Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany
The Franco-Prussian War of 1813

The first comprehensive history of the Fall Campaign that determined control of Central Europe following Napoleon's catastrophic defeat in Russia.

Michael V. Leggiere (Author)

9781107439757, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 September 2018

901 pages, 22 b/w illus. 28 maps
23 x 15.3 x 4.8 cm, 1.31 kg

'Professor Leggiere has contributed immeasurably to the English-language scholarship on the Napoleonic 1813 campaign in Germany with this balanced sequel to his excellent operational and political study. The climatic fall 1813 campaign has long been ready for a reassessment and Leggiere has answered this need with a comprehensive operational-political history of Napoleon's great defeat from the perspective of the victors.' John T. Kuehn, author of A Military History of Japan: From the Age of the Samurai to the 21st Century

The first comprehensive history of the decisive Fall Campaign of 1813, which determined control of Central Europe following Napoleon's catastrophic defeat in Russia the previous year. Using German, French, British, Russian, Austrian and Swedish sources, Michael V. Leggiere provides a panoramic history which covers the full sweep of the struggle in Germany. He shows how Prussia, the weakest of the Great Powers, led the struggle against Napoleon and his empire. By reconstructing the principal campaigns and operations in Germany, the book reveals how the defeat of Napoleon in Germany was made possible by Prussian victories. In particular, it features detailed analysis of the strategy, military operations, and battles in Germany that culminated with the epic four-day Battle of Nations at Leipzig and Napoleon's retreat to France. This study not only highlights the breakdown of Napoleon's strategy in 1813, but constitutes a fascinating study in coalition warfare, international relations, and civil-military relations.

Introduction
1. Trachenberg and Reichenbach
2. The Silesian army
3. 'The infamous conduct of the Prussians'
4. Löwenberg
5. Goldberg
6. The Katzbach
7. Blücher's hare hunt
8. 'Nothing more remains than to have them shot dead'
9. Lusatia
10. The Middle Elbe
11. The Mulde
12. Hide and seek
13. Opening round
14. 'A battle of the most obstinate and sanguinary class'
15. The battle of Leipzig
16. Race to the Rhine
Assessment
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]