The Burning of Moscow

Napoleon's Trail By Fire 1812

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 19th Century, European General
Cover of the book The Burning of Moscow by Alexander Mikaberidze, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Alexander Mikaberidze ISBN: 9781473834491
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: February 11, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Alexander Mikaberidze
ISBN: 9781473834491
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: February 11, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

As soon as Napoleon and his Grand Army entered Moscow, on 14 September 1812, the capital erupted in flames that eventually engulfed and destroyed two thirds of the city. The fiery devastation had a profound effect on the Grand Army, but for thirty-five days Napoleon stayed, making increasingly desperate efforts to achieve peace with Russia. Then, in October, almost surrounded by the Russians and with winter fast approaching, he abandoned the capital and embarked on the long, bitter retreat that destroyed his army. The month-long stay in Moscow was a pivotal moment in the war of 1812 – the moment when the initiative swung towards the Tsar's armies and spelled doom for the invading Grand Army – yet it has rarely been studied in the same depth as the other key events of the campaign.

Alexander Mikaberidze, in this third volume of his in-depth reassessment of the war between the French and Russian empires, emphasizes the importance of the Moscow fire and shows how Russian intransigence sealed the fate of the French army. He uses a vast array of French, German, Polish and Russian memoirs, letters and diaries as well as archival material in order to tell the dramatic story of the Moscow fire. Not only does he provide a comprehensive account of events, looking at them from both the French and Russian points of view, but he explores the Russians' motives for leaving, then burning their capital. Using extensive eyewitness accounts, he paints a vivid picture of the harsh reality of life in the remains of the occupied city and describes military operations around Moscow at this turning point in the campaign.

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

As soon as Napoleon and his Grand Army entered Moscow, on 14 September 1812, the capital erupted in flames that eventually engulfed and destroyed two thirds of the city. The fiery devastation had a profound effect on the Grand Army, but for thirty-five days Napoleon stayed, making increasingly desperate efforts to achieve peace with Russia. Then, in October, almost surrounded by the Russians and with winter fast approaching, he abandoned the capital and embarked on the long, bitter retreat that destroyed his army. The month-long stay in Moscow was a pivotal moment in the war of 1812 – the moment when the initiative swung towards the Tsar's armies and spelled doom for the invading Grand Army – yet it has rarely been studied in the same depth as the other key events of the campaign.

Alexander Mikaberidze, in this third volume of his in-depth reassessment of the war between the French and Russian empires, emphasizes the importance of the Moscow fire and shows how Russian intransigence sealed the fate of the French army. He uses a vast array of French, German, Polish and Russian memoirs, letters and diaries as well as archival material in order to tell the dramatic story of the Moscow fire. Not only does he provide a comprehensive account of events, looking at them from both the French and Russian points of view, but he explores the Russians' motives for leaving, then burning their capital. Using extensive eyewitness accounts, he paints a vivid picture of the harsh reality of life in the remains of the occupied city and describes military operations around Moscow at this turning point in the campaign.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book British Campaigns in the South Atlantic 1805-1807 by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book The Age of Invincible by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book The Kaiser’s Reluctant Conscript by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book The Germans in Flanders 1915–1916 by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Free to Fight Again by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Fortress Falklands by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Naseby-June 1645 by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Battle of the Bulge by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Assaults From the Sky by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Discovering Classical Music: Gluck by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book The Devils Doctors by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book John Talbot and the War in France 1427-1453 by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Rails Across Europe by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book Buller: A Scapegoat? by Alexander Mikaberidze
Cover of the book The African Wars by Alexander Mikaberidze
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