Stopping Napoleon : War and Intrigue in the Mediterranean - Softcover

Tom Pocock

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0719566045 ISBN 13: 9780719566042

Publisher: John Murray, 2005

Synopsis

After his defeat by Nelson at Trafalgar, Napoleon knew he could never invade England. Many thought he would try to take over the vast, crumbling Ottoman Empire, return to Egypt and even march on India. So the British concentrated on the Mediterranean: for a decade it became the scene of dangers - real or imagined - and of battles - both on land and at sea. All was dictated by a fierce determination to stop Napoleon.There were triumphs and disasters in remote and exotic places, and a Trafalgar in miniature was fought between frigate squadrons in the Adriatic. The Peninsular War might well have been fought in another peninsula: Italy. Bizarre rulers had to be flattered, or fought: the Bourbons in Palmero and Napoleon's dashing brother-in-law, Marshal Murat, King of Naples. The successors to Nelson and predecessors of Wellington fought there, amongst them Lord Collingwood, Sir Sidney Smith and Sir John Moore. Napoleon himself materialised at his most magnificent in Venice and in humiliating exile on Elba. Of course, Napoleon himself did not see it like that, and the outcome was startling for all...

About this title

About the Author:

Tom Pocock has been described as the foremost authority on the Napoleonic Wars. He has written over twenty biographies and narrative histories including lives of Nelson, Sir Sidney Smith, Captain Marryat, King William IV and most recently Terror Before Trafalgar. He lives in London.

Review:

'An absorbing account ... This work is far from merely a chronological list of battles won and lost' -- Nautical Magazine 20041001 'An enthralling read' -- Brighton Argus 20040717 'Landscape and architecture are given ... loving attention' -- Spectator 20040717 'Ideal' -- The Times 'summer non-fiction reading round-up' 20040710 'A fine story-telling manner ... a thrilling account of the way the British outflanked Napoleon.' -- Dover Express 20041028 'Another wonderfully eccentric cast ... this fast-paced, beautifully written account should be read by all aficionados of the age of Nelson and Napoleon.' -- Times Literary Supplement 20040723 'A stirring, often humorous yarn ... Pocock has restored this neglected campaign to its true importance in this lively and important book' -- The Sunday Times 20040613 'A historically solid yet highly readable introduction to this largely unknown phase of our history' -- Literary Review 20041001 'Full of vivid descriptions of key battles and the heroes they created... An interesting book on an unusual topic' -- Military Illustrated 20041201 'A detailed narrative, which is well paced and often humorous, makes a lively read.' -- Scan 20050503 'Whether an expert or novice of the Napoleonic Wars, Stopping Napoleon will not disappoint.' -- Scan 20050503 'The author is one of the foremost authorities on the Napoleonic Wars.' -- Dover Express/Folkestone Herald 20050217 'Fills an important gap ... Stopping Napoleon is a good read and is good narrative history' -- The Northern Mariner 20041001 'A detailed, anything-but-dull account of the political manouevres needed to stop Naploeon's ambitions.' -- Manchester Evening News 20050226 'A stirring, often humorous yarn... Pocock... restored this neglected campaign to its true importance in this lively and important book' -- Sunday Times 20040613 'Compendiously detailed, expert analysis ... No detail escapes Mr Pocock' -- The Spectator 20040717 'This fast-paced, beautifully written account should be read by all aficionados of the age of Nelson and Napoleon.' -- Times Literary Supplement 20040723 'An enthralling account of the fighting and intrigue it took to head him [Napoleon] off' -- The Scotsman 20040807 'Astonishing ... Pocock creeps up on the climax of the campaign, unfurling its grandeur with incredible verve' -- Good Book Guide 20040801 'Pockock's boisterous descriptions of these often neglected battles are superb.' - Ian Pindar -- The Guardian 20050305 '!it is not surprising he has established a reputation as an authority on the naval history of this period!he is a first class story teller'. -- The Review - NHCRA 20050301

About this edition

• Publisher: John Murray
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0719566045
• ISBN 13: 9780719566042
• Binding: Paperback