Björk, Patrik The Northern Coalition against Napoleon

The Campaigns of Bernadotte, Britain and the Swedes 1810-1815

This publication provides a new, exciting perspective on the wars against Napoleon. Initially orchestrated by former French Marshal Bernadotte, the coalition developed with British support to include all the great powers of Europe. By 1813, the coalition defeated Napoleon at Leipzig and drove him to the very gates of Paris. The Napoleonic Wars of 1810-1815 are depicted in a way that has never been done before. Including many events previously unpublished, "The Northern Coalition Against Napoleon" is a must-read for anyone with an interest in European history and the Napoleonic Wars. As sources, Patrik Björk has used letters, diaries, memoires, muster rolls, reports and journals. He has drawn upon information from documents in French, British, Swedish and Finnish archives, much of which has never been used before. Using a total of more than 500 different sources, including German, Russian, Danish, Norwegian and Italian literature, Björk presents a balanced and neutral narrative. Björks multifaceted account includes the conflicts between Napoleon and Bernadotte, and the remarkable events leading up to Bernadotte being elected Crown Prince of Sweden. New light is shed on the formation of the Northern Coalition. The campaigns and battles on land and at sea are described in depth, often with emphasis on Bernadotte, the Swedes, and the British. "The Northern Coalition Against Napoleon" is also a testimony to the human tragedies, hardships and courage of soldiers and civilians.