Book Description
Fabulosity (n): 1: a state of everything that is fabulous 2: a quality ascribed to that which expresses glamour, style, charisma, power, and heart
Kimora Lee Simmons knows what it means to have fabulosity -- and she wants to tell you how to get it.
In this empowering new book, Kimora -- a top model, wife of hip-hop legend Russell Simmons, mother to two daughters, a national media presence, and president and creative director of the multimillion-dollar Baby Phat company -- shares her personal secrets of success and fabulosity.
Kimora knows that in today's ultracompetitive world, it's not enough for women just to be smart or dress well. With too much to do and competition everywhere, the savvy woman must know how to combine feminine glamour with professional power, business ambition with personal values, and confidence with heart. Kimora is the living picture of all these things.
What are Kimora's secrets to achieving her goals, her signature fabulosity? One is her ability to identify and build upon her own unique talents and strengths. In Kimora's case, she brilliantly combined the two worlds she knows best -- the high fashion and hip-hop scenes -- to create Baby Phat, her ultrasuccessful hip-hop inspired lifestyle brand.
How do you uncover and develop your own special talents? Kimora shares her step-by-step guide to achieving your wildest dreams, including her 16 laws of success, which cover everything you need to become the woman you want to be.
Whether you're college-educated or street smart, just starting out or at the top of your game, Fabulosity has something to say to you. Learn how to cultivate Power, Independence, Confidence, and Positivity in everything you do, whether it's finding Mr. Right, snagging that corner office, or rocking the latest fashion trend. Packed with useful lessons and Kimora's personal tips, this book will be your instruction manual to empowering yourself, turning your individual talents into permanent success, and unleashing your inner fabulosity.
Download Description
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Fabulosity (n): 1: a state of everything that is fabulous 2: a quality ascribed to that which expresses glamour, style, charisma, power, and heart
Kimora Lee Simmons knows what it means to have fabulosity -- and she wants to tell you how to get it.
In this empowering new book, Kimora -- a top model, wife of hip-hop legend Russell Simmons, mother to two daughters, a national media presence, and president and creative director of the multimillion-dollar Baby Phat company -- shares her personal secrets of success and fabulosity.
Kimora knows that in today's ultracompetitive world, it's not enough for women just to be smart or dress well. With too much to do and competition everywhere, the savvy woman must know how to combine feminine glamour with professional power, business ambition with personal values, and confidence with heart. Kimora is the living picture of all these things.
What are Kimora's secrets to achieving her goals, her signature fabulosity? One is her ability to identify and build upon her own unique talents and strengths. In Kimora's case, she brilliantly combined the two worlds she knows best -- the high fashion and hip-hop scenes -- to create Baby Phat, her ultrasuccessful hip-hop inspired lifestyle brand.
How do you uncover and develop your own special talents? Kimora shares her step-by-step guide to achieving your wildest dreams, including her 16 laws of success, which cover everything you need to become the woman you want to be.
Whether you're college-educated or street smart, just starting out or at the top of your game, Fabulosity has something to say to you. Learn how to cultivate Power, Independence, Confidence, and Positivity in everything you do, whether it's finding Mr. Right, snagging that corner office, or rocking the latest fashion trend. Packed with useful lessons and Kimora's personal tips, this book will be your instruction manual to empowering yourself, turning your individual talents into permanent success, and unleashing your inner fabulosity.
"
Customer Reviews:
Simply Fabulous!.......2007-10-06
Kimora's book is well worth the read. She has some very good advice no matter your age. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't usually write reviews but...this was an exceptional read.......2007-09-29
Before I read Fabulosity, I wasn't a big Kimora fan, but I have nothing but respect for her after reading this book. Yes, she talks a lot about fashion, and her extravagant lifestyle..and what else can you expect..Authors talk about what they know..and Kimora knows what it means to be fabulous. The people that complain about the book are dumb for expecting anything less than a woman talking about what she knows. But intertwined with her lavishness, the book was surprising down to earth! It wasnt some stuff old etiquette, how-to-do book that was filled with nonsense. She speaks like a diva, but its with genuine candor. How do I put this?..Its really a lifestyle manual...how to develop yourself as a goddess from the inside out...professionally and personally..Its a real book. However if you are not in the demographic she is addressing, you won't get it..and you will think the book is a waste, b/c you won't get it. This book is for the urban, chic, young woman who is a product of the hip hop culture but has the style and grace of high fashion(or even just the desire to be that)...if you are more comfortable with the non-urban, old world culture...THEN THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU..there are plenty of other books available that appeal to your demographic.
I'll admit, because of the negative reviews I read on here and elsewhere, I had very low expectations of "Fabulosity"..and even her flashy persona. People said, oh you can't apply what Kimora says in real life, she's just rambles on about her life and how great it is...That is not the case, AT ALL. You just have to know how to apply her principles to your own life, even if you aren't in the fashion industry. Its really just about learning how to know yourself, love yourself, carry yourself, etc. Oh and its about a state of mind too..If you feel like a glamorous lifestyle is out of your reach, and you have already made up your mind that you are content with mediocrity, then yeah the book will come off too flamboyant for you..but if you have an open mind, and you don't mind learning something from somebody who indeed has it all, this book will be a great asset. I borrowed this book from the library first, but after reading it, I have just purchased it so that I can refer to it whenever I need that extra "chutzpah" confidence booster. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Blah Blah.......2007-05-10
Dont get me wrong I LOVE KIMORA !! And she is fabulous. But this book.....as much as she says this isnt about telling her life story, it came off to be that way. It was an encouraging book but after a while they all say the same thing. I read half and just couldnt take anymore.
Fashionistas Only.......2007-02-23
This book really isn't for everyone. I feel that most of the advice she gave was not univeral but was very specific to the fashion and modeling industry. I felt that if I did have the things she recommeded at my job I would be fired.
The only thing that might be univeral is what she says about debt, but she doesn't really give a detailed plan to get out of it.
Who is she kidding?.......2007-01-31
This is truly one of the worst wastes of paper i have ever read. Kimora just drones on and on about how rich, successful, and "fabulous" she is. She has a chapter on relationship advice...it wasn't long before she was in divorce court after writing this book. She constantly contradicts herself...for example, see through clothes are on her list of things never to wear. Then, on another page, she advises to buy nipple covers to wear under sheer tops. Her idea of advice is telling women how to go diamond shop[ping for their collection. Do you know any women with a diamond collection? i don't. Basically the whole point of her book is to show how rich she is and act like she made it from nothing when we all know the capital came from her filthy rich husband. It's impossible to respect someone who is constantly quoting Little Kim as a role model.
Book Description
At thirty, beauty icon Kimora Lee Simmons is the mistress of her own empire of lifestyle brands, mother to two young daughters, and a glamorous staple of the social circuit. Now, in this uplifting and inspiring book, Simmons spills her secrets of how women can use their smarts to build a rich and satisfying life full of success, fun, and, yes, a bit of blinding bling–the Fabulosity that every woman deserves.
Simmons explains how to balance feminine, stop–them–in–their–tracks glamour with sign–on–the–dotted–line business power; how to get past barriers that exist because of gender, race, or age; how to find a marriageable man who'll support your biggest dreams (while keeping other women at bay); and how to have the most fun of your life while doing it! She gives hundreds of insider tips on fashion, beauty, home decorating, and socializing and explains how she succeeded in business with little formal experience, building a $70 million business out of a T–shirt.
Packed with anecdotes and first–person experiences from the catwalks of Paris to P. Diddy's parties, Fabulosity takes readers behind the scenes of this diva's diverse, action–packed life and offers insights on how any woman can channel her own "high–profile personality" and creative power, no matter what her own goals may be.
Customer Reviews:
Kimora... I expected this to be fabulous!.......2007-06-27
This was not a bad book. A lot of it was good, HOWEVER...
If I read one more generic "you go girl!", "unleash your inner diva/goddess!" I will jump off a cliff. I could read those any time, so when I buy a book from someone as glam as Kimora, you better believe I am expecting to hear details on how she remains so fab. What products does she use? What are her real thoughts and beauty secrets? How does she get so confident? This book was WAY too vanilla. It was as if she was trying not to offend anyone and was too afraid to write what she really thought. Example: Any time Kimora writes something like "Walk into a room like you own the damn place"- she will then take away from that statement and immediately follow it with "I am not saying be too overly cocky, I am just saying to be positive and confident." I wanted to hear her real thoughts and it was clear she was either too afraid to write them or advised not to write them, probably so she wouldn't affect her business in a negative way. Maybe she will put out a better book when she is through with Baby Phat. Kimora, I love you girl, but this was not quite fabulous enough.
A suprisingly good read.......2007-06-01
I will start out by saying I wasn't a huge fan of hers because she seemed snotty to me. But I read the reviews and saw it at walmart for $13 so I bought it. It was a fun read and very down to earth, yes she wears designer clothes and has a big house but there is no reason to be mad at her about it. I appreciated reading an inspirational book written by someone from my own generation. I read a lot of success books and they are usually from older white men, sometimes black and sometimes asian but all older men.
I read the book in about a week and I am glad I did. She was a normal girl that found success in something she loves.
Sassy, but probably for younger women.......2007-05-23
I wish I had read this book in my late teens. So many life lessons about confidence, getting ahead, and other power moves that Kimora touches on in the book, I had to learn the hard way. Her book is a straight from the hip book of advice and anecdotes that are fun to read. For those just starting to look for their path in life, especially those who look up to Kimora, it's an inspiring read. For those who are a little farther along in life, it can still be a reminder of the sexy inner confidence we must maintain.
Kimora's personality is over the top, and that personality exudes through the book. Whether or not it works for you is up to your taste. Personally, I liked the no-nonsense approach.
Author of The Get A Life Campaign
Amazon.com
Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, spent a lot of time worrying about whether Napoleon Bonaparte, the emperor of France, was a gentleman. Napoleon accused his English foe of being a coward. Yet, Andrew Roberts shows in this dual biography, each accorded the other an odd respect, and, like wrestlers in a ring, studied his foe's moves intently all the way to their fateful encounter at Waterloo.
Publicly, Bonaparte and Wellington professed to despise each other. "Even in the boldest things he did there was always a measure of ... meanness," said Wellington of the French emperor, adding later, "Bonaparte's whole life, civil, political, and military, was a fraud." Napoleon said that Wellington "has no courage. He acted out of fear. He had one stroke of fortune, and he knows that such fortune never comes twice." Yet the two, writes Roberts, were very much alike: social outsiders who found their greatness in the army, scholars of a sort, who brought scientific rigor to the study of topography and logistics, and men capable of inspiring great heroism in their soldiers.
In the end, Roberts suggests, Wellington won his battle, but Napoleon won the war. This intriguing study shows how, and it affords much insight into the workings of these great rivals' minds. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
An award-winning historian offers an eye-opening view of the relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington, whose lives moved inexorably to their meeting at Waterloo, one of the most famous battles of all time.
At breakfast on the morning of the battle of Waterloo, the Emperor Napoleon declared that the Duke of Wellington was a bad general, the British were bad soldiers and that France could not fail to win an easy victory. Forever afterwards, historians have accused him of gross overconfidence and massively underestimating the caliber of the British commander opposite him. Now Andrew Roberts presents an original, highly revisionist view of the relationship between the two greatest captains of their age and of the great battle that determined European history in the nineteenth century.
Napoleon, who was born in the same year as Wellington -- 1769 -- fought Wellington by proxy years earlier in the Peninsular War, praising his ruthlessness in private while publicly deriding him as a mere "general of sepoys." In contrast, Wellington publicly lauded Napoleon, saying that his presence on a battlefield was worth forty thousand men, but privately he wrote long memoranda lambasting Napoleon's campaigning techniques.
Although Wellington saved Napoleon from execution after Waterloo, the emperor left money in his will to the man who had tried to assassinate the duke. Wellington in turn amassed a series of Napoleonic trophies of his great victory, even sleeping with two of the emperor's mistresses.
The fascinating, constantly changing relationship between these two historical giants forms the basis of Andrew Roberts's compelling study in pride, rivalry, propaganda, nostalgia and posthumous revenge. It is at once a brilliant work of military history and a triumphant biography.
Featuring a cast of fascinating supporting characters -- including the empress Josephine, the Prince Regent and Talleyrand -- Napoleon and Wellington provides the definitive account of the most decisive battle of the nineteenth century.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of dirt on two great commanders.......2006-11-22
Roberts succeeds in writing a readable and engaging comparison of the perceptions each leader possessed toward the other. The history is not a portrait of each commander separately, but rather shows the relationship between the two men in terms of conduct and word.
While the history gives more or less equal time to both commanders, what emerges, at least in my view, is a decidedly surprising and uncommonly jaundiced portrayal of Wellington. For example, Wellington pursued and seduced no less than two of Napoleon's mistresses. He filled his mansion with copious quantities of "Napoleona" -- statues, paintings, memorabilia. Indeed, for a man of Wellington's supposedly Victorian understatement, he talked of his victory over Napoleon incessantly. It is typically understood that Napoleon was an egomaniacal, self-obsessed dictator. What is less well known is that Wellington was much less the reserved, stoic gentleman his reputation would lead one to believe.
I would not consider this history to be essential reading except for buffs of the Napoleonic wars, and it gets a one-point deduction for its somewhat sordid, "tabloid-ish" quality. Still, I won't doubt the veracity of its content nor is it dry, so pick this one up if the focus is your cup of tea.
Disappointed.......2006-01-14
From the title of the book I was excited by the prospect of really coming to understand the two great minds on that historic battlefield that has rang down through history with such force. But to be blunt...I was disappointed.
Let me preface my comments by saying that I have a Napoleonic interest, but am by no means an aficionado on the subject. Therefore, I found the reading a bit too cumbersome. Perhaps it was due to my lack of depth of knowledge on the subject, but I truly feel it was due to the writing style, which never really flowed to me. If I have a more academic grasp of the subject matter or was more used to scholarly writing, I may have enjoyed it more...but I doubt it.
I never really got the sense that Roberts was telling me (the novice) a story but was rather dealing with quips and quotes and piecing them together in an attempt to form the narrative. The best thing of having read this book was that it spurred me to purchase a few other books on Napoleon himself which allowed me to develop an deep interst in the man.
Surprisingly Compelling.......2005-11-18
This book was a surprise for me. I picked it up at the library, intending to just read a couple of pages. The next thing I knew, I was 82 pages into the book. It's written well and avoids some of the dryness of other books about these 2 men. Rather than recounting the battles fought by these notorious commanders, the book focuses on the relationship between the two men that led up to the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. It does assume that you have some historical background and that you know the basics of what happened at Waterloo and the subsequent exile of Napoleon. The angle of this book is different and refreshingly alive.
The great rivalry-Napoleon and Wellington.......2004-12-06
Although this book is subtitled "The Battle of Waterloo and the Great Commanders Who Fought It," it isn't really a straightforward military history. It is instead a rather original hybrid of biography, political and military history, and for lack of a better word, gossip. Roberts focuses on the parrallels in the careers of Napoleon and Wellington; there are remarkable similarities and differences. At the center of the narrative is the fact that Napoleon and Wellington, as the foremost military personalities of their time, were placed in a position of natural rivalry. Each was in many respects the standard against which the other was measured. Roberts, in an engaging style, brings out the perceptions (and misperceptions) each had of the other, and how these perceptions changed over time, especially after the Battle of Waterloo. For the serious reader, there are some insights into the personalities of the two leaders that help explain their respective approaches to the battlefield. For example, Roberts brings out the value for Wellington of his extensive tactical experience with infantry in India and the Peninsular War, which allowed him to personally and usefully intervene in the conduct of his battles. By contrast, Napoleon's far more rapid rise in rank left him with less experience in tactics and therefore more dependent on his marshals for the conduct of his battles. Roberts highlights that Wellington was primarily a military leader who saw himself as an agent of the British Governemnt; Napoleon's perspective was that of a head of state in pursuit of his own vision of glory, for which his leadership of the French Armies was a means to an end. Serious readers looking for battle history should seek elsewhere. For the more casual reader, there are plenty of juicy personal tidbits of the kind normally found on the personality page of the weekly Parade Magazine. These details tend to humanize two personalities long layered in myth. Roberts is to be commended for finding a original angle to ground that has been heavily worked.
A very good portrait of two great men.......2003-09-24
I enjoyed this work a great deal and found that I learned a great deal about both Wellington and Napoleon. I read it because I had read several of the Sharpe's books by Bernard Cornwell, and have become interested in the first Duke of Wellington, who is a reoccurring officer in several of the Sharpe's novels. I liked the fictional creation and wanted to see how accurate was the fictional portrait to the real man. I was gratified to learn that I liked the real life Duke as much as Cornwell's portrayal of him.
The author of this non-fiction work, Andrew Roberts, is a young historian who is excellent at researching his topic, and he is also a solid writer. While I would recommend this book to anyone, I would suggest a serious interest in the subject matter. This certainly isn't beach reading or an adventure novel, full of battle and sword.
Andrew Davis' main thrust his this: the commonly accepted historical view of these two men, Napoleon and Wellington, and the battle of Waterloo, is that Napoleon seriously underestimated Wellington's ability as a general was therefore caught by surprise by Wellington's fine generalship on the day of battle. Further, that Napoleon had no respect at all for Wellington, referring to him as "that sepoy General" (a reference to Wellington's service in India, where he won several impressive victories but had not defeated European armies). Davis does not agree with this assessment, claiming that before the battle, Napoleon had praised Wellington, and it was only after the battle, and during his long, bitter exile at St. Helena, that Napoleon became increasingly critical and insulting in his comments about Wellington. The Author spends the book reviewing the writings and actions of both men, in support of his premise.
Yet, after reading the book, I was not convinced. While the author makes it clear that as years passed Napoleon exhibited an almost demented obsession with regard to the battle of Waterloo, subsequently blaming nearly everyone present for the lose other than himself, and also in tearing down and belittling Wellington, he wasn't exactly full of praise and respect for Wellington before the battle either.
Andrew Roberts gives several examples of Napoleon's written and spoken statements about Wellington before the battle, and none of them are very substantial or enthusiastic. All of them sound like comments one general would say about another in an effort not to openly insult the other, instead of actual giving praise or respect. Take for example Davis' noting that Napoleon admitting in 1814 that Wellington had made a "reputation" for himself in the Peninsula. Could this not be seen, in the light of other comments from Napoleon regarding Wellington's opposition in the Penisula, to have been a sarcastic comment, or even an insult? The author also cites Napoleon referring to Wellington as "a man of viguor in Warfare." Not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it? Davis supplies other evidence, all of such lukewarm substance. All of Napoleon's comments on Wellington merely seem polite or measured in the same way. None of it ever smacks of real respect or supplies any indication that Napoleon was seriously impressed with Wellington. Napoleon seems to have considered Wellington a good, solid General, but certainly not in His class - perhaps the best the British had to offer.
The author bends over backward in this book to give a balanced view of both men, striving to make the point that both men were more alike that dissimilar. Again, Davis' own work does not leave me with that impression. If anything, Davis' own writings leave me with the impression that the two men were about as different as two men can be. Napoleon: a brash, classless man, so resentful and hateful of Wellington for defeating him that his soul turned small, dry and bitter, until his own obsessions and resentment ate him alive. An inspired man, and inspiring. A creature for the imagination. Wellington: a winning machine. A man possessing a razor mind and cold eyes that never, ever saw failure in anything. A creature of will and intellect, perfect for Empire. A gentleman in war and victory. In the end, Wellington was simply the better general and the better man.
Book Description
On the Napoleonic battlefield victory or defeat could still depend on the skills, reactions and personalities of individual commanders. Even under a genius such as Napoleon the dispersal of his armies on campaign, and the lack of fast communications, left command and control of the different corps and divisions in the hands of his marshals and generals. This second in a pair of Elite titles describes in concise but colourful detail the careers and personalities of more than two dozen of Napoleon's leading subordinate commanders in the armies of the later Empire, from c1809 to the Hundred Days campaign of 1815. Their individual appearance, and the typical uniforms of a variety of staff officers, are reconstructed in 12 dazzling colour plates.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent Osprey book.......2003-07-25
Good text and potted history of the commanders by Haythorntwaite. What truly lifts this book above good are the lively colour drawings by Courcelle.
What You'd Expect & More.......2003-04-19
Not a typical Osprey book in that it covers a number of personalities in such a small space; however, if you understand this, you'll be very happy with the book. The illustrations alone are worth it. If anything it'll give some otherwise unknown anecdotal info that'll have you wanting to do more research.
Good Review.......2003-04-19
Very brief review of the commanders concerned; of course, you can't expect an in-depth bio for each of the commanders in the space allowed; the illustrations are very clear and well worth the price.
L'Homme.......2002-06-02
This, the second volume on the fascinating subject of the general officers who fought for Napoleon and led the Grande Armee is as good as the first, if not better.
More than twenty generals and marshal, including Druout, St. Cyr, Rapp, Soult, St. Hilaire, and Prince Eugene are covered here is biographical sketches that, at times, give more information on the subject officer than is common in other, greater works. In addition to the general officers, Larrey, the famous surgeon to the Imperial Guard, is included, as are two fo Napoleon's brothers, Joseph and Jerome (who was a general officer and commanded an infantry division in the Waterloo campaign).
Lavishly illustrated, the highlight of the booklet are the superb paintings by military artist Patrice Courcelle, who, in my opinion, is one of the best painting today. His excellent work is on a par with the best military artists who paint in this period. They are accurate, authoritative, and lively. If you just get the booklet for the paintings, you cannot go wrong.
However, the text is excellent. The author has thoroughly documented his work with over 40 entries in the bibliography, many of them primary sources. His text is clear and concise, and this work can be used for reference by historians, wargamers, reenactors, and enthusiasts.
This volume is highly recommended, and, in my opinion, far above the norm regarding Ospreys. I, for one, am very pleased with the recent production by Osprey in the Napoleonic period. Authors and authorities such as Philip Haythornewaite and Rene Chartrand have given Osprey a good boost and the level of scholarship is excellent. I am looking forward to their future volumes, especially the one on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, as well as anything by Rene Chartrand.
Great illustrations.......2002-04-25
I bought this book for only one purpose, the illustrations by P Courcelle, never mind the text! I have seen this artist's works in other books but he has particularly excelled himself in this book. His drawings have a certain vitality and the colours are fantastic. It also helps that the subject matter of Napoloenic commanders finery bordered on the extravaganza!
Average customer rating:
- I expected more.
- Great detailed account of Napoleon's Battles
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Napoleon as Military Commander (Classic Military History)
James Marshall-Cornwall
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0141391014 |
Book Description
Tracing Napoleon's development as both a general and statesman, distinguished historian James Marshall-Cornwall brings to life the career of one of history's greatest military strategists. Focusing on the two decades during which Napoleon achieved his greatest triumphs and suffered his most heartbreaking defeats, this thoroughly researched study keenly analyzes how, like Oliver Cromwell, Napoleon combined strategy and statecraft throughout his career. From his most brilliant campaigns-in particular his conquest of Piedmont and his triumphant invasion of Italy-to the disasters at Trafalgar, in the Iberian Peninsula, in Russia, at Leipzig, and his final downfall at Waterloo, Napoleon as Military Commander tells the story of a general whose defeats were as remarkable as his victories.
Customer Reviews:
I expected more........2007-04-10
This is not a book about Napoleon the man, the politician or the emperor, although his early life is discussed, as are some of his political maneuverings. The focus of the book is, as the title says, about Napoleon as a military commander. This is done by discussing his military campaigns, starting with the Italian campaign and ending with Waterloo. In general, I found the discussion of each campaign to be quite incomplete. Important battles are covered in as little as a page or two and some are even allotted less space. I got a feeling of Napoleon's command style, but only just a feeling. I would have preferred a detailed essay on his command approach, with reference to the various campaigns and battles as illustrations. I think that this would have given a more coherent and unified picture. To be sure, various platitudes are provided, such as speed in maneuvering, concentration and mutual support of forces and general tactical brilliance, but I expected more. Alternatively, a more detailed picture of each campaign could have been provided, but this would have required a very much longer book.
This book should be of interest to those interested in history, but those well versed in military history may find it wanting. I think that the latter would get more out of books which detail a specific campaign, but this would require reading perhaps half a dozen, or more, books.
Great detailed account of Napoleon's Battles.......2004-01-09
Being a general European history buff I picked this book up in the discount bin and was pleasantly surprised. This was my first book I have read specifically on Napoleon so Corwall's account of Bonaparte's early years with his family in Corsica, schooling an early military career gave me enough insight into his overall character. This book is in no way trying to be a full historical account of Napoleon's political or personal affairs, even in defeat. Instead it strictly focuses on the battles of the Grande Armee under his command.
Corwall includes Napoleon's letters written to his wife and family members as well as specific orders, which were written to his commanders in the midst of battle. These letters and correspondences are what I enjoyed most about the book. All of Bonaparte's genius, wit and ultimately his flaws are exposed through his writings. Specific battle maneuvers are also detailed with geographical references and commentary on the results. I felt the details were difficult to follow at times and the reference maps were not well placed or that helpful. I thought Cornwall's "Britishness" was evident throughout the book, or maybe I just thought it was, but he is mostly impartial in keeping the book true to the title. In all I would say this book would compliment any of the grand accounts of Napoleons life and political career and will fill the gaps if a reader is specifically interested in how each of his victories was planned and carried out on the battle field. I have not read Chandler's "The Campaigns of Nepoleon" So I can not compare the two. At 1/3 the size, I imagine Cornwall's account is lighter in many areas.
Average customer rating:
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Napoleon and Berlin: The Franco-Prussian War in North Germany, 1813 (Campaigns and Commanders, 1)
Michael V. Leggiere
Manufacturer: University of Oklahoma Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0806133996 |
Book Description
The three commanders-in-chief during the Waterloo campaign rank among the most famous soldiers in history. Rarely have three such remarkable men as Napoleon, Wellington and Blucher confronted each other on a field of battle or had such an impact on the history of their time. Andrew Uffindell, in this readable and meticulously researched three-part biography, gives vivid accounts of their parallel lives and extraordinary careers. The dramatic contrasts that emerge between their backgrounds, personalities and methods of command offer a fascinating insight into the secrets of leadership and into the warfare of the Napoleonic era.
Customer Reviews:
Compare and Contrast..........2007-08-17
Andrew Uffindell's "Waterloo Commanders" is a new entry into a crowded field of books about the Battle of Waterloo. His approach is to compare and contrast the three principal commanders at Waterloo: Napoleon of France, Wellington of Great Britain, and Blutcher of Prussia. Their clash of arms over 15-18 June 1815 remains one of the most dramatic military events in modern Western History.
The basic facts of the professional lives of Napoleon and Wellington are well known; Uffindel moves briskly through their narratives. Blutcher has gotten rather less attention than his British ally or his French opponent; his long and varied career in uniform will be of interest to many readers. Uffindell's account of the Battle of Waterloo itself is concise and reasonably even-handed with respect to each leader. He touches briefly on the lives of the three men after Waterloo: Napoleon to bitter exile on St. Helena, Wellington to a long career in British politics, and Blutcher to an all too-brief retirement.
The real payoff of the book may be Uffindell's concluding effort to assess the respective personalities, styles of leadership, methods of comand and control, and expertise at strategy and tactics of the three men. His discussion is closely-reasoned, nuanced, and concise; the reader need not agree with Uffindell's conclusions to appreciate the analysis.
Uffindell is no slave to anyone's legend. Battlefield failures share space with successes. He notes how just how close to defeat Napoleon was in famous victories such as the Battle of Marengo. His harsh assessement that Wellington was not an innovator in infantry tactics is probably technically accurate, if less relevant than his consistent success in execution. Blutcher's history of alcoholism and mental disorder make his successful leadership all the more remarkable.
"Waterloo Commanders" is well recommended to the general reader seeking an above average survey-level history. The experienced student of the Napoleonic Wars may find less in this book that constitutes new or different material. The book includes a collection of easy-to-understand maps and a small but well-chosen selection of illustrations.
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