“Friends must always be treated as if one day they might be enemies.”
Imagine being so powerful an entire continent spends over a decade attempting to bring you down. That was the position Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte found himself in during the period known as the ‘Napoleonic Wars’, a period of near-constant conflict between all major European powers between May 1803 and October 1815. It was a conflict that would have a profound impact on global history, shaping borders and countries that still exist to this day and ushering in new political, military, and cultural thought schools that remain influential. Join us at What We Reading for all the best Historical Non-Fiction Napoleonic Wars books!
Waterloo: The History Of Four Days, Three Armies And Three Battles – Bernard Cornwell
Bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, renowned for bringing history to life through his storytelling, brings this vivid imagery into his first non-fiction book, Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies, and Three Battles.
One of the most famous and significant battles in all of history, the Battle of Waterloo marked the final chapter of the Napoleonic Wars. Combining three armies, four days and a defining moment in European history, Cornwell masterfully brings to life what the fighting on the ground level was like for British, French and Prussian forces from private to general level. Cornwell’s work is a vivid masterpiece at exposing the heroism and misery on both sides of the battle, perfectly capturing what makes Waterloo such a timeless piece of history.
Moscow 1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March – Adam Zamoyski
By 1810, the majority of Europe considered Napoleon nearly unstoppable. Having conquered most of the continent, his focus turned towards Russia. His ensuing invasion of Russia has gone down as one of the most dramatic chapters in the annals of history.
One of the best Napoleonic books for covering the invasion, the subsequent retreat and how it has gone down as one of Europe’s biggest turning points, Adam Zamoyski’s Moscow 1812 whisks readers to the heart of Napoleon’s invasion force, pulling back the curtain on the horrendous conditions, dwindling morale and how the whole campaign marked the beginning of the end for the French Emperor.
The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History – Alexander Mikaberidze
One of the best Historical Non-Fiction books from 2020 as well as one of the far-reaching Napoleonic Wars books ever written, Alexander Mikaberidze condenses all there is to know about the effects and ramifications of nearly non-stop conflict on the European continent in The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History.
Mikaberidze breaks with tradition, challenging the conventional view that the Napoleonic Wars were exclusively a European affair. He argues that grasping the full impact of the conflict requires adopting an internationalist perspective. To achieve this, he takes readers on a region-by-region guide into the fallout and effects of the conflict. Skilly narrated and thoroughly researched, The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History takes readers across the Americas, Asia, and Africa, exploring some of the key events that were kicked into action on the back of the Napoleonic Wars.
The First Total War: Napoleon’s Europe And The Birth Of Warfare As We Know It – David A. Bell
The term ‘Total War’ has historically been attributed to twentieth-century conflicts, namely the First and Second World Wars. However, in The First Total War, distinguished British historian David A. Bell argues the term actually has its roots in the era of Enlightenment, revolution, caskets, muskets and frigates.
Bell takes readers on a journey into the conflict, illuminating how contemporary occurrences in warfare made their debut during the Napoleonic Wars. From guerilla tactics to conscription, and unconditional surrender to the disregarding of the rules of combat, The First Total War is a great resource for putting the wars and their impact into the context they deserve.
Napoleon: A Life Told In Gardens And Shadows – Ruth Scurr
Hailed as one of the best books of the year by The Times, Ruth Scurr’s Napoleon: A Life Told In Gardens And Shadows is a 2021 Historical Biography focusing on the French Emperor and the natural world. Presenting one of the most unique perspectives on ‘the Great Man’, Scurr explores how gardening was one of Napoleon’s first loves and how gardens and forests often acted as a means of escaping the chaos of his battlegrounds.
Making use of contemporary and historical sources, Ruth Scurr’s book is a stunning piece of historical writing that lifts the lid on one of the most defining leaders of all time.
British Frigate Vs French Frigate: 1793-1814 – Mark Lardas
Covering the period between the Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars, Mark Lardas’ British Frigate vs. French Frigate: 1793-1814 is the ultimate resource for understanding the ins and outs of naval warfare between the two nations. The Age of Fighting Sail, also known as a period roughly from 1650-1820, Lardas explores how the British built and maintained naval superiority through the construction and operation of their fleet, while the French aimed to nip and exploit any weaknesses they exposed in British naval power.
Taking readers behind the scenes into the lives and times of some of the bravest soldiers in history, Lardas’ work continues to be one of the best Napoleonic Wars books for those interested in all things to do with Europe’s mightiest navies.
The Life Of A General in Napoleon’s Light Cavalry: The Memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Curély – Andrew W. Field
Andrew W. Field’s The Life of a General in Napoleon’s Light Cavalry is the first English translation of the memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Curély. Not only is this a remarkably unique take on the Napoleonic Wars, but it sheds light on an underrepresented part of life in the heart of a conflict. Through Curély’s notes, readers gain an understanding of the reconnaissance and raiding involved with being a member of Napoleon’s Light Cavalry.
Stretching from his enrollment in the army, retreat from Moscow, and defeat at Waterloo The Life Of A General in Napoleon’s Light Cavalry provides some of the most eye-opening accounts of day-to-day life in Europe’s greatest army.
Check Out The Best Books On Napoleon Bonaparte
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
