The Battle is the book Balzac always wanted to write and, beginning his story with Balzac's own words ('On Tuesday 16th May 1809 . . .'), Rambaud has finally achieved his predecessor's dream.
The eponymous battle - now commonly described as Napoleon's first major defeat on land in Europe - took place at Essling, near Vienna; forty thousand men died in forty-eight hours. With vivid detail and meticulous accuracy, Rambaud paints a frighteningly convincing picture of the scene, imbuing the reader with a sense of the full horror and fascination of combat. With a cast enlivened by real people - Marshals Berthier, Lanne and Massna, the writer Stendhal, the painter Lejeune and, of course, the Emperor himself, The Battle is at once an incredible and epic book, a captivating literary recreation and a spellbinding portrait of one of history's most enigmatic characters.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, watch or play, look no further than the musicMagpie Store. We sell over half a million new and used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, Games and Vinyl, spanning all kinds of genres and consoles, with prices starting from just £1.09! We also sell a wide range of refurbished Mobile Phones and Tech from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft and much more. With a 12 month quality warranty, you can save with total confidence.