Skip to main content

Napoleon 23 Russia

Russia/France divided Europe up into spheres of influence, but N believes Russia is not keeping to its end of the bargain . . . Russia feels that the French insistence on no trade with England is too onerous of a burden--English trade crucial to Russian economy . . . Continental economic crisis in 1811 . . . Napoleon feels Brits are weakened by war with USA , , , Russia's trade with Britain, against French wishes and agreements, strengthens Brits. . . N. furious--Russia benefitting from agreement with France but also benefitting from ignoring the agreement and trading with Brits . . . N. feels war is necessary . . .  Britain lurking . . . Iberian campaign going poorly for France . . . Wellington leading British troops . . . N. not swift in attacking; Russia has a year to prepare . . . Cross into Russia on June 24, 1812 . . . 1 million men . . . 52% foreign

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tess of the D'Urbervilles, continued 2/3rds

"To all humankind, Tess was only a passing thought. Even to friends, she was only a frequently passing thought." Angel Clare is a good character. He's "enlightened," in so many ways, but when Tess's confesses her "crime," he reverts to ancestral form . . . Tess's "confession" comes earlier than I expected, right after Angel reveals that he has had a bad moment with a woman. Tess points out the similarity in their transgressions, though his is the only true transgression, expecting forgiveness. She doesn't get it. She returns to her mother . . . realizes she can't stay with her. Thoughts to suicide. Unhappiness that divorce is not possible. Departs. Tragic in that the two, if Angel could just see clearly, would indeed be a great couple, each adding to the other.  Nature as a definite force involved in the tragedy.  It's not neutral--when things go bad, the very skies mock Tess. Tess as unaware of the power of her bea...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin . . . finished

 Follows Sadie and Sam (Mazer) from childhood to mid-thirties when both are feeling old and a bit out of it in the gaming world.  Characters are well-rounded, develop throughout the novel in interesting way.  Plot is involved but sensible.  Not a single, "Oh, come on!" moment.  The book could have been faster paced. Odd, since the main topic is video games which are not for their speed of engagement and Gabrielle Zevin clearly knows her video games. Recommended by Michael Connelly in an interview.  He also has Bosch pick up the book in his novel, Resurrection Walk, as Bosch tails a possible witness to a crime as she moves through a bookstore. Sadie and Sam do not get together at the end, which is good.   Marx killed by homophobic nutcase who really wants to kill Sam, but Sam isn't there. Marx is father of Sadie's child. 
Post a Comment
Read more