- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Greenhill Books; New edition edition (15 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1853675784
- ISBN-13: 978-1853675782
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 2.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 253,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
In this masterly study of 1815, Peter Hofschroer challenges the accepted version of events at the battle of Waterloo. He demonstrates convincingly that Allied victory hinged on the contribution of German soldiers. Drawing on previously unpublished accounts, Hofschroer gives not only the Prussian perspective of their march to Waterloo and decisive attack on Napoleon's flank, but also details of the actions fought by some of the 25,000 Germans in Wellington's 'British' army - more than a third of the Duke's force. A gripping narrative of astonishing detail captures such key episodes of Waterloo as La Haye Sainte, Papelotte, Hougoumont and the Prussian struggle with the Imperial Guard for Plancenoit. In addition, Hofschroer examines the battle at Wavre, the Allied offensive into France, the taking of Paris and the sieges across northern France. 1815: The Waterloo Campaign - The German Victory is a definitive work on an epic confrontation by a leading military writer. Peter Hofschroer's book 'Wellington's Smallest Victory' will also be published by Faber and Faber Ltd.
From the Author
Great detail, new revelations
The second volume of my work on the Waterloo Campaign continues with an account of the action starting where volume one left off, namely on 17 June. It then follows the retreat of the allied forces to Mont St Jean and Wavre. Using German accounts - eye-witnesses and reports - the action of 18 June is described in some detail. Most of the texts quoted have never been used in English before. The Battle of Namur and the pursuit of the French forces to Paris is covered in unprecedented detail. Furthermore, a substantial chapter is devoted to the sieges in Northern France.
The second volume of my work on the Waterloo Campaign continues with an account of the action starting where volume one left off, namely on 17 June. It then follows the retreat of the allied forces to Mont St Jean and Wavre. Using German accounts - eye-witnesses and reports - the action of 18 June is described in some detail. Most of the texts quoted have never been used in English before. The Battle of Namur and the pursuit of the French forces to Paris is covered in unprecedented detail. Furthermore, a substantial chapter is devoted to the sieges in Northern France.
All these accounts are accompanied by numerous large, clear and detailed maps.
Following on from volume one, the role of the Duke of Wellington is examined. He is shown to have performed poorly in this campaign and subsequently to have played downs both his own errors and the true role of his allies. His Waterloo Despatch of 19 June 1815 is shown to contain a number of false statements. Wellington nurtured and protected his reputation throughout the rest of his life. One example of this - how he suppressed the publication in English of Clausewitz's History of 1815 - is examined.
In all, a very detailed book, well presented with new revelations. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While I do think that Hofschroer over emphasises the Germanic contribution to the Allied victory of 1815 and is slightly unfair on Wellington, this is a very well written and researched book. While it is extremely informative and detailed it is also highly readable, which is always a positive factor. It contains good illustrations and I was pleased to see more than one map for battles such as Wavre, detailing troop positions at different times during the struggle.
The main reason I bought this volume, was to look at Prussian primary sources for the campaign and for Wavre in particular. Hofschroer certainly delivers on this, including some quotations that I have never seen before. Many books on Waterloo and the 100 Days Campaign are decidedly anglo-centric and this volume goes a long way to addressing the ommission of Prussian accounts. I am very pleased with this book and heartily recommend it.
The main reason I bought this volume, was to look at Prussian primary sources for the campaign and for Wavre in particular. Hofschroer certainly delivers on this, including some quotations that I have never seen before. Many books on Waterloo and the 100 Days Campaign are decidedly anglo-centric and this volume goes a long way to addressing the ommission of Prussian accounts. I am very pleased with this book and heartily recommend it.
29 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Like Herr Hofschroer's previous volume, the second part of his Waterloo history is clearly a must for anyone with a serious interest in the campaign. Introducing new material from German sources to the English reader, and covering the pursuit after the famous battle that many "authorities" fail to address, its contribution to a full understanding of the war is clear to see.
However, much of what is written of a "German" victory takes a simplistic body-count approach to the measure of war, which is not up to the skill otherwise demonstrated by the author. The tactical description of the battle itself is rich with witness accounts, but loses something in bringing the wealth of material together. Ironically for a series which was inspired by the lack of German accounts in English histories, it fails to properly include French, Dutch and Belgian accounts.
Also, the concept of "Germany" which underlies the book is clearly flawed from an early nineteenth century perspective. Although national identity existed beyond the individual duchies, it clearly was secondary to that which we would now see as regional, and Prussia had by fact of conquest many Polish subjects who would not have seen themselves as German.
Finally, considering the degree of detail covered by the author of casualty rates at Ligny in the prior volume, his coverage of Waterloo is frankly a let-down. Detailed information is simply absent.
In summary though, a worthwhile purchase, especially to correct much of the too Anglophile perspective of many histories.
25 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed this book because I will snap up all I can about the Waterloo campaign. It presents a lot of new material to the English language reader. This is often presented in a rather raw form, with little attempt to interpret or reconcile discrepencies, but this adds to the attraction, in a way...I like to do that bit myself.
It falls down as a proper work of history though. This is partly because it focuses too much on the German sources (admittedly its purpose), it can't spend enough time trying to match with English, Dutch or French sources, and start to resolve some of the what-happened-when questions. In a least one case he uses a quotation in what is clearly completely the wrong part of the battlefield.
On the interpretation he scores one hit and one miss. He is undoubtedly right on pointing out Wellington's flaws and duplicity in the early stages of the campaign. His miss is his contention that Wellington and the British played mere supporting roles in Napoleon's defeat. I don't buy the argument that the Hanoverians and Prussians in 1815 were the national brothers that they were a century later, and that their acheivements can therefore be lumped together in opposition to the British. There were also flaws in the Prussian campaign: they were beaten by inferior numbers at Ligny; and Waterloo was a much tougher battle for the British, evidenced by their very high casualty rates. It an interesting contention that the more vigorous effort by the Prussians after the battle saved lives rather than lost them...but the author fails to present the argument.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not history
No doubt the British were a minority in the Allied army but without their steady presence to provide a spine to the army, the battle would have been lost long before the prussians... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Burton
Great historiography, dodgy history
Peter Hofschroer's book is best known for its assertion, per its title, that Waterloo was a "German" victory. Read more
Published 2 months ago by schlockhorror
Revisionism? Hardly.
The only revealing thing about this book is how it seems to have brought the distinct whiff of sour grapes out of the woodwork. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2004 by P J ASHE
19th Century Dunkirk avoided
Truly a great book. I am happy that finally somebody is presenting the Prussian point of view. Hopefully, we will soon see the Dutch and Belgian viewpoints. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2000
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