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Personally, I wouldn't read 1809: THUNDER ON THE DANUBE without the maps... They're somewhat essential.

Swords Around A Throne has already been mentioned several times, and for good reason.
Another to consider is 1805: Austerlitz: Napoleon and the Destruction of the Third Coalition

A lot of good books mentioned here and I have a lot of them myself. I've just purchased 1809: THUNDER ON THE DANUBE all 3 vol from pen and sword uk online as a ebook ( not Kindle ) as I've just acquired a Windows Tablet[:)]

You're in for a treat. One of my favourite Napoleon's campaigns - his counter-offensive was a real work of genius and sustained energy. Amongst other things it demonstrates Lannes' great qualities and how highly Napoleon regarded him as a commander and friend.

Btw I don't know if the publishers have changed this but in my editions they included a map in volume 2 which was introduced to help readers better understand some of the Austrian movements in volume 1. If so its well worth having that available for reference when reading the first volume.

ORIGINAL: Citizen Emperor

Personally, I wouldn't read 1809: THUNDER ON THE DANUBE without the maps... They're somewhat essential.

Not the best pic, but there it is. And you can zoom in.

Zoomed in. Dang phone camera.

Five books I would recommend - the former and the latter in particular:

Waterloo - A Near Run Thing - David Howarth
La Grande Armee - Georges Blond
The Peninsular War - Charles Esdaile
The Napoleonic source Book - Philip J Haythornthwaite
The Waterloo Companion - Mark Adkin

Another name to go by is: James R Arnold.

Having read most of the books that has been listed here, i can safely say that IMHO in some 100+ campaign books read on the napolonic subjects that his is the best written and best/fullest explaination of the campaigns in question.

His 1809 and 1807 series are superb, as is his Marengo and Hohenlinden book. His latest on the 1813 spring campaign isnt quite at the same level, but still a very good book.


Also as it isnt usually the country written most about in the periode. Dominic Lieven's Russia against Napoleon is great for understanding what goes on in Russia and why different decisions about post 1805 era is made. Politically and militarily.

Kind regards,
Rasmus