J
I'm not really qualified to review this book, as much of what I found most compelling were the mini-essays included in the portrayal of the invasion of Russia by Napoleon, and I just don't have the historical context required to understand how much is accurate, how much is a product of its time, and how much was genuinely novel.
They are, however, fascinating. The portrayal of Napoleon is interesting, and the emphasis on focusing on the "spirit" of the people (both soldiers and civilians) as driving history is compelling. There are other parts that are easier to reject (divine direction, his presentation of marriage) with modern ideas, but I don't know how to put them in the context of his time. I will, with or without additional context, likely come back to many of them to read again.
The actual story is slow and plodding (especially the first two books), and there are bits I would remove. But, I was connected to the characters and their journeys, and ultimately consider the story pretty good as well.
I'm not really qualified to review this book, as much of what I found most compelling were the mini-essays included in the portrayal of the invasion of Russia by Napoleon, and I just don't have the historical context required to understand how much is accurate, how much is a product of its time, and how much was genuinely novel.
They are, however, fascinating. The portrayal of Napoleon is interesting, and the emphasis on focusing on the "spirit" of the people (both soldiers and civilians) as driving history is compelling. There are other parts that are easier to reject (divine direction, his presentation of marriage) with modern ideas, but I don't know how to put them in the context of his time. I will, with or without additional context, likely come back to many of them to read again.
The actual story is slow and plodding (especially the first two books), and there are bits I would remove. But, I was connected to the characters and their journeys, and ultimately consider the story pretty good as well.