The book provides a comprehensive account of Napoleon's 1812 campaign, offering a dual perspective from both French and Russian viewpoints. It is praised for its detailed research and emotional depth, though some critics note a lack of strategic detail and occasional hindsight bias.
Moscow 1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March by Adam Zamoyski offers a substantial and well-researched account of the 1812 campaign, providing a dual perspective from both French and Russian viewpoints. Reviewers appreciate the depth of research and the emotional depth brought to the narrative, highlighting the human stories behind the military strategy. The book is praised for its readability and the historian's ability to explain complex terminology, making it accessible for beginners. However, some critics note that the book lacks detailed strategic and tactical information, which is better covered in other works. Additionally, there are criticisms of occasional hindsight bias and the tendency to muddle individual vignettes. Despite these drawbacks, the book is highly regarded for its portrayal of the human suffering during the campaign and its ability to bring the historical event to life.
Quick quotes
As much as you could want from the topic you get here in this substantial account of the 1812 campaign.
This book is well worth reading for making clear the human suffering throughout the campaign, but needs to be balanced with more critical history.
Geschichte sehr lebendig erzählt. Das Buch ist voller Zeitzeugenaussagen, die das ganze Grauen dieses Krieges mit erlebbar macht.