Rating: 
Summary: Superb, with some exceptions
Review: The design of this book is that every major campaign is introduced by one page of text and a graphic, followed by text on the left page and a map on the right page. It is a tremendous collection of maps, which are of great help to understand the campaigns especially as many books cover only specific battles. In the appendix one can find a good section with short-biographies of French and other military leaders and a fine list of books recommended to read. The fine impression of this book is a bit overshadowed by the completely insufficient coverage of the Peninsular campaign. Only 20 pages (10 text, one painting and nine maps of which only four are different, the other five a just repetitions). Only one page text and one map with no movements just markers where all important battles took place from 1808-1814 is absolutely unacceptable for this battle-rich period in the Peninsular campaign. It can be noted that less attention was given to battles in which Napoleon himself was not present.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it for the maps....
Review: The maps are great. As for the text, there is not a simple answer. When researching Borodino and the Russian campaign I found it to be unreliable. On the other hand Elting understood the essence of the men and methods of the period like no one else and his writing was full of insights. By all means use the maps and read his text, but most of all pick up his Swords Around a Throne. THAT is his masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it for the maps....
Review: The maps are great. As for the text, there is not a simple answer. When researching Borodino and the Russian campaign I found it to be unreliable. On the other hand Elting understood the essence of the men and methods of the period like no one else and his writing was full of insights. By all means use the maps and read his text, but most of all pick up his Swords Around a Throne. THAT is his masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Launching Pad
Review: This book provides an excellent launching pad on the major campaigns of Napoleon. The book details the key movements of key players and the battles of the major campaigns and are all appropriately referenced to accompanying maps which help clarify the narrative.All the major campaigns are included from Italy, Eygpt, Austerlitz, Russia, Waterloo etc etc. Also included are brief biographical sketches of Napoleon's Marshals and his opponents. The book is of unusual dimensions but this is necessary for the inclusion of the maps. My only minor gripe is that in the age of computer graphics the maps could perhaps have been updated. Overall this is an excellent summary of Napoleon's campaigns which I found useful as I was unfamilar with many of them other than Waterloo and Austerlitz. The book is designed to give the reader a taste of each campaign or battle from which he or she can follow up with further more detailed accounts. A comprehensive recommended reading guide is listed at the back of the book. This is an essential guide on the Napoleonic wars.
Rating:
Summary: 'Let Us Go Amongst Them'
Review: This essay is somewhat irregular, as I have already reviewed this superb volume. However, some of the inaccurate remarks made by 'A Reader' on 22 April 2000, entitled 'A Good Book To Be Used With Caution' need to be set straight. I am not in any way saying that any reviewer is not free to express his opinion, merely that if something is to be said, it should be as accurate as possible. In four cases in his review, it is my opinion that he is way off the mark, which prompts the question, did he even bother to read the book? First, he states that Napoleonic battle narratives have 'never been Elting's strength.' The battles talked about in the Atlas are some of the most accurate ever written, given that they are not as detailed as an entire book devoted to a single action. Primary and reliable secondary accounts have been used for each, and all have been meticulously researched. Additionally, Col Elting was quite at home with battle studies. He wrote two excellent ones for the Revolutionary War period: Bunker Hill and The Battles of Saratoga, which were both praised by historian W.J. Wood in the bibliographical essay of his work, Battles of the Revolutionary War. Second, the reviewer stated that 'Elting's combat details and troops strengths must be used with caution.' This is somewhat misleading. The casualty figures and end strengths were again taken from primary or reliable secondary sources (for example, the Austrian losses cited for the Battle of Marengo in 1800 were taken from Melas', the Austrian commander's, after action report). If there were any errors, and if there were they were few in number, they were corrected for this new edition of the Atlas. The narrative is clear, free flowing, and enjoyable to read. I haven't been able to find any large errors in the anrrative, and I've been studying the period for over thirty years, in French as well as English. If errors were found by the reviewer, they should have been listed in the review for all to see and check for themselves. Third, and this is the most egregious error in the review, the reviewer stated that 'Elting's annotated recommended reading list at the back of the book shoud be read with the understanding of the political landscape on which Elting writes. Elting's annotations give generous cover (ie no criticisms) to loyal friends and fellow army authors, while holding writers who are NOT part of that...to far different standard.' This statement is grossly inaccurate. First, the greater majority of the authors cited in the recommended reading list are not acquaintences or friends of Col Elting. Most are no longer alive to begin with and died in the 19th or very early 20th century (Col Elting was born in 1911). There are very few 'fellow army authors' listed (Lanza is one, and he takes his lumps along with everyone else). His book on Marengo was published in 1922. The praise and criticism by Col Elting is given on the merits of the work, not on who wrote it. The same standard, accuracy and merit, are the same for all books and authors listed, and it is amazing to me that the author came up with this statement at all. Col Elting's reputation as a historian, scholar, and teacher are impeccable, and unfounded statements such as this one lends one to believe there is an axe to grind here, for whatever reason. The remark on the 'political landscape' is baffling to say the least. What political landscape is being referred to? Lastly, the reviewer stated that that the recommended reading list was full of 'opinionated annotated reviews.' No kidding. A review is by definition 'opinionated', as is this essay, and any other review. The issue is whether or not the opinion is accurate and impartial. In Col Elting's case here, it is not only accurate, but learned and very helpful in every case. Reviews of this nature are not helpful because they are inaccurate. That reviewer is more than entitled to his opinion. However it is my opinion that if you don't back up negative comments with facts in your presentation, it makes your presentation somewhat worthless.
Rating:
Summary: 'Let Us Go Amongst Them'
Review: This essay is somewhat irregular, as I have already reviewed this superb volume. However, some of the inaccurate remarks made by 'A Reader' on 22 April 2000, entitled 'A Good Book To Be Used With Caution' need to be set straight. I am not in any way saying that any reviewer is not free to express his opinion, merely that if something is to be said, it should be as accurate as possible. In four cases in his review, it is my opinion that he is way off the mark, which prompts the question, did he even bother to read the book? First, he states that Napoleonic battle narratives have 'never been Elting's strength.' The battles talked about in the Atlas are some of the most accurate ever written, given that they are not as detailed as an entire book devoted to a single action. Primary and reliable secondary accounts have been used for each, and all have been meticulously researched. Additionally, Col Elting was quite at home with battle studies. He wrote two excellent ones for the Revolutionary War period: Bunker Hill and The Battles of Saratoga, which were both praised by historian W.J. Wood in the bibliographical essay of his work, Battles of the Revolutionary War. Second, the reviewer stated that 'Elting's combat details and troops strengths must be used with caution.' This is somewhat misleading. The casualty figures and end strengths were again taken from primary or reliable secondary sources (for example, the Austrian losses cited for the Battle of Marengo in 1800 were taken from Melas', the Austrian commander's, after action report). If there were any errors, and if there were they were few in number, they were corrected for this new edition of the Atlas. The narrative is clear, free flowing, and enjoyable to read. I haven't been able to find any large errors in the anrrative, and I've been studying the period for over thirty years, in French as well as English. If errors were found by the reviewer, they should have been listed in the review for all to see and check for themselves. Third, and this is the most egregious error in the review, the reviewer stated that 'Elting's annotated recommended reading list at the back of the book shoud be read with the understanding of the political landscape on which Elting writes. Elting's annotations give generous cover (ie no criticisms) to loyal friends and fellow army authors, while holding writers who are NOT part of that...to far different standard.' This statement is grossly inaccurate. First, the greater majority of the authors cited in the recommended reading list are not acquaintences or friends of Col Elting. Most are no longer alive to begin with and died in the 19th or very early 20th century (Col Elting was born in 1911). There are very few 'fellow army authors' listed (Lanza is one, and he takes his lumps along with everyone else). His book on Marengo was published in 1922. The praise and criticism by Col Elting is given on the merits of the work, not on who wrote it. The same standard, accuracy and merit, are the same for all books and authors listed, and it is amazing to me that the author came up with this statement at all. Col Elting's reputation as a historian, scholar, and teacher are impeccable, and unfounded statements such as this one lends one to believe there is an axe to grind here, for whatever reason. The remark on the 'political landscape' is baffling to say the least. What political landscape is being referred to? Lastly, the reviewer stated that that the recommended reading list was full of 'opinionated annotated reviews.' No kidding. A review is by definition 'opinionated', as is this essay, and any other review. The issue is whether or not the opinion is accurate and impartial. In Col Elting's case here, it is not only accurate, but learned and very helpful in every case. Reviews of this nature are not helpful because they are inaccurate. That reviewer is more than entitled to his opinion. However it is my opinion that if you don't back up negative comments with facts in your presentation, it makes your presentation somewhat worthless.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book to be used with caution
Review: This is good, single source maps and general narrative to the Napoleonic wars. It is NOT a detailed battle narrative, an aspect of Napoleonic history which has NEVER been Elting's strength. While the maps are excellent for reference of WHERE formations were, readers should be aware that Elting's combat details and troop strengths must be used with caution, and should therefore refer to more detailed, carefully researched books on the respective campaign/battles for such accuracy. Finally, Elting's annotated recommended reading list at the back of the book should be read with the understanding of the political landscape on which Elting writes. Elting's annotations give generous "cover" (i.e.- no criticisms) to loyal friends and fellow army authors, while holding writers who are NOT part of that circle in to far different standard. In summary, use this book for what it was intended to be---a general reference. But do not let Elting's errors in battle narratives, troop strengths, or his opinionated annonated reviews be a substitution for one's own investigation and conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Core of any military library
Review: This is quite simply one of the basics...if you don't have this in your library of Military History or Napoleonic History then your library will be judged accordingly...
Rating:
Summary: An incredibly concise study of Napoleon's campaigns
Review: You expect Esposito's "West Point Atlas" series (Napoleonic Wars, American Wars, Civil War) to be wonderful tools for the serious amateur to understand the combat and movements of opposing forces -- and they are. However, what I found particularly striking in this work is the way Esposito, in just a few paragraphs, captures how the campaigns relate and the geo-political ramifications of the campaigns. If I could only own one book as my source of information concerning the Napoleonic Wars, it would be this one. -- Bernie Lambe, Washington, DC
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