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

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

Its still a good quote :)

Betsy wrote: "In 1804 Napoleon made several comments in Mme. de Remusat's presence about the Bourbons: "A kingdom is not got back by date in a letter from London, and signing it 'Louis.'. Nevertheless, such a le..."

Very interesting post Betsy, I haven't read that quote before.

Betsy wrote: "Observation from 1803: "The French nation placed confidence in Bonaparte of a kind like that which some credulous minds feel in magic; and, as his success was believed infallible, it was not diffic..."

Sounds like some thought they were caught between a rock and a hard place!

"A New World Begins" - The author quotes Edmund Burke from his book; "Reflections on the Revolution in France" which was published in November 1790:

"Burke had followed events in France closely for many years. He knew the weaknesses of the old monarchy, but he was convinced that its institutions should have been reformed rather than being completely overthrown. 'You began ill, because you began by despising everything that belonged to you,' he told the French. Above all, he criticized the revolutionaries for trying to create an entirely new system based on abstract philosophical principles defined by reason. In Burke's view, human reason was too fallible to serve as a guide in politics, and society was too complex to be remade overnight. 'We are afraid to put men to live and trade each on his own private stock of reason, because we suspect that the stock in each man is small,' he wrote. 'The nature of man is intricate; the objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity.'

The theory of natural rights, in Burke's view, was bound to lead to destructive anarchy. 'Their abstract perfection is their practical defect,' he insisted. The real purpose of government was to satisfy human wants or needs, and 'among these wants is to be reckoned the want ... of a sufficient restraint upon their passions,' which required an authority that could stand up to public opinion rather than following its dictates. The exercise of such authority was made tolerable, according to Burke, by the time-honored rituals and beliefs - such as the sacredness of monarchy - even if they were in the category of 'pleasing illusions'. His indignation rose to a peak in a celebrated passage about the assault on Marie-Antoinette during the October Days of 1789: 'I had thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult,' he wrote. 'But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded; and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever'. Convinced that the principles of the Revolution contradicted the realities of social life, Burke predicted that the French would end up executing their king; that their new paper currency, the assignat, would become worthless; and that they would succumb to a military dictatorship, prophecies that would all eventually be fulfilled."

A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution by Jeremy D. Popkin

Great passage Scott, the author seems to be enjoying telling the story, with great gusto!

Scott wrote: "The French Revolution: A History
More of Carlyle’s lyrical descriptions of the starving masses in the face of grinding poverty:

‘Man is not what one calls a happy animal; his appetit..."

Great post!

I have found the book; "A New World Begins" quite an interesting read and very enjoyable. I have found some books on the French Revolution get bogged down in the minutiae of the various factions and characters involved. The author of "A New World Begins" has provided a clear and easy to read narrative of the people and events so far. I've gone from the 'Flour War' now to the 'Day of Tiles':

https://erenow.net/modern/achronicleo...

https://worldhistoryproject.org/1788/...

https://www.thoughtco.com/day-of-tile...

I hope it gets better Betsy, keep us posted.

Great post Scott, I really liked that quote from the book. It does sound though that it would take some time to adjust to the style of writing but once you have adjusted yourself to the writing it becomes a joy to read. The issue about no background/introduction to some of the players in the Revolution could be a bit annoying.

The author of; "A New World Begins" has provided some details on the 'Flour War' that had a major impact on the events of the French Revolution.

"A series of riots in the villages and countryside around Paris began in the Spring of 1775. The fall grain harvest had been poor and the government of the newly-crowned King Louis XVI put in place policies that led to skyrocketing prices, creating discontent around Paris and eventually setting the stage for the taking of the Bastille."

The Flour War:
https://www.history.com/news/bread-fr...

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-c...

Here is a pretty interesting story from the book; "A New World Begins":

"The subjects of the king of France expected the royal government to settle their local quarrels and protect their lives and property. In 1764 and 1765, for example, when marauding wolves killed several dozen peasants in a remote central region, the local authorities appealed to Versailles, which dispatched a royal huntsman to purse 'the beast of Gévaudan'."

The beast of Gévaudan:
https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2...

https://www.history.com/news/beast-ge...

Here is a new release from the Czech Republic that may be of interest to some group members:

Wellington: The Road to the Lion's Mound 1769 - 1815 by Daniel Res
Description:
Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound is the story of the 1st Duke of Wellington, the man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo and became a celebrated hero not only in Britain and Europe, but throughout the world. Daniel Res tells the gripping tale of Wellington's exploits, giving the book an almost novel-like readability. In it we discover the story of Wellington's youth in Ireland, his shaky beginnings in politics and the army, his first military success in India and his crucial engagements with Napoleonic France on the Iberian Peninsula as he fights his way from there to the south of France in 1814 - all events which culminate in the Battle of Waterloo the following year. Res presents Wellington not only as an ingenious commander, but also as a sensitive man, one often shaken by the realities and horrors of war. Wellington is revealed to be an excellent horseman, a passionate reader, a gentleman, an impeccable organizer, perfectionist and workaholic, as well as being a Conservative politician with a notably British sense of humour. The author also recounts something of Wellington's wooing of and marriage to Catherine 'Kitty' Pakenham, a story likened by contemporaries to Odysseus and Penelope. This provides the reader with insight into Wellington's development from a 'dreamy, idle and shy lad', an often lovelorn and unrestrained youth, to a man of principle with strong personal convictions and values. The book's title - Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound - has been inspired by the monument that today stands on the battlefield of Waterloo and symbolizes the Duke's personal journey.

From a scholarly perspective, Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound offers up an interesting hypothesis concerning the creation of the Lines of Torres Vedras, and discusses in detail the connection between Wellington's campaigns and the activities of his Intelligence Service, casting fresh light on many of the Duke's crucial decisions. However, Res's primary contribution to the subject as an historian operating outside the Anglosphere is the addition of a richly detailed Central European context to the topic as well as new sources from the Czech and German languages. For instance, Res points to the rather surprising fact that Wellington did not consider Napoleon to be the best commander of his era, but rather the Austrian commander Archduke Charles, who was also the first man to defeat Napoleon in the field of battle. In the final chapter, Res provides an analysis of Anglo-Austrian relations in the Napoleonic Era. Here we encounter Wellington's correspondence with a member of the Bohemian nobility, Marshal Karl Philipp of Schwarzenberg, a figure who led the allied troops to victory over Napoleon at Leipzig. The book also tells the remarkable tale of the 'Black Brunswickers', who banded together in Nachod, Czech Republic and fought their way through to join Wellington's forces in Portugal. Rich in colour and texture, as well as supported by a wealth of illustrations, Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound seeks to be a useful new addition to the plethora of books about one of history's most remarkable commanders.

Very interesting post MR9, some years back I read this book on the comte de Guibert and his role in providing the foundation blocks for Napoleon's Grande Armee:

Guibert: Father of Napoleon's Grande Armée by Jonathan Abel

I also read this book on Napoleonic artillery sometime back:

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars by Kevin F. Kiley

I've decided to read; "A New World Begins" as my theme book. The first chapter has been quite good so that holds promise for a good read.

A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution by Jeremy D. Popkin

I am tossing up between these two books for this month's theme:

The Bayonets of the Republic: Motivation and Tactics in the Army of Revolutionary France, 1791-1794 by John A. Lynn

A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution by Jeremy D. Popkin

Scott wrote: "My read is the classic...The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle.
I might get a head-start as it is in three volumes ..."

I think you are entitled to a head start with 3 volumes :)

Manray9 wrote: "I need to get to --

[book:Twelve Who Ruled: The Year of the Terror in the French Revolution|1..."

Sounds like a real classic book MR9, hopefully it will be an engaging read.

I have set up the theme read page for October. The theme is any book or books of your choice, which can include a novel, that covers any aspect of The French Revolution and/or War in the Vendée:

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

The October theme is any book or books of your choice, which can include a novel, that covers any aspect of The French Revolution and/or War in the Vendée.

A very interesting post MR9, Napoleon certainly knew how to motivate his men and with the long periods of conflict that plagued his empire there was bound to be a lot of opportunities for advancement!