History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812 By: Philippe-Paul Ségur (1780-1873)
History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812 by Philippe-Paul Ségur provides a detailed and compelling account of one of Napoleon Bonaparte's most disastrous military campaigns. Ségur, who served as a staff officer in the Grand Army, offers a firsthand perspective of the events leading up to the invasion of Russia, as well as the harrowing journey through the Russian countryside and the subsequent retreat. The author's engaging storytelling brings to life the strategic blunders, brutal battles, and harsh winter conditions faced by Napoleon's army as they marched towards Moscow. Ségur's vivid descriptions of the soldiers' suffering and the devastating losses suffered by the French forces highlight the sheer magnitude of the campaign's failure. While Ségur's narrative is undoubtedly biased towards Napoleon, as he served in his army, his account does not shy away from critiquing the Emperor's mistakes and the toll they inflicted on his troops. The author also provides valuable insights into the political and military dynamics of the time, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the ill-fated expedition. Overall, History of the Expedition to Russia offers a gripping and informative account of one of the defining moments of Napoleon's reign, shedding light on the ambition, hubris, and ultimate downfall of one of history's most iconic figures. First Page: HISTORY OF THE EXPEDITION TO RUSSIA, UNDERTAKEN BY THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON, IN THE YEAR 1812. BY GENERAL, COUNT PHILIP DE SEGUR. Quamquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit, Incipiam . VIRGIL. SECOND EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED AND CORRECTED. IN TWO VOLUMES, WITH A MAP AND SEVEN ENGRAVINGS. VOL. I. LONDON: TREUTTEL AND WURTZ, TREUTTEL, JUN. AND RICHTER, 30, SOHO SQUARE. 1825. [Illustration: Portrait of Napoleon] TO THE VETERANS OF THE GRAND ARMY. COMRADES, I have undertaken the task of tracing the History of the Grand Army and its Leader during the year 1812. I address it to such of you as the ices of the North have disarmed, and who can no longer serve their country, but by the recollections of their misfortunes and their glory. Stopped short in your noble career, your existence is much more in the past than in the present; but when the recollections are so great, it is allowable to live solely on them. I am not afraid, therefore, of troubling that repose which you have so dearly purchased, by placing before you the most fatal of your deeds of arms. Who is there of us but knows, that from the depth of his obscurity the looks of the fallen man are involuntarily directed towards the splendor of his past existence even when its light illuminates the shoal on which the bark of his fortune struck, and when it displays the fragments of the greatest of shipwrecks? For myself, I will own, that an irresistible feeling carries me back incessantly to that disastrous epoch of our public and private calamities... Continue reading book >>

History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812 By: Philippe-Paul Ségur (1780-1873)

History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812 by Philippe-Paul Ségur provides a detailed and compelling account of one of Napoleon Bonaparte's most disastrous military campaigns. Ségur, who served as a staff officer in the Grand Army, offers a firsthand perspective of the events leading up to the invasion of Russia, as well as the harrowing journey through the Russian countryside and the subsequent retreat.

The author's engaging storytelling brings to life the strategic blunders, brutal battles, and harsh winter conditions faced by Napoleon's army as they marched towards Moscow. Ségur's vivid descriptions of the soldiers' suffering and the devastating losses suffered by the French forces highlight the sheer magnitude of the campaign's failure.

While Ségur's narrative is undoubtedly biased towards Napoleon, as he served in his army, his account does not shy away from critiquing the Emperor's mistakes and the toll they inflicted on his troops. The author also provides valuable insights into the political and military dynamics of the time, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the ill-fated expedition.

Overall, History of the Expedition to Russia offers a gripping and informative account of one of the defining moments of Napoleon's reign, shedding light on the ambition, hubris, and ultimate downfall of one of history's most iconic figures.

First Page:

HISTORY

OF THE

EXPEDITION TO RUSSIA,

UNDERTAKEN BY THE

EMPEROR NAPOLEON,

IN THE YEAR 1812.

BY GENERAL, COUNT PHILIP DE SEGUR.

Quamquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit, Incipiam .

VIRGIL.

SECOND EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED AND CORRECTED.

IN TWO VOLUMES,

WITH A MAP AND SEVEN ENGRAVINGS.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

TREUTTEL AND WURTZ, TREUTTEL, JUN. AND RICHTER, 30, SOHO SQUARE.

1825.

[Illustration: Portrait of Napoleon]

TO THE

VETERANS OF THE GRAND ARMY.

COMRADES,

I have undertaken the task of tracing the History of the Grand Army and its Leader during the year 1812. I address it to such of you as the ices of the North have disarmed, and who can no longer serve their country, but by the recollections of their misfortunes and their glory. Stopped short in your noble career, your existence is much more in the past than in the present; but when the recollections are so great, it is allowable to live solely on them. I am not afraid, therefore, of troubling that repose which you have so dearly purchased, by placing before you the most fatal of your deeds of arms. Who is there of us but knows, that from the depth of his obscurity the looks of the fallen man are involuntarily directed towards the splendor of his past existence even when its light illuminates the shoal on which the bark of his fortune struck, and when it displays the fragments of the greatest of shipwrecks?

For myself, I will own, that an irresistible feeling carries me back incessantly to that disastrous epoch of our public and private calamities... Continue reading book >>

Book sections
History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812	Histoire de Napoléon et de la Grande-Armée pendant l'année 1812 Tome I	Histoire de Napoléon et de la Grande-Armée pendant l'année 1812 Tome II

Genres for this book
History
War stories

eBook links
Wikipedia – Philippe-Paul Ségur
Wikipedia – History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812

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