and conflicts. Great reading.

NAPOLEONIC WARS - see separate review for The War of 1812While there IS lots of information, the presentation is a chore to read. This one is a disappointing contribution from Captivating History as it's screaming out for an Editor. It's peppered with odd expressions, duplications, odd grammar and punctuation; combined with some aspects in minute detail, while other significant events are glossed over; and so on and on….The book is titled: 'The Napoleonic Wars' but the actual subject 'Beginning of the Napoleonic Wars' is not addressed until Chapter 5. It's preceded by lots of 'setting-up' filler.Chapter 2 summarises the situation , but in a rather haphazard fashion which is awkward to follow - like the glossing over of the executions of French royalty.There's comments like: "…. Napoleon's brilliant execution of his ingenious tactics and strategies that baffled his opponents…" but no actual explanation of the tactics.There's also no explanation of the process whereby Napoleon actually became 'emperor'.The first 'abdication' and exile to Elba ( and escape) just happens, and the same applies with the second exile to Saint Helena (no 'escape', of course!)!**** for content, but lost a * due to presentation.KEEP UP THE GREAT SERIES!

Good history

This book reads like a stoned high schooler paraphrasing Wikipedia wrote it under a time constraint. Speaking of which, try to find information on the author of you can. This book is written so poorly I promise you will not finish more that two chapters.

As always a solid overview of the Napoleonic Wars, and this bundle includes The War of 1812, both worth reading. I liked the inclusion of the pre Napoleonic Era French Revolution, and Napoleon's part in it, especially as his spring board to Emperor. This usually gets little coverage in history classes. Worth the tome, check it out.

How can you write a history of the Napoleonic Wars with not one map?Don't buy, save your money!