Counterpoint to Trafalgar: The Anglo-Russian Invasion of Naples, 1805-1806 (New Perspectives on Maritime History & Nautical Archaeology) Book

"A fascinating, detailed account. . . . A masterful portrayal of the complexities of coalition warfare, with its court intrigues and diplomatic betrayal, military brilliance and incompetence, strong leadership and moral weakness . . . a vivid history of a peculiar military sideshow which unexpectedly produced far-reaching effects in the wars against Napoleon."--Journal of Military History   "Delightful. . . . Flayhart is especially skilled at sketching the personalities of the generals, diplomats, and politicians involved in planning and carrying out the enterprise. . . . This well-written and organized study belongs in the library of every Napoleonic and military history buff and of every scholarly institution."--American Historical Review   Counterpoint to Trafalgar offers the first detailed account of the important land and sea campaign in the Napoleonic wars: the Anglo-Russian invasion of Naples, which prevented Napoleon from controlling the Mediterranean during the war of the third coalition. Flayhart recounts the exciting story of the chaotic efforts of the joint British and Russian military force during the invasion of southern Italy.  In 1805 Napoleonic France and Great Britain were locked in a naval duel for maritime supremacy. A British military expedition was sent to the Mediterranean to preserve the independence of Naples. Joining with a Russian Army troop nearby, the combined forces invaded southern Italy in order to place allied troops between the French in the north and Naples in the south. The two great convoys carrying more than 20,000 Russian and British troops was too great a prize for Napoleon to ignore, and the emperor ordered the French fleet to enter the Mediterranean and destroy the troopships. The ensuing battle became known as the Battle of Trafalgar.   Read More