Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle
"[A] book that everyone should have in their library..." — A Wargamers Needful Things

During October 2016 Paul Dawson visited French archives in Paris to continue his research surrounding the events of the Napoleonic Wars. Some of the material he examined had never been accessed by researchers or historians before, the files involved having been sealed in 1816. These seals remained unbroken until Paul was given permission to break them to read the contents.

Forget what you have read about the battle on the Mont St Jean on 18 June 1815; it did not happen that way. The start of the battle was delayed because of the state of the ground – not so. Marshal Ney destroyed the French cavalry in his reckless charges against the Allied infantry squares – wrong. The stubborn defense of Hougoumont, the key to Wellington’s victory, where a plucky little garrison of British Guards held the farmhouse against the overwhelming force of Jerome Bonaparte’s division and the rest of II Corps – not true. Did the Union Brigade really destroy d’Erlon’s Corps, did the Scots Greys actually attack a massed French battery, did La Haie Sainte hold out until late in the afternoon?

All these and many more of the accepted stories concerning the battle are analyzed through accounts (some 200 in all) previously unpublished, mainly derived through French sources, with startling conclusions. Most significantly of all is the revelation of exactly how, and why, Napoleon was defeated.

Waterloo, The Truth at Last demonstrates, through details never made available to the general public before, how so much of what we think we know about the battle simply did not occur in the manner or to the degree previously believed. This book has been described as ‘a game changer’, and is certain to generate enormous interest, and will alter our previously-held perceptions – forever.
1125854220
Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle
"[A] book that everyone should have in their library..." — A Wargamers Needful Things

During October 2016 Paul Dawson visited French archives in Paris to continue his research surrounding the events of the Napoleonic Wars. Some of the material he examined had never been accessed by researchers or historians before, the files involved having been sealed in 1816. These seals remained unbroken until Paul was given permission to break them to read the contents.

Forget what you have read about the battle on the Mont St Jean on 18 June 1815; it did not happen that way. The start of the battle was delayed because of the state of the ground – not so. Marshal Ney destroyed the French cavalry in his reckless charges against the Allied infantry squares – wrong. The stubborn defense of Hougoumont, the key to Wellington’s victory, where a plucky little garrison of British Guards held the farmhouse against the overwhelming force of Jerome Bonaparte’s division and the rest of II Corps – not true. Did the Union Brigade really destroy d’Erlon’s Corps, did the Scots Greys actually attack a massed French battery, did La Haie Sainte hold out until late in the afternoon?

All these and many more of the accepted stories concerning the battle are analyzed through accounts (some 200 in all) previously unpublished, mainly derived through French sources, with startling conclusions. Most significantly of all is the revelation of exactly how, and why, Napoleon was defeated.

Waterloo, The Truth at Last demonstrates, through details never made available to the general public before, how so much of what we think we know about the battle simply did not occur in the manner or to the degree previously believed. This book has been described as ‘a game changer’, and is certain to generate enormous interest, and will alter our previously-held perceptions – forever.
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Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle

Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle

by Paul L Dawson
Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle

Waterloo: The Truth At Last: Why Napoleon Lost the Great Battle

by Paul L Dawson

Paperback

$39.95 
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Overview

"[A] book that everyone should have in their library..." — A Wargamers Needful Things

During October 2016 Paul Dawson visited French archives in Paris to continue his research surrounding the events of the Napoleonic Wars. Some of the material he examined had never been accessed by researchers or historians before, the files involved having been sealed in 1816. These seals remained unbroken until Paul was given permission to break them to read the contents.

Forget what you have read about the battle on the Mont St Jean on 18 June 1815; it did not happen that way. The start of the battle was delayed because of the state of the ground – not so. Marshal Ney destroyed the French cavalry in his reckless charges against the Allied infantry squares – wrong. The stubborn defense of Hougoumont, the key to Wellington’s victory, where a plucky little garrison of British Guards held the farmhouse against the overwhelming force of Jerome Bonaparte’s division and the rest of II Corps – not true. Did the Union Brigade really destroy d’Erlon’s Corps, did the Scots Greys actually attack a massed French battery, did La Haie Sainte hold out until late in the afternoon?

All these and many more of the accepted stories concerning the battle are analyzed through accounts (some 200 in all) previously unpublished, mainly derived through French sources, with startling conclusions. Most significantly of all is the revelation of exactly how, and why, Napoleon was defeated.

Waterloo, The Truth at Last demonstrates, through details never made available to the general public before, how so much of what we think we know about the battle simply did not occur in the manner or to the degree previously believed. This book has been described as ‘a game changer’, and is certain to generate enormous interest, and will alter our previously-held perceptions – forever.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781399077415
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 09/30/2023
Pages: 568
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

Paul L. Dawson BSc Hons MA, MIFA, FINS, is a historian, field archaeologist and author who has written more than twenty books, his specialty being the French Army of the Napoleonic Wars. As well as speaking French and having an in-depth knowledge of French archival sources, Paul is also an historical tailor producing museum-quality replica clothing, the study of which has given him a unique understanding of the Napoleonic era.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Introduction ix

Chapter 1 1815 1

Chapter 2 Hougoumont: Round One 23

Chapter 3 Legros, Bouche or Bonnet? 42

Chapter 4 La Have Sainte: Round One 68

Chapter 5 Quiot's Division 83

Chapter 6 Durutte's First Attack 109

Chapter 7 Jacquinot's Lancers 122

Chapter 8 Frischermont 144

Chapter 9 The Prussians Emerge 159

Chapter 10 Hougoumont: Round Two 177

Chapter 11 Delort's 14th Cavalry Division 196

Chapter 12 Lhéritier's 11th Cavalry Division 226

Chapter 13 Allied Reaction 243

Chapter 14 La Haye Sainte: Round Two 270

Chapter 15 Reille Goes on the Offensive 281

Chapter 16 Guyot Charges with the Cavalry Reserve 298

Chapter 17 Plancenoit 316

Chapter 18 The Old Guard attack Plancenoit 336

Chapter 19 d'Erlon's Offensive 352

Chapter 20 1st Battalion 3rd Grenadiers 376

Chapter 21 2nd Battalion 2nd Grenadiers 402

Chapter 22 Defeat 420

Chapter 23 Genappe to Paris 440

Chapter 24 Waterloo Casualties 448

Chapter 25 The Analysis 469

Bibliography 504

Index 521

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