The book The Generals by Simon Scarrow is an amazing non-fiction story about two brave, ambitious and fearless leaders; Napoleon and Wellington. This is the second book in the Revolution series and comes after young bloods.My favorite part in the book is Napoleon's campaign in Italy and how he was able to lead an army without proper supplies or equipment. The campaign in Italy was just after the French revolution and all of France's supplies had been drained. It wasn’t a surprise when Napoleon saw his army and most solders didn’t have any guns or boots and yet he took over ItalyWhile Napoleon lead "The Army Of Italy", Wellington had his own problems in India. In India the Ottoman Empire was threatening British trade and Wellington was sent to protect the trade routes. Wellington, an aristocrat had a talent on the violin and had been sent to the army because his family was in debt.In the next book, Wellington kicks Napoleon out of Spain. The series "Revolution" follows the parallel paths of Napoleon and Wellington until there paths meet at Waterloo.
This book follows on where 'Young Bloods' left off. Wellington has much more action and excitment than in the last book but unfortunately still falls short of whats happening in Napoleon's life and I enjoyed the latters chapters much more. This book was also lacking in the more personal touch, there are lots of battles. I know this happened and their were lots of battles but there are only so many times the same thing happening can keep my interest. I found most of the battle scenes dull. I was also dissapointed we didn't get to see Pauline's reaction when she learned Napoleon had left her and returned to France. I'm also suprised at how much of a walkover Napoleon is when it comes to his wife! I don't have the other two books in the Quartet and I'm not going to make any effort to acquire them but I would read them if they happened to come my way.
Napoleon and Wellington are both developing their careers, in quite different ways. Napleon through a campaign in Italy against Austria which leads to One in Egypt. Wellington, on the other hand ends up campaigning in India under his brother Robert who becomes the government's senior representative in the country. The result for Napoleon is that he becomes First consul in the first step of France moving away from the revolutionary leaders. Wellington's organisation of the army in India, and his campaigns, strengthen the English hold on the country. Another well written book with interesting insights into how each of their careers develop, and how good their military minds are.
—Kate Millin
To put this simply, the four books that comprise the 'Revolution' quartet are a parallel biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, (the corsican who almost made us all learn French), and The Duke of Wellington, (who was Irish and is credited with preventing that outcome). Neither is a very nice person. The books and the story are among the best I've ever read, fiction or non-fiction. Each is the size of a very thick brick, so resign yourself to a long and enjoyable journey. But Books for the Beach they're not, unless you're on a very, very, very long holiday.
—Neil
