ABSTRACT
Europe's great powers formed two powerful coalitions against France, yet force of numbers, superior leadership and the patriotic fervor of France's citizen-soldiers not only defeated each in turn, but closed the era of small, professional armies fighting for limited political objectives. This period produced commanders such as Napoleon and Nelson, whose names remain a by-word for excellence to this day. From Italy to Egypt Napoleon demonstrated his strategic genius and mastery of tactics in battles including Rivoli, the Pyramids and Marengo. Nelson's spectacular sea victories at the Nile and Copenhagen were foretastes of a century of British naval supremacy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part |5 pages
Background to war
part |2 pages
Warring Sides
part |6 pages
Outbreak
part |42 pages
The fighting
part |5 pages
Portrait of a sailor
part |6 pages
The world around war
part |4 pages
Portrait of a civilian
part |3 pages
How the war ended
part |8 pages
Conclusion and consequences