History of the Expedition to Russia Undertaken by the Emperor Napoleon in the Year 1812

A seasoned officer turns his notebook into a vivid chronicle of the 1812 campaign, addressing the veterans whose lives were forever altered by the march into Russia. He blends personal recollection with careful maps and seven detailed engravings, offering listeners a clear sense of the army’s scale, the political tensions with Russia, Prussia, Turkey and Sweden, and the restless debates among Napoleon’s inner circle.

The narrative opens with the diplomatic maneuverings that led to war, then follows the Grand Army as it leaves Paris, moves through Poland, and reaches the Niemen River. Along the way, the author captures the soldiers’ hardships, the friction between officers, and the stark contrast between lofty ambitions and the grim reality on the ground. Listeners will hear the same mix of melancholy pride and sober analysis that guided the author as he set out to preserve these memories for future generations.