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The Napoleonic Wars: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) Illustrated Edition

by Mike Rapport (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 112 ratings
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The Napoleonic Wars have an all-important place in the history of Europe, leaving their mark on European and world societies in a variety of ways. In many European countries, they provided the stimulus for radical social and political change--particularly in Spain, Germany, and Italy--and are frequently viewed in these places as the starting point of their modern histories. In this Very Short Introduction, Mike Rapport provides a compact overview of these pivotal wars. He begins with the French Revolution and the French Revolutionary wars of 1792-1803, which set the stage for the rise of Napoleon, and then examines the Napoleonic Wars in two acts--the years in which the French dominated the European landscape and the years when an allied Europe fought back, leading to Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Rapport sheds light on the social, political, and institutional aspects of warfare in the Napoleonic era, and he provides a fascinating discussion of the ways and means with which these wars were fought, looking at the tactics, strategies, and weaponry of the time. Finally, he illuminates the significance of the wars, and their legacy, in both specific national contexts and from a wider global perspective.

About the Series:

Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.
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  1. ISBN-10
    9780199590964
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0199590964
  3. Edition
    Illustrated
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    March 14, 2013
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.7 x 0.4 x 4.4 inches
  8. Print length
    176 pages
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Book Description

A compact and engaging overview of the Napoleonic Wars that considers their significance and the legacy they leave today.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0199590966
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Illustrated edition (March 14, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780199590964
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199590964
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.7 x 0.4 x 4.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

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Michael Rapport

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4.2 out of 5 stars
112 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's writing style positive, with one noting its logical layout. Moreover, they appreciate its historical content, particularly its coverage of military history and Napoleon's place in history.

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11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as a very good summary that provides an attractive introduction and helps give an overview of the subject matter.

"...The book does not emphasize details of various battles, but being an overview, weaves the story of the various wars (and there were plenty of them)..." Read more

"...The Further Reading section at the back is an excellent introduction to many of the best books on the period and its individual aspects...." Read more

"...it really disserved it in my humble opinion; it is an excellent Very Short Introduction" Read more

"...This is among the more difficult to follow. The concepts are not quite that hard to explain...." Read more

7 customers mention "History"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical content, particularly its coverage of military history and Napoleon's place in history. One customer notes it provides a fine summary of a complex period, while another mentions how it serves as a prologue to many events of the 19th century.

"...of the period, with lesser attention to economic, social, and military history...." Read more

"...What this book does brilliantly is to provide an attractive introduction in to this period, a good refresh, and an understanding of this period of..." Read more

"...This covers a span of time that marks one of the major turning points of European History and provides the prologue for many event of the 19th, 20th..." Read more

"This is a superb VSI. It describes the international scene before the French Revolution, the series of wars precipitated by that revolution's impact..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to the Wars that Followed the French Revolution - Subject Matter Often Breezed Over in History Textbooks
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I very much enjoyed reading this very short introduction to the Napoleonic Wars. The book's title is SLIGHTLY deceptive in that it also covers the Revolutionary Wars that preceeded the Napoleonic Wars, but that is splitting hairs. The book is well written, and although it indeed helps if you are familiar with the French Revolution's particulars, it isn't absolutely necessary due to the orientation piece at the front part of the work. It is well written, both clearly and logically laid out. The book does not emphasize details of various battles, but being an overview, weaves the story of the various wars (and there were plenty of them) that immediately followed the French Revolution, and how those wars eventually reshaped the political and cultural landscape of Europe by about the third decade of the 19th century. I can highly recommend it as one of the very well done "Very Short Introductions" (I've read about ten to twenty of them at this point), and if you are interested in French history, its a must. Five Stars.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • W. D ONEIL
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fine summary of a complex period
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This judicious, well-written book provides a very good summary of the entire 1789-1815 period of European History (not just the later part dominated by Napoleon) Its main emphasis is on the complex political history of the period, with lesser attention to economic, social, and military history. It can serve well to refresh the memories of those who have studied the period before, to help to integrate and set in context accounts of particular parts of the overall story, or provide an attractive introduction. The Further Reading section at the back is an excellent introduction to many of the best books on the period and its individual aspects.

    The lack of maps is an unfortunate omission, particualarly for those relying on it as an introduction. It would have been better to leave out the illustrations (few of which contribute much) and replace them with a few well-selected maps.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • GioacchinoChiant
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Napoleonic Wars: A Very Short Introdution
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The little book that could in a short review just like the title says; provided historical review of what caused the Napoleonic wars. Concentrating in a summary form on the political history that led to the Napoleonic war; though some of it I disagree with probably due to the brevity of the book. It also looks at the economic, social, and military history though to a much lesser extent.
    What this book does brilliantly is to provide an attractive introduction in to this period, a good refresh, and an understanding of this period of time.
    The series of Very short Introductions by Mike Rapport is well worth the investment, for the Armature, and those looking to refresh their memory of the period that his books cover.
    I gave it 5 stars because it really disserved it in my humble opinion; it is an excellent Very Short Introduction
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Tero
    3.0 out of 5 stars A struggle to read, no maps
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have a dozen of these short introductions, mostly in science and such topics. This is among the more difficult to follow. The concepts are not quite that hard to explain. The period of revolution and rising nationalism, end of slavery and all that follows in the 1800s is shared by all European nations. The section on the French revolution at the start attempted to summarize quite a lot in a few pages. All the nations involved in a short period are listed. What happened was that other kingdoms in Europe attempted to control France and take advantage to make gains of their own. All this could be explained with a few maps. There are no maps in the book. Illustrations show troops and Napoleon.

    The actual Napoleonic wars are a little more easy to follow, but again, no maps. I was most familiar with Alexander I and Napoleon prior to reading the book. These Russian adventures and the end game at Waterloo are the famous battles, there are plenty of precedent maps to follow. War coverage end on page 55 and the rest of the book has descriptions of the life of soldiers and sort of social history related to the war and a chapter on naval warfare. Some details rehash the material of the first 55 pages.

    The coverage of the 1800s in these books is rather spotty. You can buy a Short Introduction on Russian history and one on English history etc. But the century as a whole is not covered in any one short book in the series.

    I suggest a college text on European History, Western civilization or a historical atlas instead. There are also books covering democracy and political development that might help. In defense of the author, this is a messy period of European history, and you can't discuss Napoleon with France alone.

    Sorry, unlike many, this is not a keeper.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Retired Dean
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This little book provides and excellent overview of the causes, major events, and the results of the Napoleonic Wars. This is a very good contribution to "A very Short Introduction Series" and provides an excellent summary of one of the major epics of modern history. This covers a span of time that marks one of the major turning points of European History and provides the prologue for many event of the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer (US)
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and concise overview of a crucial period in world history
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a superb VSI. It describes the international scene before the French Revolution, the series of wars precipitated by that revolution's impact on Europe, and the legacies of those wars. It is especially strong on the global reach and consequences of the wars (from the Americas to India) and on such topics as the economics of the conflicts, the ideological stakes for ordinary soldiers and sailors, and the particular horrors of naval combat. It is very well written and includes a comprehensive bibliography (which highlights many works accessible to non-specialists, like me.) Very highly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Darrin C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    very happy with my order
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  • Lucky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I love these Oxford “Very short” introduction series to serious topics. They go a lot further than “introduction”, good books in their own right
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  • The Keen Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Napoleonic Wars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is another in the excellent series of “A Very Short Introduction to” books published by Oxford University Press. This series of books offers introductions in about 130 pages or so to all sorts of subjects – a quick browse of some of the topics of books available include atheism, continental philosophy, evolution, microeconomics, particle physics, and the Trojan War. So a very broad selection of topics.

    The author is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Stirling. He has had published several books on Revolutionary and nineteenth century Europe, so is certainly authoritative on the subject of the Napoleonic Wars.

    The book is divided into 7 chapters, with a further Introduction and Conclusion. In the first chapter, the origins of the Napoleonic Wars are covered. Chapter 2 covers the French Revolutionary Wars, 1792-1802. Chapter 3 outlines the Napoleonic Wars, 1803-1815. Chapters 4 and 7 explore issues of ideology, and the reforms undertaken, both within France and her allies, and her opponents in Europe. Chapters 5 and 6 describe war as it was experienced by individuals – soldiers and civilians on land, and those who fought at sea. The conclusion discusses the legacy to modern Europe offered by Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars.

    These publications are always well worthwhile to read to get a broad understanding of their specific topic, and to offer a summarised view. They also offer, in clear and concise language, a very good introduction to the topic. Opportunities for further reading are outlined at the end of the book as well. This small book is highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand the Napoleonic Wars.
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  • Mrs Maureen Beirne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent introduction. One of the most useful texts On the subject.
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  • K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting period in the history of Europe and the world. Essential reading for anyone interested in European history.
    The writing is smooth and easy to understand.
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