Histoire du Consulat et de l'Empire, (Vol. 06 / 20) faisant suite à l'Histoire de la Révolution Française

The narrative opens in a France still finding its footing after the Revolution, now guided by a powerful leader who juggles diplomatic intrigue and looming military threats. Napoleon keeps his most decisive plans close‑kept, sharing only what he needs to secure the loyalty of a hesitant Bavarian elector, while the nation’s finances strain under war taxes, scarce coinage and risky speculation by a merchants’ consortium that blurs French and Spanish interests.

Against this backdrop, the emperor launches a bold march across the Alps, surprising the Austrian general Mack and sweeping toward the Danube. In a series of rapid engagements—Wertingen, Günzburg and Elchingen—Napoleon’s forces carve a path that isolates enemy armies and forces a stunning capitulation at Ulm. Simultaneously, the French navy wrestles with leadership changes and the looming clash at Trafalgar, setting the stage for further conflict on both land and sea.