"Book review - Jomini's 'The Campaign of Waterloo' (Leonaur)" Topic

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Sebastian Palmer	16 Mar 2015 2:19 p.m. PST
Hi I just read, and throughly enjoyed the following very slim book, only about half of which is actually about the theme suggested by the title! The Campaign of Waterloo – Antoine Henri Jomini (Leonaur) This might prove contentious, but… Jomini is much easier to read and enjoy, I find, than Clausewitz, at least inasmuch as the latter's work is rendered in the Greenhill Napoleonic Library edition of his 'Campaign of 1812 in Russia'. I reviewed the latter for Amazon some time back, here: Campaign of 1812 in Russia – Clausewitz (Greenhill Napoleonic Librar) … in case anyone's interested in that one as well…
Sparta	17 Mar 2015 4:54 a.m. PST
Clausewitz analysis of the Wtaerloo campaign – recently translated to lingua franca (english today) – is in my view the best analysis I have ever read. Jomini was in my view not that sharp – some (Nosworthy) describes him as never understanding the difference between the SYW and the Napoleonic period.
138SquadronRAF	17 Mar 2015 7:16 a.m. PST
von Moltke the Elder is credited with finally removing the influence Jomini on the thinking of the Prussian General Staff in the 1850's. Jomini was the most influential thinkers on the generals on both sides of the American Civil War. Make of those facts what you will. Nice finds btw.
Trajanus	17 Mar 2015 10:10 a.m. PST
The only reason Jomini was "influential" in the Civil War was because his was the only thesis taught at West Point and Dennis Hart Mahan thought that was 'a good idea'! Hence, he was number one, in a field of one! Not a recommendation!
138SquadronRAF	17 Mar 2015 12:31 p.m. PST
In fairness Jomini is readable and fairly easily comprehensible. Clausewitz is a more challenging author.
Trajanus	17 Mar 2015 1:38 p.m. PST
Actually that's one of the criticisms leveled at Jomini that he was more of an author than a thinker but whatever. Personally, my beef is that in his book he makes a point on it not possible for successful attacks to be made in line when Wellington was doing it all over the place but of course Jomini was focused elsewhere.
Art	17 Mar 2015 2:01 p.m. PST
G'Day For those who would like to download and read Jomini's book on Waterloo, and its in English. link Best Regards Art
138SquadronRAF	17 Mar 2015 3:48 p.m. PST
Art. Cheers mate,good find! Elliott

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