End of the Old Order: Napoleon and Europe, 1801-1805 Book

Frederick Kagan's first volume of a projected four volume series covering Napoleon and Europe provides the reader with a detailed and well researched account of the events leading up to and the conclusion of Napoleon's 1805 campaign against the Third Coalition.

I was a bit worried after reading some other readers comments that this book was going to be a anti-Napoleon tirade, glad to say it wasn't as bad as that. In many cases where the audience does not have access to the material used in the research of a book we have to trust the author. It would seem that Mr Kagan has gone to some lengths in researching this book and provides numerous notes to support his research.

I may not have agreed with everything he said about Napoleon and his actions but I didn't feel that he was going over the top to destroy my vision of Napoleon as a great military commander. I sometimes felt he could have given Napoleon more credit then he did but the author always attempted to show why he made certain statements.

The book does provide a in-depth diplomatic, political and military account of the events leading up to the 1805 campaign with a lot more about the Ulm encirclement and combats after the Austrian surrender that I had not read about previously, including the Battle of Durnstein, relevant to me as I had just walked through that very small town on the Danube not aware of the battle fought there between French and Russian forces.

The author's account of the Battle of Austerlitz was detailed and he provided numerous maps to follow the various actions. He also provide notes comparing the numerous sources and issues raised within those sources. The book does not end with the close of fighting on that fateful day but follows the many political and diplomatic going-ons between the various leaders and nations.

Overall I enjoyed this book enough to say that I will be ordering the next volume in the series as soon as its published.