The Campaigns of Napoleon

by David G. Chandler, David G Chandler
The Campaigns of Napoleon cover
Good Books rating 4.38
History
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Hardback • £59.99
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  • ID: 6804
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9781439131039
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2009-12-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Esteemed Napoleon scholar David Chandler provides a masterful analysis of Napoleon's art of war, revealing the underlying principles of strategic maneuver and battlefield planning that led to his greatest victories. Through detailed examinations of each campaign, Chandler clarifies the methods and intellect behind Napoleon's military successes, turning historical figures into three-dimensional characters. /n/n This definitive work is not just for historians and students but also for the intelligent reader seeking to understand the complexities of Napoleonic war and the man behind the legend. Chandler's clear and vivid writing brings to life the ever-shifting kaleidoscope of moves and intentions that baffled and dazed Napoleon's opponents, leading to their catastrophic defeats.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-05
outstanding 4.50

The book is highly detailed and essential for those seriously interested in Napoleon and his military genius. It covers all of Napoleon's campaigns comprehensively.

This review highlights the outstanding level of detail in Chandler's book, making it an essential read for serious students of Napoleon. The comprehensive coverage of all of Napoleon's campaigns is particularly noted. The reviewer appreciates the depth of analysis and the insightful critique of Napoleon's military strategies. They find the book to be a masterful analysis that holds up well over time.

Quick quotes

    An outstanding level of detail makes this book an essential read for anyone seriously interested in Napoleon and his military genius.

    Chandler covers all of Napoleon's campaigns comprehensively.

    The book is highly detailed and essential for those seriously interested in Napoleon and his military genius.

Reddit - Napoleon · 2025-12-05
great 4.00

The book is praised for its engaging style and detailed coverage of Napoleon's campaigns. The author's approach makes it a great read for those interested in military history.

This reader found Chandler's book to be a great introduction to Napoleon's military campaigns. They appreciate the author's style, which makes complex military maneuvers accessible and engaging. The book is seen as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand Napoleon's strategic genius. They particularly enjoy how Chandler incorporates Napoleon's biography into the military narrative, providing a well-rounded perspective.

Quick quotes

    I have started reading David G. Chandler's book on Napoleon's campaigns and so far it's a great read.

    I like Chandler's style so very much.

    The book is praised for its engaging style and detailed coverage of Napoleon's campaigns.

The Past · 2022-09-05
classic 4.75

Chandler presents Napoleon as a gifted improviser with consistent principles underlying his operations. The book is seen as a classic in military history.

This reviewer sees Chandler's work as a classic in the field of military history. They appreciate how Chandler portrays Napoleon as a gifted improviser whose operations were guided by consistent principles. The book is praised for its insightful critique and analysis of Napoleon's art of war. The reviewer finds the book to be a masterful analysis that provides a deep understanding of Napoleon's military strategies and their development.

Quick quotes

    Chandler sees Napoleon as a gifted improviser whose operations were nonetheless underpinned by certain consistent principles.

    The Campaigns of Napoleon is a masterful analysis and insightful critique of Napoleon's art of war.

    Chandler presents Napoleon as a gifted improviser with consistent principles underlying his operations.

Map and Counters · 2009-05-03
vivid 4.25

The book is commended for its vivid and exciting portrait of Napoleon and his troops. It is considered a detailed and comprehensive analysis of Napoleon's military campaigns.

The reviewer from Map and Counters praises Chandler's book for its vivid and exciting portrayal of Napoleon as a soldier, his generals, and his troops. They highlight the detailed and comprehensive analysis of Napoleon's military campaigns, noting that the book presents a clear and insightful critique of his strategies. The review suggests that the book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, particularly the Napoleonic Wars. The integration of historical context with military analysis is noted as a strength, making the book both informative and engaging.

Quick quotes

    Without doubt, Chandler presents a vivid and exciting portrait of Napoleon the soldier, his generals, and his troops.

    The Campaigns of Napoleon is a masterful analysis and insightful critique of Napoleon's art of war.

    Chandler wrote it, I think, in the late 60s and yet it still holds up very well.

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