The Napoleonic Quarterly: Recent Episodes
Alexander Stevenson
Taking the epic conflicts of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars three months at a time. Each episode features interviews with leading historians of the period - covering the campaigns, diplomacy and political dramas of an extraordinary 24 years.
Liam Gauci, Curator at the Malta Maritime Museum in Valletta, joins Dr Rachel Blackman-Rogers to discuss the fascinating history of his very special island.
This episode is sponsored by Heritage Malta.
- January… February… March… Three months in which the assassination of Tsar Paul stuns Europe… The Act of Union brings together Britain and Ireland... And Austria and France sign the Treaty of Luneville, inking in French dominance in western Europe. This is episode 37 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the grisly drama of a court assassination sets the stage for the Napoleonic dramas to come.
Kathleen Burk, Professor Emerita of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London, is an amazing historian whose books spanning a long and distinguished career reflect the breadth of her interests: she's written about Anglo-American relations over the decades, a biography of AJP Taylor, even a history of wine reflecting her own background growing up on a California grape farm. We cover off all the bases - and find out how they apply to the Napoleonic period - in this fascinating discussion.
Professor Alan Forrest of the University of York sat down with his long time academic friend Charles Esdaile to talk about the Napoleon Movie, the legacy of the Emperor and more.
Louis Sarkozy talks to Bernie Campbell about his upcoming book on Napoleon's Library, the cultural influence of the Emperor and how his legacy is seen today in France.
Professor Emeritus Michael Broers of the University of Oxford, biography of Napoleon and historical adviser to 'Napoleon' (2023), sat down virtually with his old chum and sparring partner Charles Esdaile. In this conversation they covered:
[02:00] - their shared outsider perspective on the French Revolution
[06:00] - the usefulness of the Napoleonic period in terms of boosting the power of the state
[13:00] - Different ways of looking at Napoleon - including as the greatest of the Enlightened absolutists
[25:00] - Writing about Napoleon Bonaparte, whether you're Andrew Roberts or not
[35:00] - The Hundred Days
[43:00] - 'Napoleon' (2023), the epic spectacle-filled movie blockbuster for which Prof Broers served as historical adviser
A Napoleonic professor is despatched to the field hospital, delaying our next main episode by a month. But we have lots of bonus episodes in the meantime.
Dr Rachel Blackman-Rogers is joined by King's College London colleague Professor Andrew Lambert to discuss the current conflict in Ukraine and how lessons from history can be applied to contemporary challenges in containing Russian aggression.
Bernie Campbell takes us on a whistlestop tour of the world as it was at the turn of the 19th century, in the company of Professor Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University-Shreveport and the NQ's intrepid Quartermaster-Patreons.
Here's a deep dive into the Battle of Hohenlinden, in which Moreau decisively beats the Austrians under Archduke John.
Thanks to David Hollins and Hans-Karl Weiß for talking us through it!
- January… February… March… Three months in which Jean-Victor Moreau’s snowy victory at Hohenlinden takes the Austrians out of the war… Napoleon Bonaparte survives the world’s first car bombing attempt in Paris… And across the Atlantic those huge swathes of land west of the Appalachians change hands between the European powers once again, causing disquiet in Washington DC. This is episode 36 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which French military prowess once again proves decisive.
[09:32] - Headline developments
[24:32] - Alan Forrest on the 'Infernal Machine' assassination attempt on Bonaparte's life
[49:06] - Hans-Karl Weiss on the Battle of Hohenlinden
[1:08:44] - Preliminary discussion on the Treaty of San Il Defonso
[1:15:55] - Kathy Burk on the Treaty of San Il Defonso
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to conclude their analysis of the film. Yes that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
'Napoleon' screenwriter David Scarpa's Write On interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61AWkKbfIco9D4bcRYCIeu?si=fREIQvLPREKn2_LtlID-fw
Joachim Phoenix's ReelBlend interview:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/06YMu88cGK6eEfTqd24OYu?si=J5K4YbA2TXmiOAHPZ0x3hQ
Music: Solo Cello Passion - Doug Maxwell, Media Right Productions
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse and perhaps explain the approach taken by the film's creators. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
Could some of the decisions made by those behind Sir Ridley Scott's spectacle-filled 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of the 2023 film 15 minutes at a time.
New episodes of The 'Napoleon' Movie Quarter-Hourly to follow daily throughout March! before we return to normal service with episode 36 around 8 April.
- July... August... September. Three months in which the British seek to feel less insecure in southern India... in the Baltic the Russians look to muster Danish and Swedish forces against the Royal Navy... and as the United States patches things up with France, domestic tempers fray amidst the election of 1800. This is episode 35 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three worrisome months for the British as the Second Coalition hangs by a thread.
David Hollins concludes his three-part deep dive into the military action of Q2-1800 with a full hour devoted to the Battle of Marengo, a big victory for Napoleon Bonaparte over the Austrians. There is more to this battle than meets the eye, however, and here David talks us through the detail. These more in-depth explorations are the first of their kind for this podcast; please let us know your views by emailing napoleonicquarterly[at]gmail.com.
In the middle episode of this three-parter covering the fighting of Q2-1800 in more detail David Hollins talks through the siege of Genoa, Napoleon Bonaparte's famous crossing of the Alps and the critical role of the spy Carlo Gioelli - all in the build-up to the battle of Marengo.
Here's a deep dive into the fighting of 1800 in southern Germany which culminated in the battle of Höchstadt on 19 June. Thanks to David Hollins for talking us through the campaign and the battle which proved such a big breakthrough for France against the Austrians in such detail.
This is the first part of a multi-part episode, with more to come on the fighting south of the Alps and the battle of Marengo. Stay tuned!
[4:16] - French and Austrian military planning in Q1-1800
[26:23] - who was Jean-Victor Moreau?
[33:10] - description of the campaign
[49:50] - the Battle of Höchstadt
Liam Gauci, curator at the Malta Maritime Museum, interviews Sakis Gekas, Associate Professor in the Department of History at York University. Dr Gekas is Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair of Modern Greek History.
Following their conversation about the establishment of the Septinsular Republic on April 2nd 1800, Liam and Sakis explore the subsequent story of the Ionian Islands under French and British rule; their strategic significance for the Royal Navy; and the role of 'King Tom', Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Maitland, who ruled both Malta and the Ionian Islands.
Listen to the Hellenic Heritage Foundation's series on Greek independence here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rZzkaIwLI53F2HCbQeHNx
1800... April... May... June... Three months in which Generals Desaix and Kellermann help Napoleon to victory against the Austrians at Marengo... French hopes in Egypt receive a big setback with the assassination of their commander, General Kleber... and in the Ionian Islands off mainland Greece, a new republic emerges out of political turmoil. This is episode 34 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, in which the French succeed not only in north Italy but also in southern Germany with a decidedly underappreciated breakthrough.
[06:55] - headline developments
[09:08] - extended introduction in which Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze discuss the political and strategic importance across Europe of the Marengo and Hochstadt victories
[32:18] - David Hollins on the fighting in south Germany and north Italy, including the battles of Hochstadt and Marengo
[54:10] - Charles Mackay on the French in Egypt, including the Battle of Heliopolis and the assassination of General Kleber
[1:16:29] - Liam Gauci interviews Sakis Gekas on the establishment of the Septinsular Republic in the Ionian Islands
Professor Emeritus Elise Wirtschafter of CalPolyPomona is joined by Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile to discuss the unique nature of Russian imperialism; and the challenges and responsibilities of being historians in times of war.
- January... February... March... Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte familiarises himself with the levers of power... French general Jean-Victor Moreau's battle plans clash with those of his new boss... and the election to choose a new Pope becomes delayed by division. This is episode 33 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, covering three months in which the world gets used to its new century - and France to its new leader.
Featuring an extended introduction with Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze looking ahead to the two years covered by season 5 of the podcast. Plus:
[25:05] - William Doyle on Bonaparte's to-do list as France's new leader
[45:54] - David Hollins on military planning for the coming year's campaigning
[1:02:57] - Mary Robinson on the Papal Election
Bernie Campbell is joined by Charles, Alexes x2, Josh and a host of contributors and Patrons to assess the rather disappointing Hollywood blockbuster 'Napoleon'. Discussion points included:
-how Spain played absolutely no part in the Napoleonic Wars whatsoever
-the hitherto unappreciated importance of trenches at Waterloo
-why Josephine shouting 'you are fat! ' is one of the most important cinematic moments of the 21st-century
-precisely what they got wrong about those uniforms...
Become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly
This third edition of 'Napoleonic Qs', our listener Q&A format, was recorded on 19 November 2023. Thanks to all those who have commented or left questions!
Introductory section: Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their thoughts on director Ridley Scott's attacks on historians.
[13:30] - On abusive language targeting Prof Esdaile
[23:47] - Mystery guest @liamgauci13 pops up to share some exciting news about this auction lot: https://www.auction.fr/lot/lempire-1-collection-jean-louis-noisiez-74470974?utm_source=alertes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-Fri-2023-11-03
[35:32] - why the British (probably) made the fabric used for French uniforms
[39:07] - books!
[50:50] - the diplomatic lay of the land in the Nordic countries during the period
[1:00:25] - moral relativism, 18thC 'war crimes' and modern connections to historic slavery
[1:08:23] - why no French scholars on the podcast?
[1:10:42] - nice words about the Napoleonic Quarterly - including some nice words of our own about The Napoleonic Wars Podcast's Zack White.
In this episode, Bernie Campbell follows up his interview with Charles by talking with Alexander Mikaberidze about the books he has found inspiring during his work on the Napoleonic era. It's a really interesting list, since Alex's background has brought him into contact with some interesting works that may not be familiar to the English speaking world!
Links for many of these books are below! Please know that if you purchase a book from one of our links, Napoleonic Quarterly may earn a commission from that purchase, which we will use to support our mission to bring you as much new and interesting Napoleonic content as possible!
English Language Titles
- Albert Manfred. Napoleon Bonaparte (Spanish Translation of Russian Text available here: https://amzn.to/3SrfS0f
- Gareth Glover.
- Waterloo: Myth and Reality https://amzn.to/3FScuny
- The Waterloo Archive: https://amzn.to/3FOT57c
- Rory Muir
- Wellington The Path to Victory https://amzn.to/3soB7Fw
- Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon https://amzn.to/405OmHx
- Salamanca 1812 https://amzn.to/4003VAn
- Micheal Hughes. Forging Napoleon's Grande Armée: Motivation, Military Culture, and Masculinity in the French Army, 1800-1808 https://amzn.to/49mHrho
- Micheal Broers.
- Napoleon: Solider of Destiny(Vol 1) https://amzn.to/3u1sFMS
- Napoleon: The Spirit of the Age (Vol 2) https://amzn.to/3MxYwLk
- Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire (Vol 3) https://amzn.to/471cfCO
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Andrew Robets: Napoleon: A Life. https://amzn.to/49or7fY
- David Markham: Napoleon’s Road to Glory https://amzn.to/3QMKOWD
- Arthur Conan Doyle. The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. https://amzn.to/3QKUOke
- The Memoirs of Baron de Marbot https://amzn.to/47jAjAp
- Susanna Clarke. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell https://amzn.to/47j2dww
- Naomi Novik. His Majesty’s Dragon https://amzn.to/3SpBWZj
- Evan Wilson. The Horrible Peace: British Veterans and the End of the Napoleonic Wars. https://amzn.to/3scRVzm
- Luke Reyonlds. Who Owned Waterloo? Battle, Memory and Myth in British History 1815-1850 https://amzn.to/3Sve6LD
- William Doyle. Napoleon at Peace: How to End the Revolution. https://amzn.to/3QPtUb3
- Helion Press: https://www.helion.co.uk/conflicts/napoleonic-wars.php?sid=1e6524f4cdb9108c13f97e31d2a497b7
- H. A. L. (Herbert Albert Laurens) Fisher, Napoleon (New York: Holt, 1913) https://amzn.to/40tr4LT
- Felix Markham, Napoleon. https://amzn.to/3MwOfiA
French Language Titles
- Thierry Lentz: Nouvelle Histoire du Premier Empire (Paris : Fayard, 2002-2010), 3 volumes. https://amzn.to/47o2XjR
- Charles-Eloi Vial
- Napoléon et les bibliothèques (Paris : CNRS, 2021) https://amzn.to/49ohpdw
- Sauver l'Empire : 1813 : la fin de l’Europe napoléonienne (Paris : Perrin, 2023) https://amzn.to/40tKv7o
- 15 août 1811 : L’apogee de l’Empire (Paris : Tempus Perrin, 2023 https://amzn.to/3u3SAn5
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Napoléon : La certitude et l’ambition (Paris : Perrin, 2021) https://amzn.to/3Mw6uES
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Pierre Branda
- La saga des Bonaparte https://amzn.to/46ZyzwI
- The Price of Glory: Napoleon and Money (Various History) https://amzn.to/49n0LLr
Russian Language Titles
- Sergei Iskul’, Vneshnya politika Rossii i germanskie gosudarstva, 1801-1812 [ Russia’s Foreign Policy and the German States, 1801-1812] (St. Petersburg: Indrik, 2007) https://amzn.to/47gj1UM
- Victor Bezotosnyi, Rossiya v Napoleonovskikj voinakh 1805-1815 ggg [Russian in the Napoleonic Wars, 1805-1815] (Moscow: Polit. entsik., 2014) https://amzn.to/46SkyRj
- Vladimir Zemtsov, Russkii posol v Parizhe Knyaz’ A.B. Kurakin: khronika rokovykh let [A. B. Kurakin, the Russian Ambassador in Paris: A Chronicle of the Fateful Years] (Moscow: Rosspen, 2019) http://www.slavic-books.de/Zemtsov-V-Russkii-posol-v-Parizhe-kniaz-A-B-Kurakin-Khronika-rokovykh-let
William Doyle is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Bristol. As the author of the Oxford History of the French Revolution he is also the rescuer of many an undergraduate essay crisis. William's new book Napoleon At Peace, however, sees him examine Bonaparte's performance in the top job in those first years of the 19th century. Its subtitle, 'How To End A Revolution', gives you a sense of the scale of the task he faced
Prof Doyle on Bonaparte: "What hit me is the sheer ability of the man - how able he actually was, how many balls he was able to keep in the air at any particular time. Whatever you think of him morally - and he's a very nasty type in all sorts of ways - nevertheless, the sheer ability of the man cannot fail to be impressive."
How much of the Revolution was over by the time Napoleon Bonaparte came to power? Prof Doyle: "None of it."
While we wait for Season 5 to begin, we at Quartermaster Productions have a series of Bonus Episodes we plan to share with all of you.
In our first episode, Bernie Campbell interviews esteemed panellist Charles Esdaile about the books he has enjoyed and the books he would recommend for listeners interested in a deeper dive into the Napoleonic Era. It was a far ranging and fun conversation. Bernie will soon sit down with Alexander Mikaberidze for his recommendations as well!
Links for all of these books are below! Please know that if you purchase a book from one of our links, Napoleonic Quarterly may earn a commission from that purchase, which we will use to support our mission to bring you as much new and interesting Napoleonic content as possible!
- David Chandler: The Campaigns of Napoleon. https://amzn.to/3FlvtXI
- Phillip Dwyer.
- Napoleon: The Path to Power. (Vol. 1) https://amzn.to/3LYO6V6
- Napoleon: Citizen Emperor (Vol. 2) https://amzn.to/3LYO6V6
- Napoleon: Passion, Death and Resurrection (Vol 3) https://amzn.to/46OGiwY
- John Gooch. Armies in Europe. https://amzn.to/46OGKeE
- Charles Esdaile
- The Wars of Napoleon https://amzn.to/46OGKeE
- Napoleon’s Wars: An International History https://amzn.to/3Flx3c6
- Napoleon, France and Waterloo: The Eagle Rejected https://amzn.to/3PYoQiL
- Walking Waterloo https://amzn.to/46IyIUG
- Wargaming Waterloo https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Books-by-topic/MCUP-Titles-A-Z/Wargaming-Waterloo/
- L. du Garde Peach. The Story of Napoleon (Adventure from History)(Ladybird Book) https://amzn.to/3QjtMAc
- David Howarth. A Near Run Thing https://amzn.to/3ZWfad4
- Paddy Griffith. The Art of War of Revolutionary France, 1789-1802 https://amzn.to/3RZBHnu
- Rory Muir.
- Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon https://amzn.to/405OmHx
- Salamanca 1812 https://amzn.to/4003VAn
- Guy Dempsy. Albuera 1811: The Bloodiest Battle of the Peninsular War https://amzn.to/3M8ude7
- Adrian Goldsworthy. True Soldier Gentlemen https://amzn.to/3rVCVWi
- R.F. Delderfield. Seven Men of Gascony. https://amzn.to/46Mw9l3
- Leo Tolstoy. War and Peace. https://amzn.to/45B0KR5
- Waterloo (film) https://amzn.to/46TZUzK
- Peter Parish. The American Civil War https://amzn.to/3QjfTBT
- Hugh Thomas. The Spanish Civil Warhttps://amzn.to/3FqQTSZ
- October... November... December... Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte forces France away from democratic politics in the coup of Brumaire... a frustrated and disappointed Tsar Paul gives up on the Second Coalition... and after another British failure in the Low Countries, British ministers are in denial. This is episode 32 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which France has a new leader as the new century approaches.
Napoleonic Quarterly regulars Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze join Alex Stevenson to respond to listeners' questions and comments.
Featuring the following topics:
[3:46] - an anti-Charles missive
[21:07] - the sexual proclivities of Napoleon Bonaparte
[32:39] - French leadership in the Revolution and afterwards: executive by committee vs strongman, with an answer from David Andress
[41:22] - William Pitt's role in Britain's success
[47:04] - Activity on the Rhine / in Germany during 1798, with an answer from David Hollins
[55:16] - the massacre at Jaffa
- July… August… September… Three months in which the Allies’ pivot north to Switzerland fails thanks to a fightback from Massena... the British team up with the Russians in a bid to stir up Holland… And in Egypt Napoleon Bonaparte wins another victory for the French against the Ottomans - before sneaking off in the night on a fast ship back to France. This is episode 31 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of desperate fighting - and desperate measures.
Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly
[06:07] - Headline developments
[16:54] - David Hollins on the fighting in Germany
[50:49] - Phil Ball on the British-Russian efforts in Holland
[1:10:32] - Charles Mackay on the Battle of Aboukir
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze join us throughout to talk through their perspectives on the period.
This bonus episode is really more of a planning meeting than an actual episode of the Napoleonic Quarterly. It contains all the features of a modern online discussion: unscheduled coughs, rustling, unscheduled sniffles, people talking over each other, variable audio quality and strange buzzing sounds appearing at intermittent intervals. However, listeners may be willing to put up with all this if they want to hear how the sausage gets made - all the wrangling and negotiations and balancing and hand-wringing that goes into deciding the key quesrtion of: what should we have as our three interview segments for the eight episodes covering 1800 and 1801? For this episode Josh Provan takes the reins; Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze give their views; the newly-appointed Quartermaster-General Alex Stevenson reveals what he had had in mind ten years ago; and Bernie Campbell summarises the views of the Patrons attending, including the very welcome season 4 contributor David Hollins. In summary, the first part of 1800 is something of a mess but things definitely improve in 1801. So stick with us, if you can!
Jonathan North, Napoleonic historian and author of several books including 'Nelson at Naples 1799', sets out why he believes Horatio Nelson's conduct in 1799 constitutes more than a mere stain on his character. This episode contains content which some pro-British listeners may find alarming.
- April… May… June… Three months in which the Austrians and the Russians make sweeping Italian gains... Beleaguered French forces find themselves clinging on in Syria against the Ottomans… And in India Tippu Sultan meets a grisly end at the hands of the British. This is episode 30 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of bloodshed and tensions as the empires fight back.
[08:25] - Headline developments, with thanks to Josh Provan. Video version: https://www.facebook.com/100064278330452/videos/1420607152055841
[16:43] - Short mini-segment on 'Nelson's war crime'
[23:13] - David Hollins on the fighting in north Italy and Switzerland
[49:33] - Charles Mackay on the Battle of Mt Tabor
[1:05:22] - Josh Provan on the fall of Seringapatam
Many people looking to find out more about the soldiers who fought for the Austrian Empire in the 1792-1815 period will have turned to David Hollins' excellent Osprey books, the result of his fascination with a Vienna-minded perspective often overlooked by those in the English-speaking world. Here David has been talking through his approach; offering more insights into how the Austrians differed from the rest in their military and political structures; explaining how he went about researching the battles the Austrians fought and the soldiers who fought them; and picking out which Austrian victory was the most underrated in the period.
Charles Mackay, known to Napoleonic Twitter by his brilliant soubriquet @BubblesVampire, had his PhD on Napoleonic nearly-man Andoche Junot supervised by the late great Donald D. Horward. We'll be hearing from Charles on the latest goings-on in Egypt in episodes 30 and 31, but hear he is talking us through the life of a complicated, wounded, not-always-likeable personality. Given Junot's multiple head wounds, and h is habit of self-medicating on opium and alchool, it is perhaps remarkable he accomplished as much as he did before his demons overtook him.
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The Napoleonic Quarterly's Patreon has the potential to be a real game-changer, helping us take the podcast to the next level of Napoleonic tremendousness.
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By using the $$$ to pay for the services of an audio editor it becomes possible to produce more content complementing the main episodes.
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There's scope for higher-tier Patrons to actually present some of these bonus episodes, so come forward if you're interested and let's see how we get on.
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Patrons will also have plenty of opportunities to go behind-the-scenes and get involved in the planning process, which feels like a really big part of the journey.
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And Patrons will have early access to director's cut full-length unedited episodes, as well as all the really good bits left on the cutting-room floor.
And so, once more with feeling:
Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly
Professor Emeritus Elise Kimerling Wirtschafter of CalPolyPomona's long academic career studying Russian history has almost come full circle: beginning in the Cold War context, she has seen very different attitudes emerge in the three decades before Putin's invasion of Ukraine. In this fascinating extended interview Elise talks us through that journey and explains how, even after all these years, there are still plenty of question-marks to ponder about Russia's place in the world.
Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly
- January.. February... March... Three months in which the Austrians push the French back in southern Germany… Napoleon Bonaparte runs up against Sidney Smith and the Royal Navy in Syria… And in Naples the newly-installed republicans face a challenge from Cardinal Ruffo and his ruffians. This is episode 29 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of wavering French fortunes.
[06:11] - Headline developments, courtesy of Josh Provan
[14:00] - David Hollins on the fighting in southern Germany
[31:55] - Everett Rummage on Napoleon's expedition from Egypt to El-Arish, Jaffa and Acre
[43:12] - An extended discussion between Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze on the logic of Bonaparte's advance - and the ethics of the Jaffa massacre of prisoners-of-war
[57:07] - Jonathan North on Naples
[1:13:18] - Charles and Alex size up the situation at the end of March 1799.
Everett Rummage is the host of 'The Age Of Napoleon', a brilliant single-voice podcast which tells the story of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in great detail and with great charm. He's been kind enough to come on the Napoleonic Quarterly to talk us through the story of Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt and what followed, appearing in episodes 27, 28 and 29. And in this interview episode he's talked through some of the background to his project - how he became interested in the period, how he plans each episode, and his approach to the big and the small editorial quandaries which crop up throughout. This interview was recorded in May 2022.
- October… November… December… Three months in which the French in Egypt simply pretend the Battle of the Nile never happened… Nelson talks Naples into an ill-advised attack against the French in central Italy… And Russia joins a fledgling Second Coalition against French aggression. This is episode 28 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of slow-burning diplomatic backlash against France and its Egyptian gambit.
[15:38] - Everett Rummage on the Cairo revolt and French efforts to quash Mameluke resistance in upper Egypt
[35:42] - Jonathan North on the ill-fated Neapolitan invasion of the Papal States
[1:01:34] - Elise K. Wirtschafter on Russia's decision to join the Second Coalition
Plus from [1:11:27] Charles Esdaile on storming form sets out how the French had the Second Coalition coming to them, and is surprised by Alex Mikaberidze very much agreeing with him.
Rachel Blackman-Rogers discusses Britain's naval and maritime strategy throughout the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars with Professor Andrew Lambert of King's College London's Department of War Studies.
[2:38] - misconceptions of naval fiction
[6:35] - prize money
[9:22] - the City and the Admiralty
[12:18] - the bond between officers and men (and when it got broken)
[14:33] - the 'we were treated horribly' sub-genre of maritime memoir literature
[16:28] - impressment as an occupational hazard
[19:46] - everything wrong with the French navy
[24:18] - targeting French privateers
[27:56] - French colonial losses
[32:47] - the Scheldt as the big British invasion launchpad
[39:48] - Europe's transformed armies after 1805/6
[41:36] - how Britain helped - and fought - the Russian navy
[44:44] - the War of 1812
[52:02] - how Britain's focus on sound money helped the war effort
[55:27] - why Britain's Caribbean colony-grabbing wasn't entirely imperialistic
[57:43] - how Nelson lived on after Trafalgar.
- July… August… September… Three months in which Bonaparte shatters the Mamelukes at the Battle of the Pyramids… Horatio Nelson shatters the French at the Battle of the Nile… And the diplomatically outraged United States threatens its ex-ally France with war. This is episode 27 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which France’s Egyptian adventure tastes success on land - and then disaster at sea.
[11:38] A bonus mini-segment wrapping up Ireland from Ciaran McDonnell
[17:46] Everett Rummage on Bonaparte's advance to Cairo and the Battle of the Pyramids
[28:48] An extended discussion between our didactic duo Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze on the Egyptian campaign
[49:18] Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Battle of the Nile
[1:07:54] Frank Cogliano on the Quasi-War between France and the United States
[1:23:22] Closing thoughts from Charles and Alex as they assess the situation at the end of September 1798.
As Josh is a proper social media type chap, here are some proper social media type show notes! Josh Provan's Adventures In Historyland YouTube channel contains a wealth of material. He can be found on Twitter @LandOfHistory. His books are Wild East: The British in Japan 1854-1868 and Bullocks, Grain & Good Madeira: The Maratha & Jat Campaigns 1803-1806.
Some further reading recommendations from Josh:
Wellington In India, by Jac Weller
Wellington: The Path To Victory 1769-1814, by Rory Muir
White Mughals, by William Dalrymple
The Anarchy, by William Dalrymple
The Honourable Company, by John Keay
Wellington And The British Army's Indian Campaigns, by Martin R. Howard
Alexander Mikaberidze is joined by Charles Esdaile and special guest Simon Sebag Montefiore for the second in our 'Ukraine Quarterly' occasional series of panel discussions. As the conflict in Ukraine enters its second year their discussion about the war and its historical antecedents offers insights into the way the fighting is playing out today. What are the strengths and (mostly) weaknesses of Russia's autocracy? Why does Ukraine need to continue grappling with its own past? Why does Potemkin matter so much to Putin?
The Financial Times article Alex mentions at the beginning can be read here (although to note it's behind a paywall):
https://www.ft.com/content/80002564-33e8-48fb-b734-44810afb7a49
Simon Sebag Montefiore's website featuring all of his books can be reached here:
http://www.simonsebagmontefiore.com/
- April… May… June… Three months in which Horatio Nelson utterly fails to track down Napoelon Bonaparte’s fleet heading for Egypt… Rebellion finally breaks out in Ireland where anger and frustration and repression soon lead to bloodshed... And on the Indian sub-continent a newly arrived British leader set on imperial expansion soon gets to work.
This is episode 26 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of empty Mediterranean horizons - bad news for the British and very good news for the French.
[11:50] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on Nelson's Mediterranean search as Bonaparte's fleet moves slowly towards Egypt
[30:18] - Ciaran McDonnell on the Irish Rebellion
[52:45] - Josh Provan on the British in India
And from [1:09:40] Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile size up the situation midway through 1798, with all eyes on the French fleet disembarking at Alexandria.
Here's a new format we're piloting for the podcast... Alex Stevenson is joined by Phil Ball and Rachel Blackman-Rogers to size up the State of the Podcast and chew over a few questions from listeners. While the below provides a rough guide listeners should be advised the editorial style is CHATTY and LIGHTHEARTED, creating both a general sense of bonhomie and a tendency towards diverting historical anecdotes.
02:30 - Introductory patter
06:00 - Listener FEEDBACK, or, thanks youse guys!
17:50 - Plotting PANEL presentations, or, more content in the offing for the Napoleonic Quarterly
22:00 - RATIONALE, or, why this new bonus episode podcast format is a good and sensible idea which will delight listeners and indeed encourage listener engagement with questions and suchlike
26:00 - previewing EPISODE 26, or, what you can expect from Q2-1798
39:00 - 1800, or, what should we cover for Q1-1800, Q2-1800, Q3-1800 and, er, Q4-1800?
41:40 - AMPHIBIOUS, or, a discussion of the Venn diagram between two PhDs
48:00 - Answering listener QUESTIONS, or, the actual point of this episode
Here's 30 minutes of the brilliant Frank Cogliano, Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, who offers his thoughts on American self-confidence and its flip side, American insecurity, in the early republic. We also covered British attitudes to the not-yet-special relationship, Frank's views on a certain N. Bonaparte and, of course, Alexander Hamilton's musical rehabilitation and Frank's enduring patience as everybody quotes its lyrics at him. Thanks to Frank for discussing the Founding Fathers' notion of a nation! This interview was recorded in the summer of 2022.
PS - sorry for the audio quality which is occasionally patchy.
- January.. February... March... Three months in which the United States is outraged by the villainy of France’s foreign minister Talleyrand... The French make short work of the Pope’s forces... And to the south the King who rules Naples and the Queen who rules him are cooking up plans to get even with the French. This is episode 25 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which the world wonders what France will do next.
[18:18] - Frank Cogliano on the XYZ Affair troubling Franco-American relations
[37:03] - Mary Robinson on the French takeover of the Papal States - and the Pope's response
[55:00] - Jonathan North on why Naples matters - and some background on the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
And from [1:13:00] or thereabouts Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their somewhat different interpretations of what the French were thinking in cooking up their plans to invade Egypt.
After a 2022 addled by long covid, here's a fresh start for the podcast in 2023! We'll be covering two more dramatic years with new main episodes each month and lots of bonus episodes inbetween.
Professor Michael Broers of Oxford University's Lady Margaret Hall assesses Napoleon's achievements and shortcomings, shortly after concluding his three-volume biography with 'Napoleon: The Decline And Fall Of An Empire 1811-1821'. This interview was recorded in late 2021, shortly after Prof Broers completed his manuscript. The book was published on August 2nd 2022.
Rachel Blackman-Rogers is a maritime historian at King's College London. Her PhD thesis is on the transformation of British naval strategy during the 1790s and advances a series of compelling arguments about the development of British goals during the period. Rachel has been a stalwart on the podcast so far and so it was great to finally get the chance to talk to her about her research and its implications for how we think about the period as a whole.
Writer, historian and literary critic Ruth Scurr discusses her experience writing three very different biographies: Fatal Purity: Robespierre And The French Revolution; John Aubrey: My Own Life (about the 16thC antiquarian); and Napoleon: A Life In Gardens And Shadows, an entirely unique take on a man who continues to fascinate.
- October… November… December… Three months in which the United Irishmen rally themselves for another stab at rebellion… The Royal Navy smashes the Dutch at Camperdown… And the Treaty of Campo Formio grapples with European strategic interests slowly turning to the east. This is episode 24 of the Napoleonic1797. October… November… December… Three months in which the United Irishmen rally themselves for another stab at rebellion… The Royal Navy smashes the Dutch at Camperdown… And the Treaty of Campo Formio grapples with European strategic interests slowly turning to the east. This is episode 24 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which France’s victories since the Revolution are further inked in to the map of Europe.
[14:31] – Ciaran McDonnell on growing United Irishmen hopes
[28:04] – Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Battle of Camperdown Quarterly – covering three months in which France’s victories since the Revolution are further inked in to the map of Europe.
[47:56] - Michael Broers on the Treaty of Campo Formio
[58:00] - An extended end-of-season discussion in which Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile assess the situation as 1797 draws to a close.
- July… August… September… Three months in which the French military steps in to protect the republic against its voters... Horatio Nelson loses his right arm in a disastrous failure for the Royal Navy… And the arch-manipulator Talleyrand becomes France’s latest foreign minister. This is episode 23 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the French Revolution sells out – again.
We have an email! Please get in touch via a recorded or written question - send in your questions to napoleonicquarterly@gmail.com. Thanks!
[14:02] - Ruth Scurr on the Fructidor coup
[32:52] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on Nelson's Tenerife disaster
[51:30] - Biancamaria Fontana on Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
Featuring Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze pondering the likelihood of a French descent on Egypt in the intro and their assessment of the state of play in the episode's final ten minutes.
In this bonus discussion episode Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile bring their Napoleonic expertise to bear on the 2022 conflict in Ukraine. An earlier version of this episode contained some missing elements; this has now been corrected. Apologies. Sabotage is suspected.
In this bonus discussion episode Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile bring their Napoleonic expertise to bear on the 2022 conflict in Ukraine.
- April… May… June. Three months in which a victorious French general secures generous peace terms from Vienna... national elections in France prompt yet another political crisis… and the Royal Navy faces a series of mutinies that puts British security on a knife-edge. This is episode 22 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which Bonaparte the statesman takes centre stage.
[09:40] - Michael Broers on the Preliminaries of Leoben
[31:20] - Ruth Scurr on the 1797 French elections
[57:47] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Nore and Sheerness mutinies
Plus from [23:05] a deep dive into the Austrian military courtesy of Charles Esdaile
And from [1:07:44] Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze size up the state of Europe, including Prussia and Russia, as the First Coalition draws to a close.
- January. February. March… Three months in which the Austrians take on the French at Rivoli... An outnumbered Spanish fleet is outgunned by the British… And the Pope suffers yet another humiliation. This is episode 21 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which, for the first time in these wars, the Austrian capital comes under threat.
[02:00] - Comments on the contemporary situation in Ukraine
[10:06] - Headline developments for Q1-1797
[24:47] - Rick Schneid on the conclusion (very nearly) of the north Italian campaign, including the Battle of Rivoli
[41:00} - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Battle of Cape St Vincent
[1:03:17] - Mary Robinson on the Treaty of Tolentino, a disaster for the anti-French Papacy
[1:19:10] - Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze assess the biggest question-marks of 31 March 1797
Dr Ciarán McDonnell is an Irish historian with a tremendous breadth of interests and areas of research – from prehistory to, very nearly, the present day. In this interview, however, he focuses on the enormously varied experiences of Irish soldiers during the 1792-1815 period and reflects on some of the challenges and opportunities posed in researching and telling their many stories.
This interview was recorded in January 2022.
Professor Emeritus Biancamaria Fontana of the University of Lausanne has written about French politics and political thought for many years and is a formidable thinker on the merits of federalism, and, in particular, the work of figures like Montaigne and Constant. She is writing a book about the Directory, which triggered this conversation - but we also touched on Napoleon Bonaparte's government and the way contemporary politicians - especially Emmanuel Macron - address this period of French history.
'Germaine de Stael: A Political Portrait' is available here.
This interview was recorded in late 2021.
Frederick Schneid, Herman and Louise Smith Professor of History at High Point University, discusses Napoleon Bonaparte's remarkable campaign against the Austrians in north Italy in 1796 and 1797, his growing ambitions and the soldiers he commanded and fought against.
- October… November… December… Three months in which Bonaparte sees off another Austrian offensive – but only through some desperate fighting at Arcola… The Royal Navy, withdrawing from the Mediterranean, misses an opportunity to attack the Spanish fleet… And further north an attempted invasion of Ireland is underway. This is episode 20 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the Royal Navy begins to wonder whether France’s successes on land will prevent the Royal Navy from doing its job of protecting Britain at sea.
Including a discussion from [05:11] by Alexander Mikaberidze and from [1:22:50] by Charles Esdaile of the significance of Catherine the Great's death and her replacement by her son Paul I - a momentous event of great significance for this period.
Plus the usual three segments:
[22:15] - Rick Schneid on Napoleon Bonaparte's struggles with Austrian forces in north Italy
[37:20] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the Royal Navy's withdrawal from the Mediterranean
[55:55] - Ciarán McDonnell on Ireland in the 1790s and the attempted French landing at Bantry Bay
This episode's main sections were recorded in January 2022.
- July… August… September… Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte’s north Italian army runs rings around the Austrians… On the Rhine the French commanders simply can’t get their act together… And in Paris the Directory looks on, uncertainly, as their young general’s star continues to rise. This is episode 19 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which Bonaparte proves that the best form of defence, strategic or otherwise, is attack.
[12:45] - Rick Schneid on Bonaparte's escape from the trap set by the Austrian general Wurmser
[28:53] - Jordan Hayworth on Moreau and Jourdan's clashes with Archduke Charles on the Rhine
[52:31] - Biancamaria Fontana on the worries, insecurities and general wobbliness of the Directory government in Paris
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their analysis of the political situation throughout, including in north Italy, south Germany and Spain.
- April… May… June… Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte has the Austrians on the run and forces Piedmont out of the war altogether… On the Rhine the two French armies struggle to make the same sort of progress… And parts of the Papal States are overrun by Bonaparte, who resists pressure from Paris to depose the Pope altogether. This is episode 18 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the dynamism and energy of a 20-something upstart in north Italy begins a chain of events that will astonish the world.
[12:34] - Rick Schneid on Bonaparte's campaign against the Austrians and Piedmontese
[42:08] - Mary Robinson on the Papal States' humiliation at the hands of the French
[57:08] - Jordan Hayworth on the French offensive on the Rhine against the Austrians
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze provide their usual analysis throughout, including an assessment of the political after-effects of the north Italian tumult.
- January. February. March. Three months in which the British take Ceylon thanks to some daring – or perhaps that should be dairy-ing – exploits… Napoleon Bonaparte takes command of the Army of Italy… And the new French government, the Directory, struggles to find its way. This is episode 17 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which it feels like the (E)dam is about to break over this conflict.
[15:54] - Military historian and author Philip Ball describes the British capture of Ceylon's Trincomalee and Colombo, which is unexpectedly aided by the unorthodox use of dairy products.
[36:01] - Professor Biancamaria Fontana of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland discusses and deliberates on the dynamics and dilemmas of the Directory, the five-man executive now taking over the reins of the Revolution.
[53:04] - Rafe Blaufarb, Professor of History at Florida State University, sizes up the state of the French military machine as Napoleon Bonaparte takes command of the Army of Italy.
Plus Professor Emeritus Charles Esdaile of the University of Liverpool and Professor Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University-Shreveport lock horns over British imperialism and the merits of "all this liberty, equality and stupidity nonsense", providing their expert analysis and opinions throughout.
Here's what to expect in the next batch of episodes from the Napoleonic Quarterly, beginning with episode 17 in the new year of 2022, including...
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A whirlwind of energy and dynamism transforms the course of the war in north Italy
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Britain's Royal Navy notches up two more big fleet action victories
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The ruling Directory faces another struggle for the political future of France
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The Austrians on the Rhine and the Pope in Italy find themselves dealing with the fallout from Bonaparte's Italian victories
... and much more. In addition to the main eight episodes you can expect six more interview episodes with some of the military historians and academics interviewed for this series - three in a row after episode 20 and three more after episode 24.
Historian and author Adam Zamoyski discusses the fate of Poland, power politics during the 1792-1815 period and why all decent biographers should seek to empathise with their subjects as human beings, just like the rest of us. This interview was recorded in spring 2020, shortly after the publication of Adam's Napoleon: The Man Behind The Myth. The Intelligence Squared discussion referred to is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxQ4TcTcPbI
Military historian and wargamer Garry Wills discusses his interest in the smaller battles of the 1792-1815 period - and why looking at the records of a regiment or battalion provide just as much interest and insight as looking at the bigger-picture progress of an entire campaign. Garry is on Twitter @CaseshotPublish and is the author of Wellington's First Battle - Combat at Boxtel, on the 1794 action, and Wellington at Bay: The Battle of Villamuriel on the 1812 battle on the retreat from Burgos.
Mary Robinson, Associate Professor of History at Lourdes University, discusses the remarkable story of Louise Charlotte Françoise de Montesquiou, governess to the King of Rome.
- October. November. December. Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte takes on tens of thousands of armed Parisians amidst the blood and gore of Vendemiare… Austrian, Prussian, and Russian representatives meet on 24 October 1795 to dissolve the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth… And in north Italy the French perform a real comeback by sending the Austrians packing at the Battle of Loano. This is episode 16 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the whiff of grapeshot hangs over Paris.
[04:51] - Military historian Paul Demet wraps up the Mannheim offensive story begun in episode 15
[15:15] - Professor David Andress of the University of Portsmouth describes the drama of Vendemiare in October 1795, when Napoleon Bonaparte plays a key role in defending the Convention against tens of thousands of armed Parisians
[28:10] - Frederick Schneid, Herman and Louise Smith Professor of History at High Point University, sets the scene for the north Italian theatre and talks through the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia and the Battle of Loano
[48:25] - Historian and author Adam Zamoyski reflects on the Third Polish Partition
Plus throughout Professor Emeritus Charles Esdaile of the University of Liverpool and Professor Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University-Shreveport offer their analysis of the situation now that "the Revolution, for all practical matters, is done".
- July. August. September. Three months in which France’s leaders turn their backs on the electorate… The Rhine theatre sees the launch of the French offensive targeting Mannheim… And the failure of the emigres expedition to Quiberon Bay leads to a terrible reckoning. This is episode 15 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which power trumps principle in the French republic.
[09:16] – Professor David Andress of the University of Portsmouth explains the tricky situation faced by those ruling France in this three months – and their profoundly anti-democratic solution.
[27:15] – Military historian Paul Demet describes the initial stages of the Mannheim offensive as Jourdan and Pichegru take on the Austrians on the Rhine.
[44:54] – Mary Robinson, Associate Professor of History at the University of Lourdes, outlines why the British-backed Quiberon landing of French emigres proved such a failure during this quarter.
Plus Professor Emeritus Charles Esdaile of the University of Liverpool and Professor Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University-Shreveport offer their analysis throughout, including Alex describing the sacking of his home town from [42:00].
And from [1:02:00], we have our first choices of two figures facing dilemmas at the end of the quarter: Alex chooses French military officer Napoleon Buona Parte, hanging around in ‘sleazy theatres’ during this period, while Charles picks Sultan Selim III of Ottoman Turkey.
- April. May. June. Three months in which the French make peace with Prussia and Holland… A British attempt to stoke up trouble in Brittany appears to get off to a good start… And John Jay’s deal with an old enemy divides opinion in the United States. This is episode 14 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months which sees the collapse of the First Coalition against the French and their Revolution…
[14:25] – Jordan R Hayworth, Assistant Professor of Military and Security Studies at the US Air Command and Staff College, on the peace treaties with Prussia and Holland which effectively ended the First Coalition
[33:44] – Mary Robinson, Associate Professor of History at the University of Lourdes, on an improbable attempt by British-backed French emigres to raise the Breton chouanerie against the Revolution
[50:36] – Josh Provan of @LandOfHistory on the Jay Treaty and the outcry it provoked in US domestic politics
Plus throughout Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their thoughts – and from [04:40] in particular lock horns about whether or not the Revolution really offered “nothing” to ordinary French people…
- January. February. March. Three months in which the French complete their conquest of the Netherlands… The British miss a chance to bring the French fleet to battle in the Med… And the French Revolution comes to terms with religion. This is episode 13 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which this initial tussle for the Low Countries ends in defeat for the Allies as the Netherlands falls to the arms of the Revolution.
[07:11] - Philip Ball on the Netherlands falling to the French - and the cavalry charge across the Texel that never was
[21:42] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on a doomed French attempt to retake Corsica
[38:24] - Mary Robinson on the Law of Religious Toleration and its implications for the restive Vendee.
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer perspectives from across the European continent - and nearly manage to avoid arguing until an excellent mini-spat from around [1:01:00]...
Professor Rafe Blaufarb, Director and Ben Weider Eminent Scholar in Napoleonic Studies at the Florida State University Department of History, discusses the making of the French military machine and the role of Napoleon Bonaparte in shaping an irresistible fighting force.
Military historian Paul Demet discusses his fascination with the Wars of the French Revolution, his experiences researching them and why we should all care a little bit more about the 1790s. His book We Are Accustomed to Do Our Duty : German Auxiliaries with the British Army 1793-9 is published by Helion Books.
Professor Marisa Linton of Kingston University discusses the notion that Bonaparte's canniness helped him triumph over other potential military leaders - Hoche or Joubert spring to mind - who might have emerged from the French Revolution.
- October. November. December. Three months in which the Polish uprising is crushed for good… The plantation owners win a victory for slavery on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe… And in Holland the French outflank an increasingly beleaguered British army. This is episode 12 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the Polish question which has hung over Europe since 1792 is answered decisively and brutally.
[14:15] - Adam Zamoyski reflects on the disaster of 1794 for Poland - 'Finis Poloniae', or 'the end of Poland' in effect.
[29:15] - Christy Pichichero on how diseases and deals with the British led to very different outcomes on Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint-Domingue in 1794.
[48:48] - Garry Wills describes the very bleak situation faced by the British fighting in Holland during this three months.
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze are on hand as always to pick over the latest state of play and assess the situation as 1795 approaches.
- July. August. September. Three months in which Maximilien Robespierre appears to sleepwalk his way to the guillotine... The British and the Austrians are going backwards fast in the Low Countries... And in the Mediterranean British forces finally wrest a useful prize from the French. This is episode 11 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the Terror finally consumes its own.
[08:50] - Marisa Linton on the Thermidorean reaction and Robespierre's grisly end.
[21:30] - Garry Wills on Allied struggles as the Austrians check out of the Low Countries for good.
[41:25] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers on the British capture of Corsica - and its implications for power politics in the Western Mediterranean.
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze contribute their usual commentary throughout.
There is a rogue rumble of thunder in this episode somewhere... see if you can spot it...
- April. May. June. Three months in which the French and British fight their first major fleet action of these wars… as France is gripped by the Great Terror, the man at its centre is going through a personal crisis… And on the frontline the French scrape major victories at Tourcoing and Fleurus – thanks in part to the Austrians letting down the British. This is episode ten of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which infighting and the French foil the Allied Plan of Destruction.
[09:13] - Rachel Blackman-Rogers describes how the Royal Navy won the Glorious First of June - but the French have a good claim to success too.
[29:00] - Marisa Linton on the Great Terror and Robespierre's mental breakdown
[47:02] - Philip Ball updates on the latest proceedings in the Low Countries, where the French continue to make progress.
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their inimitable analysis as usual throughout.
- January, February, March. Three months in which the French Revolution’s radicals see enemies everywhere, even amongst their own… The French military machine takes decisive steps to improve itself… And the colonial world is rocked by news that the National Convention agrees to abolish slavery in Saint-Domingue. This is episode 9 of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which Robespierre acts against his own.
[14:38] - David Andress on Robespierre and co's decision to move against both the radical Hebertists and the moderate(ish) Danton and his indulgents, too.
[37:08] - Rafe Blaufarb on the Amalgame and the French Army's game-changing reforms
[49:42] - Christy Pichichero on the momentous decision to abolish slavery on Saint-Domingue
Plus Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze provide their usual analysis of the state of play.
Here's what to expect in the next batch of episodes from the Napoleonic Quarterly, beginning with episode 9 on Friday June 4th, including...
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The first major fleet action of these wars
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A sticky end for one of the French Revolution's most importance characters
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French numbers begin to tell in the Low Countries
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The British seek to flex their naval muscles in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean
... and much more. In addition to the main eight episodes you can expect six more interview episodes with some of the military historians and academics interviewed for this series - three in a row after episode 12 and three more after episode 16.
Professor Emeritus Charles Esdaile of the University of Liverpool discusses his never-ending crusade against the many myths and misperceptions which predominate about the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. This interview was the first recorded for this podcast in the spring of 2020. An alternative title might therefore have been 'CHARLES ESDAILE on the Napoleonic Quarterly', as much of what is discussed is framed around the challenge faced by this podcast in its attempt to present a synthesis of these 24 astonishing years.
Dr Jacqueline Reiter discusses the subject of her second autobiography, Sir Home Riggs Popham, an extraordinary man whose ability to persuade the British government to go along with his ideas was only matched by his ability to make a botch of them.
You can watch more of Jacqueline talking about Sir Home's career from [4:10] in her contribution to the recent Massena Society Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf4w40aV4Nk
Military historian and author Philip Ball discusses his experience researching and writing his book Neither Up Nor Down: The British Army and the Flanders Campaign 1793-1795 (2020), as well as his reflections on the odd vagaries - and odd personalities - of the period.
Link: https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/neither-up-nor-down-the-british-army-and-the-flanders-campaign-1793-1795.php?sid=92ffb898ebcf3de91cb88867ffdd748a
- October, November, December. Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte helps the French retake Toulon… the Austrians set themselves up for a fall at Wattingnies… and in the Caribbean the situation on Saint Domingue descends further into the mire. This is episode eight of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the French revolutionaries crush their enemies within and without through the merciless use of brute force.
[4:15] – An extended opening section in which Charles Esdaile tells the story of the horror of the Vendee during this quarter
[15:15] – Alexander Mikaberidze on the recapture of Toulon
[29:20] – Philip Ball on the Austrian siege of Mauberge and the Battle of Wattingnies
[46:25] – Christy Pichichero on Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Slave Revolt up to the end of 1793
Plus from [1:05:43] Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze sum up not just this three months but the entire two years covered by season one.
Also, keep on listening for the final three minutes! It's got lots of thunder!
- July, August, September. Three months in which the machinery of the Terror grinds into action… Toulon hands itself over to the Allies but is soon under siege… And Allied hopes of making progress against the border fortresses protecting France in Flanders meet another major setback. This is episode seven of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte first makes his mark on the Revolution.
[11:48] – Marisa Linton on the beginnings of the Terror
[23:56] – Alexander Mikaberidze on the Federalist Revolts and Toulon’s uprising
[46:25] – Paul Demet on the campaign in the Low Countries and the Battle of Hondschoote
Plus from [36:40] Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze discuss Napoleon Bonaparte who arrives on the scene for the first time; and from [1:05:13] they assess the situation at the end of this turbulent three months.
- April, May, June. Three months in which a leading French general defects to the Allies... In Paris the game is up for the ruling Girondin faction as the sans-culottes and the Jacobins force them out… and revolt and insurrection erupts in the Vendee. This is episode six of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the Jacobins mount their takeover of the revolution.
[08:40] - David Andress on the Vendee
[21:43] - Marisa Linton on the downfall of the Brissotins
[37:14] - Philip Ball on Dumouriez's defection
Plus from [52:43] Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze size up the state of play at the end of this three-month period and look ahead to the big cliffhangers and question-marks as we head into the second half of 1793.
- January. February. March. Three months in which the French revolutionary wave finally breaks against the rock of the Austrian military at Neerwinden... the French declare war against Britain, the Netherlands and Spain... and a King loses his head to the guillotine.
This is episode five of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the stakes are raised across Europe.
[07:15] - Marisa Linton on the execution of Louis XVI
[23:48] - Philip Ball on the Allied defeat at Neerwinden
[41:18] - David Andress on the French declarations of war against Britain and Spain
Plus Alexander Stevenson is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze throughout for analysis and expert summaries - and from [56:23] an assessment of the state of play on 31 March 1793.
Professor Alexander Mikaberidze of Louisiana State University discusses his amibitious history of the 1792-1815 period, The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History (2020).
Associate Professor Christy Pichichero of George Mason University discusses new and emerging historical approaches that tell the stories of the marginalised and the enslaved in the 1792-1815 period.
Professor David Andress of the University of Portsmouth discusses the role of emotion during the French Revolution.
- October, November, December. Three months in which the French win a major victory against the Austrians, opening up the road into Belgium... An extraordinary and audacious raid over the Rhine gets out of hand… And the British government is beginning to realise that events on the continent are starting to get a little out of hand. This is episode four of the Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which allied hopes of crushing the Revolution before Christmas are well and truly extinguished.
[10:40] - Philip Ball on the French victory at Jemappes
[24:48] - Paul Demet on Custine's invasion of Germany
[41:10] - Jacqueline Reiter on the tensions underlying British attitudes towards the continent in 1792
Plus Alexander Stevenson is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze throughout for analysis and expert summaries - and from [57:56] an assessment of the state of play on 31 December 1792.
- July, August, September: three months in which the French win a surprising first victory at Valmy… A fevered atmosphere in Paris leads to the removal of the King and the founding of a Republic… And in eastern Europe Russia has its way with Poland with a disaster for King Stanislaus now in the offing. This is episode three of the Napoleonic Quarterly, in which the myth of the irresistible French revolutionary spirit on the battlefield has been well and truly born.
[05:28] - David Andress on the fevered atmosphere in Paris, the radicals' march on the Tuileries and the September Massacres
[20:43] - Rafe Blaufarb on the unexpected French victory against the Austrians and Prussians at Valmy
[37:00] - Adam Zamoyski on the disastrous consequences of the Russo-Polish War for Poland
Plus Alexander Stevenson is joined by Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze throughout for analysis and expert summaries - and from [48:31] an assessment of the state of play on 30 September 1792.
- April, May, June: three months in which the French Revolutionary Wars begin in earnest… the Haitian Slave Revolt takes a turn for the worse… and Russian forces intent on crushing the Poles begin rolling westwards towards Warsaw. This is episode two of the Napoleonic Quarterly, and swords are being unsheathed across the European mainland.
[08:00] - Rafe Blaufarb on the state of the French military as the Revolution goes to war
[26:43] - Christy Pichichero on the Haitian Slave Revolt and how the French colony of Saint Domingue was plunged into turmoil
[48:29] - Adam Zamoyski on the crisis in eastern Europe leading to the Russo-Polish War of 1792
And throughout, Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their commentary and expert analysis on the overall situation.
- January, February, March. Three months in which the French Revolution burns for war… Austria and Prussia move their troops towards the border with France… and Britain resolutely ignores Prussia’s appeal to join the coalition. This is episode one of The Napoleonic Quarterly – covering three months in which the continent of Europe moves to the brink of war.
[05:21] - Professor Emeritus Charles Esdaile and Professor Alexander Mikaberidze discuss the French Revolution
[16:07] - INTERVIEW 1 - Professor David Andress on France's enthusiasm for war
[25:57] - Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze on why the Polish crisis mattered more to Europe than the French Revolution in 1792
[33:45] - INTERVIEW 2 - Paul Demet on how Austria and Prussia went from rivals to allies
[43:20] - INTERVIEW 3 - Dr Jacqueline Reiter on British attitudes to the Revolution
[53:47] - Charles Esdaile and Alex Mikaberidze assess the state of play on 31 March 1792
In this new podcast about the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars leading historians of the period break down the conflicts, diplomacy and politics of 1792-1815 into episodes covering three months at a time.