Many military historians hold that Napoleon's penultimate campaign, his dogged 1814 defence of France, as he beat a fighting retreat towards Paris, showed the old master at his very best. Grossly outnumbered by the allied armies that were snapping at his heels, employing young and inexperienced conscripts after the destruction of his old armies in Russia and Prussia, the Emperor nevertheless put up an impressive performance, fighting on average a battle or skirmish every two days, and winning many of them. This classic account of the campaign, one of a two -volume set that concludes with the Waterloo campaign of 1815, gives a blow by blow account from the opening of the year, through Napoleon's fighting retreat through Champagne and the battles of Craonne, Laon, Arcis, Fere-Champenoise and St Dizier - Napoleon's last victory. Finally, the last act encompasses the Allied capture of Paris, the defection of the brilliant but corrupt Marshal Marmont, and Napoleon's abdication at Fontainebleau. However, as Volume Two of this sweeping history relates, this greatest of all soldiers still had some surprises up his greatcoat sleeve. Illustrated with detailed battle maps, this is a must for all Napoleonic fans.