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THIS book is not intended to be a history of Europe between the years 1813 and 1815, It is a personal history of Napoleon during that period, and European affairs are only introduced so far as they are necessary for clearness. A vast amount of Napoleonic literature has been published during the last ten or fifteen years, and with the greater part of that literature the present writer claims to be acquainted. The result of this has been not only to bring to light many facts which were previously unknown, but to modify in many respects the judgments passed upon Napoleon's actions by competent historians. For instance, no action of Napoleon has been more universally condemned than his refusal to accept terms of peace during the armistice of 181 3, but the analysis of the policy of Metternich made by M. Albert Sorel in his last published volume has shown that it would have been impossible for Napoleon to have acted otherwise. It is believed that the result of these researches now finds place for the first time in an English book, and the view of Napoleon's character and conduct, which is rather indicated in these pages than positively stated, is different to that generally held by English historians. For reasons which have been thought sufficient, the pages of this book have not been burdened by foot-notes or references, but a list of the chief authorities has been placed at the end of each chapter, and a bibliography of the works consulted has been added. It should be mentioned that the campaign of 1813 has been studied by the present writer minutely on the spot. The important period between the battle of Waterloo and the embarkation of Napoleon on the Northumberland has been treated with a fullness which recent investigation has made possible, but the deliberations of the English Cabinet during this momentous interval still await complete elucidation. The writer desires to express his warm thanks to Mr. Clement Shorter and to Mr. A. M. Broadley for their kind encouragement and assistance in preparing

Oscar Browning Contents

Mr. J. Holland Rose in Morning Post. - "A story which should command the attention of the general reader from its intrinsic interest ; above all, it merits the attention of all who are about to take up the military profession."

World. - "The story of Napoleon's childhood . . . could not have had an abler or more sympathetic narrator than the author of this very fascinating work ... to be welcomed as an extremely valuable contribution to the study of a superlatively great historic figure."

Evening Standard. - " We have not read anywhere a more interesting, a more detailed account of the childhood, schooldays, and early dramatic episodes in the life of this obscure Corsican youth who was destined to alter the map of Europe."

Daily News. - "Mr. Browning has with patience, labour, careful study, and excellent taste given us a very valuable book, which will add materially to the literature on this most fascinating of human personalities."

Guardian. - " Mr. Oscar Browning's volume is of great interest. It is embellished with portraits, it is clearly printed, it has an admirable index. It is, moreover, a valuable addition to Napoleonic literature."

Literary World. - " Mr. Browning has examined all the available sources of information and carefully weighed his historical evidence. This discriminating treatment has resulted in a book . . . that arrests attention by the conviction its reasoned conclusions carry."

Birmingham Post. - " The product of scholarly erudition, for what Mr. Browning has not read on the subject is not worth reading - joined with critical acumen and a thorough appreciation of the human side of genius."

Napoleon'S Campaign In Poland, 1806

1807. A Military History of Napoleon's First War with Russia, verified from unpublished official documents. By F. Loraine Petre, With 16 Full-page Illustrations, Maps and Plans. New Edition. Demy 8vo. 12s. 6d. net.

Times. - -" From every point of view it is difficult to overpraise Mr. Petre's work. It is evidently the work of laborious study, and all authorities are judicially weighed. The references and copious foot-notes are admirable. . . . The maps are clear and excellent. . . . And the descriptions of the more striking episodes are as picturesque as they are vivid and lucid."

Contemporary Review, - 11 1 do not know whether Mr. Petre has had actual experience of war, but his battle-pieces are singularly graphic, the description of the Battle of Eylau, in particular, being almost as good as the masterpieces of Carlyle and Tolstoi. . . . The work is a valuable addition to the histories of the Napoleonic wars."

Army and Navy Gazette.- - "We have read his book with extreme interest, and have a very high opinion of the masterly way in which he has assembled his materials, the skill with which he has balanced the opinions of various writers, and the ability with which he has brought out his conclusions."

Athenceum. - "The military student will be well repaid by a perusal of this excellent narrative of one of the greatest schemes in the history of warfare."

Napoleon'S Conquest Of Prussia, 1806

By F. Loraine Petre, Author of " Napoleon's Campaign in Poland, 1806-7." With an Introduction by Field- Marshal Earl Roberts, K.G., V.C., etc. With 16 Full-page Illustrations, numerous Maps, Battle Plans, and Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 12s, 6d. net.

%* The campaign of Jena, with which this volume deals, was certainly Napoleon's most complete and decisive success, even if its supremacy, as a chef d'oeuvre of military art, is rivalled by the campaigns of 1796 and others. It is described more fully than in any previous English work, and the best Continental criticisms of its strategy and tactics are fully stated and discussed. It is of the highest interest not only to the military student, hut also to all Englishmen ; for it affords the most striding object lesson of the disastrous consequences which may fall upon a nation which is unprepared for contemporary war, and relies with overweening confidence on an antiquated military system.