Main description:

Napoleon dominated nearly all of Europe by 1810, largely succeeding in his aim to reign over the civilized world. But Britain eluded him. To conquer the island nation, he needed Russia's Tsar Alexander's help. The Tsar refused, and Napoleon vowed to teach him a lesson by intimidation and force. The ensuing invasion of Russia, during the frigid winter of 1812, would mark the beginning of the end of Napoleon's empire. Although his army captured Moscow after a brutal march deep into hostile territory, it was a hollow victory for the demoralized troops. Napoleon's men were eventually turned back, and their defeat was a momentous turning point in world affairs. Dramatic, insightful, and enormously absorbing, Moscow 1812 is a masterful work of history.

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“A brilliant, chilling account.”

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“A harrowing account. ... Utterly admirable. It combines clarity of thought and prose with a strong narrative drive.”

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“Adam Zamoyski’s account of the 1812 campaign is so brilliant that it is impossible to put the book aside.”

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“Hundreds of books have been written about Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Moscow 1812 is perhaps the best.”

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“Powerful. . . . Brilliant. Zamoyski’s exposition of the 1812 campaign is a model of elegant clarity.”

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“Told with vigor, sweep, and insight, Moscow 1812 brings this epic moment to life in a thoroughly fascinating way.”

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“Zamoyski elegantly delivers gripping storytelling, bold revisionism, and poignant suffering.”