'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 13, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE NAPOLEONIC WARS group.

"A History of the Peninsular War" - I have just finished reading the chapter covering the Battle for Saguntum in 1811, a very dismal performance by the Spanish forces.

A good account of the Battle of Saguntum:
http://napitalia.org.uk/eng/sag1.shtml

Battle of Saguntum:
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/...

Betsy wrote: "Early on in Zamoyski's book is this succinct and telling description of Napoleon: "Napoleon was in large measure driven by nothing more complicated than the lust for power and domination over other..."

Some things never change :)

An interesting footnote to the Preface of "A History of the Peninsular War, volume V, October 1811-August 31, 1812: Valencia, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid" which was first published in 1914:

"Note. - When every page of the text, appendices, and index of this volume has been printed off, and the final proofs of the preface are passing through my hands, comes the news that Great Britain is most unexpectedly involved in a war to which there can be no parallel named save the struggle that ended just a hundred years ago. May her strength be used as effectively against military despotism in the twentieth as it was in the nineteenth century." - Aug. 5, 1914.

October 1811-August 31, 1812: Valencia, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid by Charles William Chadwick Oman

I'm thinking of reading Sir Charles Oman's fifth book on the Peninsular War as I slowly make my way through the series.

October 1811-August 31, 1812: Valencia, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid by Charles William Chadwick Oman

I really enjoyed "1812" by Adam Zamoyski so I hope you find it a great account as well. I will be keen to hear what you think of Maximilian Foy's account.

The December theme page is now open for discussion/comment. The theme for this month is the edges of Napoleon's empire, Russia and Spain. So go grab a book that covers one of those campaigns and join in the fun :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The December 2020 theme read is any book or books of your choice, including novels, that covers the edges of Napoleon's Empire: Russia and/or Spain.

I received this e-mail this morning and place an order straight away:

We are pleased to report that October Triumph: Napoleon’s Invasion of Germany 1806, Jena and Auerstädt is now available exclusively through our website. See:

https://napoleonbooks.com/october-tri...

This completes the 1806-1807 battle trilogy. Like its siblings, it is a high-quality hardback coming in at 392 pages. We used a domestic printer who did a fine job meeting our standards of top notch binding, quality paper, and cover so the book will meet the test of time. It cost more than off-shoring, but in these times it seemed to be the right thing to do to support a small local business.

We decided on a much smaller print run than for our past books, so if you are interested we recommend placing your order soon. For American customers: we are reasonably confident that if you order soon it will arrive by Christmas. However, as everyone knows, the Post Office has been stressed by the virus and is operating more erratically than in normal times. For overseas customers: postage has risen to outrageous levels. In appreciation of the worldwide support we have received from our readers, we are absorbing a higher percentage of this cost. We are also open to shipping proposals, like a club or group of friends combining their orders and then handling local distribution. Just contact us.

At all events, Roberta (“Packing and Shipping”) and I wish you and yours all the best for the holiday season. May 2021 be a better, happier year for all.

James R. Arnold

Napoleon Books

Al wrote: "Just started this:

The Peninsular War: A New History"

Hi Al, I hope you like the book as much as I did, keep us all posted.

Sorry to hear that Thomas has got the better of you, but it was a worthy struggle!

I loved those quotes you provided, especially the one about Inspector Malseigne :)

Manray9 wrote: "A new arrival today. Not quite Napoleonic, but a novel of the Reign of Terror.

The Gods Will Have Blood by Anatole France."

I hope its an exciting an enjoyable account MR9.

Very interesting post MR9! First I've heard that the executions during the Terror were exaggerated but I suppose when you put it into context with those figures quoted it doesn't sound that bad (except like you said if you were one of those selected to die!). I have read about the brutality of the Terror down in Nantes.

Manray9 wrote: "From R. R. Palmer's Twelve Who Ruled: The Year of Terror in the French Revolution.

Palmer wrote of the Jacobins of the Committee of Public Safety --

History is full of ironic situ..."

Very interesting post MR9, a chain of events that led to some unintended consequences.

Sorry to hear you didn't get any further into understanding Josephine but at least you learnt something a bit more about the social life of the court :)

I really liked this passage which you quoted from your book MR9:

"But Artois expected to be transported and maintained by His Majesty's government in a manner befitting a royal highness and the émigrés in London, when asked to form an army, were noticeably backward in volunteering. All were dependent on the British, whom they repelled by their voluble lightheadedness."

And men died to put these people back on the throne of France!

Great post MR9! Poor old Alsace, caught between two waring factions for so long.

Exactly what MR9 said!

Manray9 wrote: "From Twelve Who Ruled: The Year of Terror in the French Revolution by R. R. Palmer.

Palmer on France at the time of the Terror:

Everywhere voices were heard demanding unity, and d..."

Very true MR9, great post!

Betsy wrote: "Mme. de Remusat has now come to the fateful years 1807/1808 when Napoleon made his move on the Iberian Peninsula. The following commment is illustrative of his delusions about what will be known as..."

Napoleon was certainly right in regards to the issues that plagued, he just didn't think the people would be so objectionable to change :)

Manray9 wrote: "From Twelve Who Ruled: The Year of Terror in the French Revolution by R. R. Palmer.

In 1793, the Committee of Public Safety purged the officer corps of the French Army. The axe was..."

Very informative and interesting post MR9. Imagine what our history books would be like to read without the names of those men and the accounts of their actions!