Book Review: Napoleon's Enfant Terrible: General Dominique Vandamme

Archives

by John. G. Gallagher

Norman: Ok.: University of Oklahoma Press, 2008. Pp. xiv, 362. Illus., maps, notes, biblio., index. $34.95. ISBN:978-0-8061-3875-6

Dominique Vandamme was lifelong soldier.  He entered a military school at the age of 12, and then served as an enlisted man, before rising to corps command during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, by dint of outstanding battlefield performance.  A short temper and sharp tongue, however, cost him a marshalate, a distinction that he probably merited more than some of those to whom Napoleon awarded a baton. 

This work, based on extensive research in recently discovered or previously overlooked documents, is essentially a military biography.  Focused on the general?s performance within the framework of the wars, it offers many insights into his character and particularly his irascible behavior, which may have, in part, been calculated to secure more autonomy in his assignments. 

In the process, the book gives the reader an insight into some of the dynamics and dangers of military service during the Revolutionary period, and the surprisingly petty relations among the senior officers in Napoleon's army.

Reviewer: A. A. Nofi   


Buy it at Amazon.com

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close