The Battle: A New History of Waterloo offers a vivid, ground-level account of one of Europe’s most decisive clashes. At Waterloo, roughly 70,000 men under Napoleon faced a comparable force under the Duke of Wellington in a struggle that many believed would determine the course of European history.
Italian historian Alessandro Barbero distinguishes his narrative by drawing on voices from across the armies involved. British, French, and Prussian soldiers all speak through their letters, reports, and memories, giving a fuller picture of how the day unfolded.
Barbero follows the battle from the opening attacks on Hougoumont through brutal cavalry charges, infantry squares under fire, and close-quarters fighting around farmhouses, culminating in the final, desperate charge of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. Individual moments of bravery, fear, and confusion are woven into a clear overview of the battle’s changing momentum.
This history will appeal to readers interested in the Napoleonic Wars, military campaigns, and the human reality of warfare. It combines detailed research with an accessible narrative to show both the strategic significance of Waterloo and the profound cost borne by those who fought there.
- Detailed reconstruction of the Battle of Waterloo
- Perspectives from British, French, and Prussian soldiers
- Focus on both strategy and personal experience
- Ideal for military history and Napoleonic war enthusiasts
