Waterloo: New Perspectives: The Great Battle Reappraised

Book Description

Critical acclaim for Waterloo: New Perspectives The Great Battle Reappraised.

"[T]he most important study of the Waterloo Campaign to have appeared in print for 150 years." —The Napoleonic Society of America.

"A meticulously detailed account of the Battle of Waterloo that sets right some of the errors and omissions of facts committed by earlier contemporary authors —recommended." —Library Journal.

"A superior account of the campaign—free of nationalist bias, thoroughly researched, and clearly written."—Booklist

"A thoughtful and dispassionate examination of the battle that brought Napoleon's power to an end ...a valuable addition to anyone's Napoleonic shelf." —The Washington Times.

Customer Reviews:

Reappraises All Partcipants.......2006-10-10

This book provides an excellent account of the entire Waterloo campaign and not just the Battle of Waterloo itself. The author touches on the injustices created by Siborne's model & account of the battle that badly portrayed the non-British contingents of the Allied army. Unfortunately, Sibornes account became accepted as historical fact.

The book briefly covers the demise of Napoleon in 1814 (and the treachery of key people in this), his return, and the intriguing political manoeurving and squabbling amongst the Allies at the Congress of Vienna. It was perhaps Napoleon's misfortune that the Allied leaders or representatives were gathered in one place to reach agreement on what action to take against him.

The author gives a good account of the initial French thrust into Belgium and the twin battles of Ligny & Quatre Bras. The author shows that Wellington's slow reaction to the invasion could have cost him dearly if troops of the Netherlands did not decide on their own initiative to hold the position at Quatre Bras. Marshal Ney is given more credit than what normally is given to him in that he had very little time to familiarize himself with his forces & disposition, and that his forces were still closing up to be able to launch an early attack on the Quatre Bras cross roads. However, it was probably Napoleon's biggest errors in not totally confiding with his Marshals, ultimately leading to the mishandling of d'Erlon's troops (that could have decisively defeated the Prussians at Ligny) and delaying the decision to pursue the defeated Prussians. The author also emphasizes Napoleon seems handicapped by the lack of presence of his old Chief of Staff.

The Battle of Waterloo itself is well covered off and the author draws on various accounts and references of the battle. The author gives credit where it is due, especially the non-British Allied forces whose actions are well covered and explained and thereby dispelling many myths that have arisen. In fact, all participants in the campaign are given good coverage and evaluation. Overall, the book shows how closely fought the Battle of Waterloo was, and that d'Erlon's main assault almost succeeded in breaking Wellington's line (if it wasn't for the perfect timing of the British cavalry that was Uxbridge's brilliance not Wellington's). There has been much controversy over the use of French cavalry charges, but as the author points out, Napoleon had nothing else but with to maintain pressure on Wellington's line and this had worked previously at Eylau against the Russians.

The books tends to show there are key moments of decision or indecision that may win or lose a battle/campaign. e.g. Rebecque's & Perpocher's decision to hold Quatre Bras, the tussle for the use of d'Erlon's troops at Quatre Bras or Ligny, the Prussian retreat to Wavre rather than along their lines of communication and supply, the delay in the pursuit of the Prussians, the perfect timing of British cavalry, the delay in the use of the Guard, Steinmetz attack at the hinge of Napoleon's army etc. Hamilton-Williams sums up that Napoleon lost the battle but ultimately his downfall was caused by the treachery of Tallyerand and Fouche in Paris and Napoleon's refusal to use force to ensure his power was maintained.

I found this to be an indepth, well researched analysis of the Waterloo campaign and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Justly Discredited or mere character assassination?.......2004-03-13

I purchased this book precisely because it is one one of the few volumes still in print with anything close to full coverage of the Waterloo campaign, and with more or less the least amount of identity politics. Despite all the author's plugging of his own books-to-come and his claims, which are a good deal too much for the dust jacket and all, the book collapses on simply being a reasonably accurate accurate account of (mostly) the battles of Quatre-Bras and Waterloo (among the French, British, and Dutch/German/Belgian allies). There simply isn't anything terribly new or controversial in his book and I disagree with Peter Hofschroer's remark about its content being thrown in doubt, all other issues with him notwithstanding. The content is still too derivative, too close to previous works and experience (the Siborne, for example) for that to be the case.

The interested reader is challenged to find another volume with the same amount of coverage of the Battle of Quatre-Bras, for example. The author, it appears in parts of the book, does not attempt as much coverage of those areas with which were not evidently well researched (The Prussian contibution, perhaps thus some of Mr Hofschroer's vitriolics). The author does indeed venture to make make his opinions and interpretations, some of which the reader has to take with a grain of salt, but that is his authorial prerogative. We see that Mr Hofschroer clearly enjoys his privilege as well. The author's account is, overall and despite the criticism, surprisingly balanced. The writing is usually good and entertaining. Hamilton-Williams account is by no means a "fiction." I still find his attempts a good deal more useful in guiding me a little closer to the truth than the massive omissions so common in other volumes still in print which purport to cover the Waterloo campaign.

Personally I am tired of hearing all the petty squabbling among historians, amateur and some (huh-hum) professional, over who really won Waterloo, and worse yet the endless bickering among pedantic source hunters. When the reader who has access to enough of the excellent volumes and materials on the subject becomes fairly expert enough, he or she can cross check the common stories, narratives, or sources of quotes, most often without having to be a source hunter. There is criticism, even polemics, and then there is character assassination. I have yet to find a reasonable published account which proves D. H-W deliberately falsified his written account anywhere of the Waterloo campaign. I will wait to hear the author defend himself first before I pass judgement.

Moreover, take with more than just a grain of salt the many unprofessional reviews made by one "Michael La Vean" on this and David Hamilton-Williams other page. They smack of cheap personal vendetta and not anything resembling reasonable criticism. One wonders if they were to research Mr La Vean's own claims (if that is his real name) as to his identity and credentials what would turn up, if anything. I do not believe that a fellow of the International Napoleonic society would engage in ceaseless juvenile ranting as he has done on this site, making such serious and unsupported claims of his own. Furthermore, his methods are of such a common variety internet persona that he almost seems as if to materialize again and again in the guise of a reader from West Point, or from Moscow, London, Brussels, or who knows what other place names with any relevence to matters of Napoleonic military history.

Justly Discredited or mere character assassination?.......2004-03-13

I purchased this book precisely because it is one one of the few volumes still in print with anything close to full coverage of the Waterloo campaign, and with more or less the least amount of identity politics. Despite all the author's plugging of his own books-to-come and his claims, which are a good deal too much for the dust jacket and all, the book collapses on simply being a reasonably accurate accurate account of (mostly) the battles of Quatre-Bras and Waterloo (among the French, British, and Dutch/German/Belgian allies). There simply isn't anything terribly new or controversial in his book and I disagree with Peter Hofschroer's remark about its content being thrown in doubt, all other issues with him notwithstanding. The content is too derivative, too close to common knowledge for that to be the case.

There is criticism, even polemics, and then there is character
assassination. I have yet to find a reasonable published account
which proves D. H-W deliberately falsified his account anywhere of the Waterloo campaign, or deliberately falsified his sources. I will wait to hear the author defend himself first before I pass judgement.

Moreover, take with more than just a grain of salt the many
unprofessional reviews made by one "Michael La Vean" on this and
David Hamilton-Williams other page. They smack of cheap personal
vendetta and not anything resembling reasonable criticism. One
wonders if they were to research Mr La Vean's own claims (if that is his real name) as to his identity and credentials what would turn up, if anything. I do not believe that a fellow of the International Napoleonic society would engage in such juvenile ranting as he has done on this site, making such serious and unsupported claims of his own. Furthermore, his methods are of such a common variety internet persona that he almost seems as if to materialize again and again in the guise of a reader from West Point, or from Moscow, London, Brussels, or who knows what other place names with any relevence to
matters of Napoleonic military history.

New Perspectives Indeed - An Invaluable Account of Waterloo.......2003-12-26

Having read everything I can on the Waterloo battle I still find this book to be absolutely essential. I've read the critics who fault the author on many levels but I must say that he answers several questions that literally no other author has thus far addressed.
1) Why did Picton die crying, "Rally the Highlanders?" Were not the British lines indestructable?
2) How did a few companies of British Guards hold Hougamont against most of a French corps? After all, didn't the German and Nassau troops flee in terror? (see Jac Weller et al)
3) Why did the French Army fall apart and flee for their lives when the Middle Guard was repulsed, yet most could not see farther than twenty feet on the smoke filled battle field? Could it have had something to do with Ziethen's advance, ignored even in the otherwise excellent 'Waterloo Companion'?
4) Did Napoleon really lie about Grouchy's arrival - or did the attack by the Prussians on the Nassau forces on Wellington's left make him think Grouchy truly had arrived?
Until at least one other author addresses these questions I submit that Hamilton Williams is the man to read. Not to mention the fact that his commentary reads like an adventure story and his account of the battle is quite simply the best so far written by anyone.
The attacks on H-W by Peter Hofshroyer should also be taken with a large grain of salt. I was shocked by that until I realized htat H-W stole a march on him by getting to print first with what was certainly the first English language account of the battle to give proper credit to the Dutch Belgians, Prussians and various Germans.
This book belongs in any serious military history collection and truly does offer a "new perspective".

An Excellent Account.......2003-11-25

Even though the author's credibility is being questioned, his account of the battle should not be as easily ignored. One should always remember that historical "facts" are always tainted by those who write them. After all, it is usually the victor who writes of the battles and campaigns, and there always seems to be a political motivation in "sprucing" up of the truth.

I would suggest to anybody wishing to purchase the book to use one's best judgement. To truly be able to judge an author's work, one must remain open to all possible ideas and points of view. In the case of this book I would take it for what it is, and then proceed to further study the conflict, and then draw a conclusion.

I would not recommend a complete dismissal of this title. I just strongly suggest that the reader remember that to all points there is a counter, and not everybody will share the same opinion on any topic. The book is worth reading, because it causes people to think, and opens discussion about an issue that may never be resolved to anybody's satisfaction.

Average customer rating:

Really Exciting Account of Waterloo

Excellent except for the maps

Like learning about the battle for the first time

Excellent Throughout

WATERLOO REVISITED

The Battle: A New History of Waterloo
Alessandro Barbero
Manufacturer: Walker & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

A vivid human and military history of the legendary battle

At Waterloo, some 70,000 men under Napoleon and an equal number under Wellington faced one another in a titanic and bloody struggle. In the end, as John Keegan notes, contemporaries felt that Napoleon's defeat had "reversed the tide of European history." Even 190 years later, the name Waterloo resounds.

Italian historian Alessandro Barbero's majestic new account stands apart from previous British and French histories by giving voice to all the nationalities that took part. Invoking the memories of British, French, and Prussian soldiers, Barbero meticulously re-creates the conflict as it unfolded, from General Reille's early afternoon assault on the chateau of Hougoumont, to the desperate last charge of Napoleon's Imperial Guard as evening settled in. From privates to generals, Barbero recounts individual miracles and tragedies, moments of courage and foolhardiness, skillfully blending them into the larger narrative of the battle's extraordinary ebb and flow. One is left with indelible images: cavalry charges against soldiers formed in squares; the hand-to-hand combat around farmhouses; endless cannon balls and smoke. And, finally, a powerful appreciation of the inevitability and futility of war.

To be published on the 190th anniversary of Waterloo, The Battle is a masterpiece of military history.

Customer Reviews:

Really Exciting Account of Waterloo.......2007-10-08

By trade, I'm a writer and training developer, and one of my mottos for my work is that "Context is everything". To take a 21st-century civilian reader and put him or her on a muddy battlefield in Belgium in 1815 requires a *lot* of context.

David McCullough would take thirteen hundred pages just to set the groundwork, and while it would be great reading, the reader would probably lose the sense of immediacy that a history of a major battle should have, I think.

That's why I'm so impressed with Barbero's work. The book is scholarly without being scholastic. It moves along energetically, yet fills in the necessary background and uses plenty of what Barbara Tuchman would call "corroborative detail" to make the experiences of individuals strike home.

It does not take a lot of imagination on the reader's part to picture events on the battlefield--confusing, chaotic, and deadly dangerous. In some ways I can't help but compare this book to the battle scenes in Tolstoy; there's a literary quality to the portrayal of the madness.

All in all, I found this book hard to put down.

Excellent except for the maps.......2007-10-05

The translation from the Italian is outstanding. The work reads like a novel and the short chapters makes for an easy put up and down without losing track of the narrative.

The lack of adequate maps and diagrams is particularly irritating and keeps me from giving a five star rating. I kept going back from the text to the maps and not being able to find and follow the action on the ground from the text.

Like learning about the battle for the first time.......2007-05-29

Alessandro Barbero connects events and characters, with insights into the tactics of the time and the pyschological and physical impact they had on the troops, so neatly that I felt I understood the battle for the first time.

The experiences of the common soldiers are brought vividly to life, and the tactics and respective capabilities of the sides are discussed very perceptively. The various chapters about of cavalry and light infantry were particularly interesting. The Prussians and Grouchy are also dealt with more intelligently than I had come across before. Grouchy and Ney are both given more credit than usual, with cogent reasoning to back it up.

In the process, much of the accepted wisdom on Waterloo, particularly as drawn from Bonaparte's own self serving justifications, is overturned.

Excellent Throughout.......2007-05-10

Barbero does an outstanding job of detailing each step of this great battle, yet holds the reader's interest throughout. He is not afraid to explore conflicting accounts and considers each thoughtfully. He mixes recountings on the grand scale with chilling individual recollections from the battlefield in a recounting that holds the reader, one page at a time, afraid on the one hand to miss a paragraph and yet on the other held spellbound the entire way.

By the author of THE SWAN: Tales of the Sacramento Valley

WATERLOO REVISITED.......2007-03-09

I have read several books about the battle. This book is a great review of the events of the day. I found a few things that were new. The role of the Prince of Orange is an example. I believe that there is a benefit to having another (other than British) point of view. I always believed that Napolean's use of the Old Guard at the end of the day was an act of desperation,but this presents that attack in a different light. I understand the battle much more thoroughly after reading this and I recommend the book.

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