Fire and Sword

Paris, December 1804, and Napoleon has just crowned himself Emperor of France.  He had been elected emperor by a vast majority of the people of France.  By the spring of 1805, Austria is preparing for war.  Napoleon wants to head it off.  He also wants to keep Russia out of the mix.

In September of 1805, Arthur Wellesley returns to London a Major-General and a knight.  Meanwhile Napoleon has come to the realisation that an invasion of Britain is impossible.  He turns his attention to Austria.  Can he defeat Austria before they are joined by the Russians?  Surprisingly the Austrian army at Ulm surrenders before Russian troops can reinforce them.

In late October, Britain achieves a great victory over the French at Trafalgar, but at a terrible cost; Admiral Lord Nelson is killed.  By November, Wellesley is shipping out with an army to the continent.  Upon arrival he is informed of Napoleon's great victory at Austerlitz over the combined forces of Austria and Russia.  Wellesley and his army are recalled to Britain.

Back in Britain, Wellesley is disappointed to find that there are parliamentarians who are clamouring for peace with France.  He continues to train soldiers and lets his name stand for parliament.  He is also committed to marrying the love of his life, Miss Kitty Pakenham.  How much has she changed in the eleven years since he last saw her?

In France, Napoleon is looking to Prussia as his next enemy.  He must keep Russia out of any conflict, and Austria is already cowed.  A rapid advance into Prussia results in two victories at Jena and Auerstadt for the French.  However, the Prussians refused to surrender, retreating towards their Russian allies.  By January 1807, Napoleon and his Grand Army were forced to settle in for the winter in Warsaw.  There Napoleon encounters a young countess named Marie Walewska.  It isn't long before they are lovers.  The French senate has sent a delegation to Napoleon in Warsaw demanding that the war be brought to an end.

Napoleon has a costly victory over the Russians while Wellesley is appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland.  In June of 1807 Napoleon dictates his peace terms to Tsar Alexander.  It is also his intention to humble Prussia.  Now Britain is to be locked out of all European ports.  However, Portugal is refusing to participate in that action.  Napoleon threatens them with war.

At the end of July, Wellesley is ordered to take part in capturing the Danish fleet at Copenhagen.  Will Danish resistance prevent the British army from capturing the fleet before the French army arrives?

By Christmas of 1807 Napoleon's troops have captured Lisbon, but the royal family and the Portuguese navy has fled to Brazil.  He plans to foment dissent in Spain and then step in and take over.  The King of Spain and his heir are forced to abdicate.  Riots in Spain are ruthlessly put down by the French, and before long Napoleon's brother is appointed king.

By the middle of July, 1808 Wellesley had been appointed lieutenant-general and tasked with taking the war to Napoleon through Portugal.  However, upon arrival in Portugal, Wellesley receives communication that more troops will be coming and as a result a more senior officer will be in command.  Wellesley wins his first battle, but his senior officer decides to not follow up the success.  However, the French are prepared to quit Portugal as long as they get to keep their loot and the British ship them home.  Unfortunately, Wellesley's senior agrees to it.  Once news of the armistice reaches London, Wellesley and his two senior officers are recalled to explain themselves.

Having taken control of Madrid, Napoleon sets about pushing the British off the Iberian Penninsula, however his plans are frustrated when he hears news of a conspiracy against him in Paris.  He returns there immediately.

What does the future hold for these two leaders as they deal with a major crisis in their lives.  Once again, author Simon Scarrow has brought history to life.  For any fan of historical fiction and this period in particular, this is a very good read.  I'm looking forward to the concluding book in the series.