You know that classic 1970 movie Waterloo starring Rod Steiger and Christopher Plummer? Seen as an epic full of events leading up to the battle itself. Compared to this three book series it was Napoleon walking up the garden path to pick some dandelions for his pet bunnies.
There is back up text and character sketches and much more in each book (but as I have no scanner or camera you'll need to take my word on that). Following each of the characters as they followed their separate paths was interesting and some were far from being characters you had sympathy for but war is war. All the minor incidents and events leading up to, in one characters case, suicide ("shell shock about covers it) the final battle are masterfully written and the art is so full of action and I could spot no inaccuracies in any of the costumes or uniforms.
I sat down thinking "This is going to be a struggle to read" and before I knew it I had read all three volumes. This is a case where having the three volumes rather than waiting between volumes really drew me in. If I gave any advice on this series to a potential reader then it would be to buy all three so that you can read it all because as three books back-to-back this had me hooked. No having to re-tread one book to remember what happened last time.
The back up material is useful and informative andremember that this is a series set during the Napoleonic War (or The Great War as it was also known) so the action and scene can get pretty bloody and the actual depictions of close quarter battle had so much detail I had to pause to breath.
This is a stand out series from a company that seems to know how to choose good books to publish in English and I would givethis 11 out of 10!
Authors: Frédéric Richaud, based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud; illustrated by Ivan Gil
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 64 colour pages
Publication: October 2020
ISBN: 9781849185929
£9.99 inc vat
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/the-battle-book-13-p-4425.html
Louis-François Lejeune, young colonel attached to the emperor’s staff, meets his old friend Henri Beyne in occupied Vienna. He also meets the beautiful Anna Krauss, with whom he is madly in love with. Nearby, though, Napoleon is attempting to crush the Austrian army, and organising the crossing of the Danube for his troops on a single pontoon bridge hurriedly erected near Essling. Louis-François is forced to abandon his love and return to the front – and the coming firestorm …
Authors: Frédéric Richaud, based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud; illustrated by Ivan Gil
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 64 colour pages
Publication: January 2021
£9.99 inc VAT
ISBN: 9781800440050
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/the-battle-book-23-p-4434.html
The battle has been joined. On this first day, Massena desperately holds onto Aspern, the French cavalry charges again and again, but the Emperor cannot seem to break the Austrians. Louis-Francois, stuck on the wrong side of the only available bridge, impatiently waits for repairs to conclude. Not only are his official messages delayed, but he’s also dying to send news to Miss Krauss in Vienna. However, his friend Stendhal, who’s remained with the beautiful Austrian lady, makes some upsetting discoveries …
3/3
Authors: Frédéric Richaud, based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud; illustrated by Ivan Gil
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 64 colour pages
Publication: April 2021
£9.99 inc VAT
ISBN: 9781800440180
https://www.cinebook.co.uk/the-battle-book-33-p-4443.html
Napoleon is furious. It appears the battle can no longer be won. The French cavalry is so exhausted it can’t even gallop when charging. Ammunition is running out, while losses mount horrifically – both in men and in irreplaceable officers … But the Austrians have paid an equally steep price, and a complete defeat may yet be avoided. Louis-François, Paradis, Fayolle … Who will survive the terrible bloodbath – the better to serve again in the next one?
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