On 7 September 1812 at Borodino, 75 miles west of Moscow, the armies of the Russian and French empires clashed in one of the climactic battles of the Napoleonic Wars. This horrific - and controversial - contest has fascinated historians ever since. The survival of the Russian army after Borodino was a key factor in Napoleon's eventual defeat and the utter destruction of the French army of 1812. In this thought-provoking new study, Napoleonic historian Alexander Mikaberidze reconsiders the 1812 campaign and retells the terrible story of the Borodino battle as it was seen from the Russian point of view. His original and painstakingly researched investigation of this critical episode in Napoleon's invasion of Russia provides the reader with a fresh perspective on the battle and a broader understanding of the underlying reasons for the eventual Russian triumph.

This book as just receive second prize by the Literary Committee of the International Napoleonic Society. A total of twelve distinguished works were carefully evaluated and Dr. Mikaberidze’s volume has met the rigorous criteria established by the Committee. The quality of the publication, especially in the area of research, originality, style and analysis, represents a significant contribution to Napoleonic Studies.

ALEXANDER MIKABERIDZE is Hubert D. Humphreys Professor of History at Louisiana State University-Shreveport. He has written and edited over a dozen books, including Russian Eyewitness Accounts of the Campaign of 1812 and Russian Eyewitness Accounts of the Campaign of 1814.

Alexander has also received the John Elting Award from the Napoleonic Historical Society for contributing to the study of Napoleonic history which was awarded to him for being a ‘fine historian’ and ‘great writer’.