Napoleon And Berlin

At a time when Napoleon needed all his forces to reassert French dominance in Central Europe, why did he fixate on the Prussian capital of Berlin? Instead of concentrating his forces for a decisive showdown with the enemy, he repeatedly detached large numbers of troops, under ineffective commanders, toward the capture of Berlin. In Napoleon and Berlin, Michael V. Leggiere explores Napoleon’s almost obsessive desire to capture Berlin and how this strategy ultimately lost him all of Germany. Napoleon’s motives have remained a subject of controversy from his own day until ours. He may have hoped to deliver a tremendous blow to Prussia’s war-making capacity and morale. Ironically, the heavy losses and strategic reverses sustained by the French left Napoleon’s Grande Armee vulnerable to an Allied coalition that eventually drove Napoleon from Central Europe forever.

(Volume 2) "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."--Provided by publisher.

"Napoleon and The Queen of Prussia" is a historical novel representing one of the most fascinating and famous oppositions in the times of Napoleonic wars: the political battle between Napoleon Buonaparte and Queen Elizabeth of Prussia. Napoleon called her "my beautiful enemy" and tried to ruin her reputation in Prussia by spreading gossip. Yet, his intentions failed since the people of Prussia loved their wise and kind queen, who enchanted everyone with her irresistible charm and beauty. When Napoleon first met her in person, he said: "I heard you are the most beautiful of Queens, but I did not know that you are the most beautiful of women." Yet, her charm didn't help her stop the Napoleonic invasion of Prussia. The novel "Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia" lets the reader dive into the atmosphere of the epoch. You learn about the battles, victories, and defeats of the two of the most influential leaders of Europe through the detailed and picturesque scenes of their personal lives.