Would it be possible for me to join in the discussion, Tony Broughton

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Hello Tony, long time no see, great to have you on board. Brummie, Yes Petre can be a little dry at times but still very interesting. Another brilliant historian is James R Arnold his books are so readable and very very interesting. I have recently finished his one about the Friedland Campaign "Napoleons Triumph"...I am now desperate to track down a copy of the proceeding volume "Crisis in the Snow" that deals with Eylau.

Yes, the Friedland campaign is very interesting in that it seems to be a perfect illustration of what the difference is between the Napoleonic system of warfare in 1807 (its zenith) and just a few years later in 1812 and 1815.

The loss of exceptional commanders like Lannes and the massive casualties to experienced NCOs and long service soldiers being crucial I feel.

I belive Petres books came from his staff work in the British army when he was trying to investigate the "Napoleonic secret"! of maneuver warfare.

Yes Steve, I believe that he worked at one time for the "British " Indian Civil Service whilst researching / writing his books.He certainly visited the battlefields as some of his photographs appear in his books. I will always remember standing on top of the Landgrafenberg at Jena for the first time (1996 I think it was) with a copy of his photo of the spot taken early in the 1900s...magical as there had been so little change. Now though Cosperda has grown and new houses are encroching onto the battlefield.