Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt - The Retreat From Moscow

Nonfiction, History, Spain & Portugal, France, Military
Cover of the book Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt - The Retreat From Moscow by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence, Wagram Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence ISBN: 9781908692696
Publisher: Wagram Press Publication: August 17, 2011
Imprint: Wagram Press Language: English
Author: Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
ISBN: 9781908692696
Publisher: Wagram Press
Publication: August 17, 2011
Imprint: Wagram Press
Language: English

Recognized as the most important Napoleonic source discovered in the last hundred years, the three volume memoirs of Napoleon’s Master of Horse are also exceptionally well written, and vivdly protray Napoleon during his disastrous last years of power. The memoirs of one Napoleon’s most senior ministers and closest advisors, with whom he was often very candid, remained unpublished for over a century since they were left by Armand de Caulaincourt, unearthed with by Jean Hanoteau who was eminently familiar with the period, and on part of the French ministry of War’s historical section. The notes and annotations of Capitaine Hanoteau illuminate the text for both the enthusiast of the period and the general reader.
The title of “Master of Horse’ perhaps in modern light does not quite reflect the position that Caulaincourt held within Napoleon’s inner circle. He was responsible for all of the transportation for Napoleon’s headquarters, the messengers that provided the eyes and ears of the campaign and furthermore he was ambassador to Russia for a number of years before hostilities commenced. A highly decorated cavalry officer before his tenure as ambassador, his advice should have been invaluable to the Emperor in assessing the huge undertaking of attacking the Russian empire, and Caulaincourt along with many others were ignored as Napoleon embarked his last invasion. Caulaincourt had much reason to be bitter as the Emperor was quite cruel to him personally, but his narrative maintains balance and although critical of Napoleon’s decisions he does not descend into recriminations.
Caulaincourt’s second volume of the memoirs falls into three parts; the volume opens with the decision to retreat from the untenable position in the charred ruins of Moscow, hardship and danger abound on the epic and deadly retreat of the Grande Armée. Caulaincourt does not pull his punches in his descriptions of the frost-bitten and frozen men who fall under Napoleon’s eagles as they lurch toward Germany, his description of the crossing of the Beresina is amongst the best we have. Chosen as one of the few members of the Emperor’s suite to accompany him to Paris as Napoleon decides to flee the remnant of his army and repair the damage to his position; what follows along with the description of the journey is a stream of consciousness from the lips of Napoleon himself. As they travel Napoleon, muses, discusses and opines on the most diverse topics, his generals, this situation in Spain, the French people, the finances of the state, the capitulation of Baylen, the value of religion to France, the other states of Europe. Invaluable and candid, the portrait of the Emperor is the closest to his true character as can be seen from such a distance of time. The third section focuses on his retreat to the Tuileries and Napoleon’s energetic actions to reform a new army.
Not to be confused with the Charlotte de Sor penned “Recollections of Caulaincourt”, which are apocryphal and according to Tulard of little or no value. This edition is superior to the translated and heavily editted Libraire edition.
Author – Armand Augustin Louis, marquis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence (9th December 1773– 19th February 1827)

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Recognized as the most important Napoleonic source discovered in the last hundred years, the three volume memoirs of Napoleon’s Master of Horse are also exceptionally well written, and vivdly protray Napoleon during his disastrous last years of power. The memoirs of one Napoleon’s most senior ministers and closest advisors, with whom he was often very candid, remained unpublished for over a century since they were left by Armand de Caulaincourt, unearthed with by Jean Hanoteau who was eminently familiar with the period, and on part of the French ministry of War’s historical section. The notes and annotations of Capitaine Hanoteau illuminate the text for both the enthusiast of the period and the general reader.
The title of “Master of Horse’ perhaps in modern light does not quite reflect the position that Caulaincourt held within Napoleon’s inner circle. He was responsible for all of the transportation for Napoleon’s headquarters, the messengers that provided the eyes and ears of the campaign and furthermore he was ambassador to Russia for a number of years before hostilities commenced. A highly decorated cavalry officer before his tenure as ambassador, his advice should have been invaluable to the Emperor in assessing the huge undertaking of attacking the Russian empire, and Caulaincourt along with many others were ignored as Napoleon embarked his last invasion. Caulaincourt had much reason to be bitter as the Emperor was quite cruel to him personally, but his narrative maintains balance and although critical of Napoleon’s decisions he does not descend into recriminations.
Caulaincourt’s second volume of the memoirs falls into three parts; the volume opens with the decision to retreat from the untenable position in the charred ruins of Moscow, hardship and danger abound on the epic and deadly retreat of the Grande Armée. Caulaincourt does not pull his punches in his descriptions of the frost-bitten and frozen men who fall under Napoleon’s eagles as they lurch toward Germany, his description of the crossing of the Beresina is amongst the best we have. Chosen as one of the few members of the Emperor’s suite to accompany him to Paris as Napoleon decides to flee the remnant of his army and repair the damage to his position; what follows along with the description of the journey is a stream of consciousness from the lips of Napoleon himself. As they travel Napoleon, muses, discusses and opines on the most diverse topics, his generals, this situation in Spain, the French people, the finances of the state, the capitulation of Baylen, the value of religion to France, the other states of Europe. Invaluable and candid, the portrait of the Emperor is the closest to his true character as can be seen from such a distance of time. The third section focuses on his retreat to the Tuileries and Napoleon’s energetic actions to reform a new army.
Not to be confused with the Charlotte de Sor penned “Recollections of Caulaincourt”, which are apocryphal and according to Tulard of little or no value. This edition is superior to the translated and heavily editted Libraire edition.
Author – Armand Augustin Louis, marquis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence (9th December 1773– 19th February 1827)

More books from Wagram Press

Cover of the book The Life Of A Regimental Officer During The Great War — 1793-1815 by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Napoleon’s Campaigns in Italy — 1796-1797 and 1800 by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book The Iberian Leech: Napoleon’s Counterinsurgency Operations In The Peninsula, 1807-1810 by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Memoirs of the Late War – Vol. II. by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt - The Russian Campaign by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book The Duke Of Wellington And The Supply System During The Peninsular War by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Recollections of Sir George B. L’Estrange by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book The Great Battles of History by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Mes campagnes (1792-1815) - Notes et correspondance du colonel d'artillerie Pion des Loches by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book A History of the Peninsular War Volume I 1807-1809 by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book The Memoirs of Baron de Marbot - late Lieutenant General in the French Army. Vol. II by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Narrative of a forced journey through Spain and France, as a prisoner of war, in the years 1810 to 1814. Vol. I by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Mémoires du général de Caulaincourt, duc de Vicence, grand écuyer de l’Empereur. Tome I by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Memoirs of Constant - First Valet de Chambre to the Emperor. Vol II by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
Cover of the book Mémoires du comte Belliard, lieutenant-général, pair de France écrits par lui-même by Général de Division Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt, Duc de Vincence
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy