Napolean Part III

Andrew Roberts' three-part profile of the French emperor concludes as the historian sheds light on Bonaparte's eventual downfall. He explores how a breach of trust by Tsar Alexander I led Napoleon to launch his ultimately disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia, and began a chain of events that would lead to the erosion of his support across the continent, culminating in his decisive defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington during the Battle of Waterloo. Andrew reveals how the monarchies of Europe banded together to bring down the French emperor, and then visits the remote Atlantic island of St Helena, where the British eventually imprisoned Napoleon following his defeat in the Netherlands. Last in the series

This was very good. A superb presentation by Andrew Roberts.

As you have pointed out Leopard, Napoleon's wars were defensive, protecting France by attack from other
European countries who did not want the ideas of the French Revolution spreading.

The two exceptions were Spain/Portugal and Russia, wars of aggression that were fought to try and break the British
economic blockade on France.

As a man I regard Napoleon as immensely intelligent and talented, in fact a military genius.
I do not regard him as a bad man, although an incredible amount of men died because of his wars.

Yes Russia was a terrible mistake for Napoleon he seemed overly sensitive to what he regarded as Tsar Alexander's betrayal.

At Borodino and Waterloo we do not see Napoleon at his best. Borodino in particular was an appalling slaughter.
At Waterloo he was under pressure, he knew he had to prevent Wellington and Blucher joining up, but he never really established where Blucher
was did he?, and despatching 30,000 troops to try and find him(they did not) a bad blunder, although it has to be said
Wellington fought a brilliant defensive battle.

I will miss this  program.

Its been very good - havent seen 3rd one yet - but it just goes to show how monarchies and the elite are quite happy (and always have been) to send millions to their deaths to keep themselves at the top of the food chain.

(referring to Europes monarchies attempts to crush a revolution that "worked")