Napoleon by Colson, Bruno -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Contents Introduction Book I. The Nature of War

1. What is War?

The officer’s ethics ‘I know of no namby-pamby war’ Civil wars War and peace

2. War and Law

The rules for surrendering fortified towns No capitulation in open country ‘Perfidious Albion’ Respect for the law of nations and military laws The law of nations on land and at sea

3. Military Genius

Having a genius for war The qualities of the leader: more character than spirit Portraits of generals The naval general and the land general

4. On Danger in War

Anxieties and dangers Death and mourning

5. On Physical Effort in War

Illnesses, fatigue, and privations Caring for the men

6. Intelligence in War

Knowing what the enemy is doing Interrogating prisoners

7. Friction in War

Accidents, circumstances, delays Seizing the moment Adapting orders to circumstances

Conclusion to Book I

Book II. The Theory of War

1. Classifications in the Art of War

Tactics, grand tactics, major operations Strategy

2. On the Theory of War

The desire to theorize war Machiavelli, Folard, Maurice de Saxe Jomini Rogniat and Marbot

3. Art of War or Science of War 4. Method and Routine

Principles On the axes to which a curve is related

5. Critical Analysis 6. On Examples

Learning about war through history The example of the great commanders Feuquière Military education by example and its limits

Conclusion to Book II

Book III. On Strategy in General

1. Strategy 2. Moral Factors

Everything is opinion in war The number of the enemies Maintaining morale and control of the press Moral implications of strategic moves

3. The Principal Moral Elements 4. Military Virtues of the Army

Discipline Honour, emulation, esprit de corps The education of troops What leaders should say to soldiers

5. Boldness 6. Perseverance 7. Superiority of Numbers 8. Surprise 9. Cunning 10. Concentration of Forces in Space

The concentration of forces at the decisive point Staying unified when near the enemy

11. Unification of Forces in Time 12. The Strategic Reserve 13. Economy of Force 14. The Character of Modern Warfare Conclusion to Book III

Book IV. The Engagement

1. The Nature of Battle Today 2. The Engagement in General

Predominance of firepower Battle dispositions Detailed tactics

3. The Battle: Its Decision

The decisive moment and ‘the event’ The phases of the battle

4. Mutual Agreement to Fight 5. The Principal Battle: Its Decision

Using one’s aces Resolution and tenacity

6. The Principal Battle: The Use of the Battle

Seeking battle Principal battle and campaign plan

7. Strategic Means of Exploiting Victory 8. Retreat after a Lost Battle Conclusion to Book IV

Book V. Military Forces

1. General Survey 2. Relationship between the Branches of the Military

Proportion and relationship of branches Artillery Cavalry Infantry, the French soldier The engineering corps The medical service

3. The Army’s Order of Battle

The organization of the army Unity of command

4. General Disposition of the Army 5. Advance Guards and Outposts 6. Operational Use of Advanced Corps 7. Camps 8. Marches 9. Supply 10. Lines of Communication and Lines of Operations 11. Region and Terrain Conclusion to Book V

Book VI. Defence

1. Attack and Defence 2. The Relationship between Attack and Defence in Tactics 3. The Relationship between Attack and Defence in Strategy 4. The Convergent Character of Attack and the Divergent Character of Defence 5. The Character of Strategic Defence 6. The Defensive Battle 7. Fortresses

The usefulness of fortresses Depot posts and field posts Borders and capitals Defending yourself until the last moment

8. Defensive Positions 9. Fortified Positions and Entrenched Camps 10. Defensive Mountain Warfare 11. Defence of Rivers and Streams 12. Defence of Swamps—Inundations 13. The Cordon 14. The Key to the Country 15. Retreat to the Interior of the Country 16. The People in Arms 17. Defence of a Theatre of War Conclusion to Book VI

Book VII. Attack

1. Attack in Relation to Defence 2. The Nature of Strategic Attack 3. The Offensive Battle

Frederick II’s battles and oblique order The form and the means of attack Naval battles

4. River Crossings 5. Attack on Defensive Positions 6. Attack on a Mountainous Area 7. Manoeuvre 8. Attack on Fortresses 9. Invasion

War of invasion and routine war Conciliating invaded peoples On the difficulties of occupation and the placement of troops Counter-insurgency methods Means of pacification

Conclusion to Book VII

Book VIII. War Plans

1. The Plan of Campaign 2. The Military Objective and the Enemy’s Centre of Gravity 3. War and Politics

Influence of the political objective on the military objective The army, rampart of the state Primacy of the civil over the military

4. The Supreme Commander and the Government 5. The War Plan when the Objective is the Destruction of the Enemy Conclusion to Book VIII Conclusion

Notes

Introduction Book I Book II Book III Book IV Book V Book VI Book VII Book VIII Conclusion

Sources and Bibliography Index

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