Tag Archives: The Napoleonic Wars

His Majesty’s Dragon

Posted on April 14, 2021 by smellincoffee

His Majesty’s Dragon© 2006 Naomi Novik384 pages William Laurence’s career was all set: a ship of his own, a fair French prize in his sights, and fiance waiting for him at home.  But then, in the hold of the French … Continue reading →

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Napoleon: Life and Legacy

Posted on October 22, 2020 by smellincoffee

Napoleon: Life and Legacy© 2011 Alan Forrest403 pages Napoleon is an unavoidable figure of European history, and enjoys no shortage of admirers even today. For years he dominated a continent, using native talents given abundant opportunities opened by the revolution … Continue reading →

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Any Approaching Enemy

Posted on October 6, 2020 by smellincoffee

France roils in revolution, its armies are opposed to most of Europe, and on the seas the Royal Navy is hunting its prey. A large French fleet is out and about — doing what, no one is sure. But they’re … Continue reading →

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Bonaparte’s Sons

Posted on April 6, 2020 by smellincoffee

Bonaparte’s Sons © 1998 Richard Howard 400 pages This is the second (of three) posts published during Read of England which have nothing to do with England. I’m trying to get them out of the way before the English stuff … Continue reading →

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Rifleman Dodd and The Gun

Posted on April 6, 2018 by smellincoffee

The Gun, and Rifleman Dodd© 1933 C.S. Forester311 pages “There was sorrow in Dodd’s heart as he looked down on the pitiful scene, but it did not prevent him from turning away and setting himself to survey the next adventurous … Continue reading →

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The Return of Horatio Hornblower

Posted on March 24, 2018 by smellincoffee

Hornblower AddendumCollected 2011 eNet press79 pages Has it been eight years since I last sailed with Horatio Hornblower?  The naval adventure series by C.S. Forester, and the A&E movie series based on it were one of the highlights of 2010, … Continue reading →

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Master and Commander

Posted on April 15, 2016 by smellincoffee

Master and Commander© 1969 Patrick O’Brian411 pages This morning, in a quiet courtyard, I finished Master and Commander, the first book in Patrick O’Brian’s Napoleonic naval stories.  These have been recommended to me ever since I finished Horatio Hornblower, though … Continue reading →

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The Age of Revolution

Posted on April 25, 2014 by smellincoffee

History of the English-Speaking Peoples: The Age of Revolution© 1955 Sir Winston Churchill332 pages The third volume in Winston Churchill’s “History of the English Speaking Peoples” begins with the most dramatic assumption of power in modern English history.  In the … Continue reading →

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Waterloo

Posted on April 20, 2014 by smellincoffee

Waterloo© 1990 Bernard Cornwell378 pages Although Napoleon Bonaparte came from Corsican royalty, his upbringing evidently lacked manners, else he would know it is most uncouth to interrupt a ball with a massive invasion. After years of brutal fighting in Portugal … Continue reading →

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Sharpe’s Christmas

Posted on December 31, 2013 by smellincoffee

Sharpe’s Christmas© 2003 Bernard Cornwell104 pages Sharpe’s Christmas collects two stories which do the seemingly impossible, in honoring the Christmas spirit while simultaneously being action-adventure tales starring Richard Sharpe. Sharpe doesn’t lend himself easily to Christmas stories; he is not … Continue reading →

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