Napoleonic book suggstions

[Delaware]

I am much more familiar with the American Civil War than I am with Napoleonic stuff. What books would you recommend for general reading for context of the time? I see Andrew Roberts "Napoleon: A Life" gets great reviews. I also have Zamoyski's books on 1812 invasion of Russia and the Congress of Vienna. Any other suggestions?

[76mm]

I'm no Napoleonic expert, but I thought that The Campaigns of Napoleon by Chandler was very good, and is considered a classic.

[typhoon]

The War of wars by Robert Harvey is one of my favs and of course there is always War and Peace to get you into the right frame of mind to begin a campaign as Russian.

[kosmoface]

1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow - Adam Zamoyski

Absolute page turner.

[Ironclad]

delete

[Ironclad]

ORIGINAL: 76mm

I'm no Napoleonic expert, but I thought that The Campaigns of Napoleon by Chandler was very good, and is considered a classic.

True. Nearly 50 years old but still the best book on Napoleon I have ever read and reread regularly. An outstanding account of Napoleon's practice, military genius and campaigns with superb battle maps.

[Arsan]

+1 for Chandler's The Campaigns of Napoleon. Awesome [&o]

[Steelers708]

Swords Around a Throne by John R. Elting is an excellent book on Napoleons Grande Armee.

[Kai]

Chandler's book is the best overall history.

For a really fun read, I can recommend Seven Men of Gascony, by Delderfield. It's historical fiction, and gives a good flavor of what it was like to be a soldier in Napoleon's army.

[Arsan]

ORIGINAL: Steelers708

Swords Around a Throne by John R. Elting is an excellent book on Napoleons Grande Armee.

That is very nice too! But maybe it's better for someone who already knows and likes the napoleonic period.
I read it after having read Chandlers book.

Another excellent entry level book would be The Battle by Alessandro Barbiero. It's about Waterloo, but it's a great book to understand how battles, campaigns and armies were back then. Very readable and objective.

Regards

[Delaware]

Wanted to throw out there "The Spanish Ulcer" and "Wellington's Rifles" by Mark Urban.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: Steelers708
Swords Around a Throne by John R. Elting is an excellent book on Napoleons Grande Armee.

I agree that this is a great book, but IIRC it is organized thematically (ie, each chapter covers a topic such as infantry, cavalry, engineers) so not the best book looking for an overview of the campaigns. But a great source for someone looking for detailed info about the Napolean's armies!

[typhoon]

This post also made me delve deep into the book cupboard and dig out Bruce Quarries excellent Napoleonic Wargames in Miniature whilst some of it does not apply some of the chapters offer a real good beginning to the Napoleonic Wars I especially enjoy the Generals and their summaries. Also glad of the nostalgia been years since I looked at it.

[Crimguy]

Campaigns of Napoleon - US $65 on Amazon . . . for the Kindle version!

[Uxbridge]

David Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon was a bible for me 30 years ago. If you can get the real book -- get it! If ever you get tired of reading it, you can always use it knocking out burglars.

[Citizen Emperor]

The most comprehensive study of a major Napoleonic campaign ever published in English...

1809: Thunder On the Danube by John H. Gill
Three Volumes:
I. Politics, Strategies and the Road to Abensberg-Eggmuhl
II. The Fall of Vienna and the Battle of Aspern
III. Wagram and Znaim

Absolutely EVERY aspect of Napoleon's 1809 campaign is covered in detail, from the insignificant small-unit actions to the decisive battles. Scores of OB tables and charts, and over 100+ maps!

[Marcus_Antonius]

The book below is currently 1.99 on Amazon (for Kindle).

ORIGINAL: Citizen Emperor

The most comprehensive study of a major Napoleonic campaign ever published in English...

1809: Thunder On the Danube by John H. Gill
Three Volumes:
I. Politics, Strategies and the Road to Abensberg-Eggmuhl
II. The Fall of Vienna and the Battle of Aspern
III. Wagram and Znaim

Absolutely EVERY aspect of Napoleon's 1809 campaign is covered in detail, from the insignificant small-unit actions to the decisive battles. Scores of OB tables and charts, and over 100+ maps!

[Aurelian]

ORIGINAL: a_gonatas

The book below is currently 1.99 on Amazon (for Kindle).

ORIGINAL: Citizen Emperor

The most comprehensive study of a major Napoleonic campaign ever published in English...

1809: Thunder On the Danube by John H. Gill
Three Volumes:
I. Politics, Strategies and the Road to Abensberg-Eggmuhl
II. The Fall of Vienna and the Battle of Aspern
III. Wagram and Znaim

Absolutely EVERY aspect of Napoleon's 1809 campaign is covered in detail, from the insignificant small-unit actions to the decisive battles. Scores of OB tables and charts, and over 100+ maps!

The first volume is.

[Ironclad]

Excellent value. Not sure how kindle will handle the maps though. Its a while since I read the trilogy even though its on my bookshelves, but I can remember some of the great maps needed the magnifier.

[Delaware]

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

Excellent value. Not sure how kindle will handle the maps though. Its a while since I read the trilogy even though its on my bookshelves, but I can remember some of the great maps needed the magnifier.

a reviewer of the Kindle version stated the maps are not included, though listed on the table of contents [&:]