Showing Imperial Sunset: Fall of Napoleon 1813-14 by R. F. Delderfield

This vivid history of the political and military decline of Napoleon Bonaparte recounts the unraveling of his grip on Europe, beginning with the Russian incursion into France in 1813 and ending with Napoleon's first exile, to Elba, in 1814.

From his vivid picture of the Cossacks on the Elbe in the Spring of 1813, through the tortuous crumbling of the empire, to Napoleon’s exile to Elba, in 1814, R. F. Delderfield paints a majestic canvas that encompasses within its sweep the Emperor, his family, his warlords and retainers, while never losing sight of the footsore and weary ragged common soldiers on their way home to put up one last heroic fight in the face of doom.

This compelling read takes you through the riches and spoils of one of histories most revered commanders, recounting the military decline of Bonaparte, the loosening of his grip on Europe and his obsession with Britain.

Family, politics and military history are the focus of this masterly study by the Napoleonic scholar RL Delderfield.

“Delderfield writes with gusto, enriching his narrative with innumerable citations from the memoirs and documents of the period and shrewd observations on the characters.” — Boston Globe

“He has his intricate material beautifully in hand, and he writes with grace and conviction.” — Library Journal

“Delderfield whips this history along in an enjoyable style that is both informal and telling.” — Literary Times and Chicagoland

“The facts, the human element, the course of history are all here, told in accurate detail by a master historian.” — McClurg’s Book Review

“Impressive… vivid, shrewd… This book is stamped with spirit and authority.” — London Daily Telegraph

Praise for R F Delderfield:

“Impressive…vivid, shrewd…This book is stamped with spirit and authority” – Daily Telegraph

“Delderfield writes with gusto, enriching his narrative with innumerable citations from the memoirs and documents of the period and shrewd observations on the characters” – Boston Globe

“He has his intricate material beautifully in hand, and he writes with grace and conviction” – Library Journal

“It is always a pleasure to read R F Delderfield, because he never seems to be ashamed of writing well” – Books and Bookmen

“[Delderfield is] a skilled journalist, a raconteur, and a good storyteller” – Choice

Ronald Frederick Delderfield (12 February 1912 – 24 June 1972) was an English novelist and dramatist, some of whose works have been adapted for television.

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