"Book on Borodino?" Topic

Looking for a good book on Borodino but with a twist:

Since I will be reading it to my kid, it needs to be pretty exciting and not too dry.

Cornwell's Waterloo book is about the perfect level, being both serious history but also extremely readable.

Any recommendations?

War and Peace

You should get The Battle of Borodino: Napoleon Against Kutuzov by Alexander Mikaberidze. I got it last month and have re-read it a couple times, it's THAT good.
It's a rather short book at 270 pages, and it's full of cool illustrations.
If the book is for a child, perhaps the Osprey Borodino 1812 would be better.
I agree with you on Cornwell's Waterloo, I really liked that book.

That's Death Bed Reading….Jeffreyw3…or if you know you're going to be on the potty longer than an hour or so!

Jeffrey is clearly trying to kill me :)
I read through "quiet flows the Don", that was enough!

Haitian – appreciate the suggestion, sounds like just the ticket.

He's a bright kid and I'll be able to explain things so it can be a bit heavier than if he was reading on his own.

Christopher Duffy produced a slim book on Borodino and the War of 1812 in 1999 (a reprint of his Borodino: Napoleon Against Russia 1812 in 1972)which might be a good starting point for you and your son. You can pick up cheap s/h copies on amazon.

Another vote for the Duffy book if you can get hold of it for a reasonable price (ie, I didn't check Amazon, but I have and enjoy the book.)

George Nafziger wrote a fantastic book about the 1812 Russian campaign. And another on the Batlle of Leipzig.

Would not read Nafziger to an adult, let alone a child. Yes, great info etc…….but….

All going on the wishlist, thanks guys.

Duffy'so concise.

Weasel: For a child, to my mind Duffy would come as close as any to fitting the bill. Any young man expressing an interest in a subject as deeply engrossing as the Napoleonic Wars must be a child of exceptional upbringing, finely honed intelligence, and quick witted perspicacity!!! You are indeed fortunate to be so blessed. John Miller

in my view the state of the art:

Mikaberidze, Alexander : The Battle of Borodino

One of the foremost military historian of our days

It is clear there are many titles and each one will contain aspects and something not found in other accounts. My advice, rather than just go with one title on any battle or campaign, try to obtain and read as many accounts as you possibly can. As shown by the posts above, readers have different viewpoints on different titles and works by different authors.

I would agree completely with that idea.

The more you read, different authors on the same subject or different subjects, the more you might be informed.

The more 'arrows in the quiver' the better.

Excellent post, Gaz.

Gazzola & Brechtel – Oh definitely, just wanted a good starting point to get our feet wet :)

Opted to start with Alexanders book for now.

John – He's a sharp little tack. Too sharp at times :)
So far, he's a fan of Wellington and Ney.

I read your comment to him and he thrust out his chest and strode upstairs proudly to continue reading a book about dragons.

Weasel: Thanks for the update. You must be a proud papa!!! John Miller

Well, you could use Nafziger to put him to sleep, if that is an issue.

"Quiet Flows the Don"? You thought the book was bad….watch the film………… from the guy who brought you Waterloo, with the facilities he had.

Bless him, dragons sounds good/better. Funny thing…… Napoleon had whole regiments of them, even Dragons de la Garde, and still could not beat the peskie Russkis

and still could not beat the peskie Russkis

Beat them in 1805; beat them in 1807; and even though he eventually lost the campaign in 1812, the French repeatedly defeated the Russians in the field-so much so that Kutusov was afraid to meet Napoleon in battle at the Berezina (see Clausewitz).

And he repeatedly beat the Russians in the field (as well as the Prussians) in 1814…