The French Revolutionary wars of the eighteenth century resulted in the overturning of the tradition of 'linear' warfare on the European battlefield by a new system of 'impulse' warfare primarily employed by the French Army and later adopted by their adversaries. Historians have placed great emphasis on Napoleon's leadership in defining the outcome of decisive battles of the period, but Brent Nosworthy argues this fails to appreciate the wealth of opportunities the new impulse system afforded to his subordinate commanders at the expense of their opponents. This book argues that successful minor tactics were the building blocks which enabled Napoleon to implement his grand tactical designs, best illustrated by the triumph of Austerlitz.
Brent Nosworthy provides a wealth of detailed analysis of the various tactical doctrines employed by the main armies of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period, giving fresh consideration to the theoretical versus practical handling of the three principal arms of infantry, cavalry and artillery. His approach yields many fascinating new insights into the tactical operations of the armies of the period based on close examination of primary sources