"Review: The Burning of Moscow: Napoleon’s Trial ..." Topic

…by Fire, 1812 by Alexander Mikaberidze.

" number of good titles have been published in recent years that deal with Napoleon's disastrous campaign against Russia in 1812. However, few have considered in any great detail the conflagration that engulfed Moscow, all but destroying what was one of Europe's greatest cities of the time. Indeed most historians concentrate on the following destruction of the Grand Army, as it desperately attempted to retreat through the harrowing Russian winter while under almost constant harassment from the enemy. Thankfully Dr Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of History at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, has now filled this glaring gap with one of the most extensive and interesting studies in recent decades.

Mikaberidze begins his book with a number of in-depth analyses to set the scene for the reader. These include the immediate events before the French arrival at Moscow and a description of the city itself as it was in 1812. The author also considers the two key personae dramatis, Fyodor Rostopchin, the Governor of Moscow, and Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Indeed no understanding of the destruction of Moscow can be properly understood without first gaining an appreciation of the views and feelings of these two men in the context of late 1812. With the scene set Mikaberidze offers the reader an in-depth description of events that took place during the French occupation of the city, and the following fires that raged for days. The behaviour of both the conquering troops and the Muscovites themselves are fully explored, shedding much light on the often unsavoury actions of the protagonists of both sides. Equally as interesting is the author's analysis of who was actually to blame for the starting of the fires, presenting a review of the evidence, and questioning some of the previously long-held beliefs of generations of historians. Finally Mikaberidze ends his book by examining Napoleon's desperate quest to secure peace with the Russian Emperor, and a politically acceptable way out of the mess that was his campaign of 1812…"

Full review here.
link

Amicalement
Armand

Tango,
That is about 1/2 of the copyrighted work Mark Simner posted on his blog. What part of "copyrighted" do you not understand? What part of "acknowledge the original author" do you not understand?