(This chapter makes me almost want to reread War and Peace as well as Les Miserables.) Russian strategy of withdrawal . . . lure N. into the country . . . N. aware of the trap, but falls into anyway, always thinking that the decisive battle must occur soon . . . Vilnius as base for N. , , , Russians systematically destroy crops, windmills, bridges, livestocks, fodder, shelter, grain--anything that the French could use-- as they retreat . . . scorched earth--their own earth . . . Russia before the scorched earth policy would have not provided food for N's troops . . . 1000 horses die every day for 175 days French army spends in Russia . . . Typhus fever hits N's troops . . .80,000 dead or sick from typhus . . . fever, shaking, congestion of the brain, death . . . N. misled regarding state of health of his troops and state of food supply . . . Russians avoid battle, fleeing with precision: "There appeared more order in their defeat than in our victory." . . . N. presses on, boldness being his trademark and fearful of showing hesitation . . . incredible heat in August . . . simultaneously, Wellington defeats the French in Iberia at the battle of Salamanca . . . food shortages force N's men to go out into countryside where Russian irregulars kills them or take them prisoner . . .vast size of Russia overwhelms N's ability to invade . . .. Battle of Borodino--bloodiest battle untle the first battle of the Marne a century later . . . N wins, but not decisively . . . Russian army withdraws, again . . . N. criticized for not risking his Guard (elite troops) to the battle . . . he felt the need to keep them back in case . . . was it a mistake? Historians mixed, as was N.
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.
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