Eagles Over the Alps: Suvorov in Italy and Switzerland, 1799

(Hardback)

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A superbly researched and detailed narrative of the Russian campaign in the Alps against the armies of Revolutionary France. 1799 - Russia's greatest soldier was at war in Italy and Switzerland. Led by Suvorov, believed by many to be the equal of Napoleon, the Russian and Austrian troops claimed one victory after another against the French. Much more than strategy and tactics, this a story of adventure as a Russian army fights desperate rearguard actions, and tries to escape through cruel mountain passes in the night. Suvorov's memory is still treasured in the Russian armed forces today. The last and greatest campaign of this legendary soldier has found a fitting narrator in Christopher Duffy. Suvorov's marches and battles can be traced on the many maps, photographs, and original artwork recreates the appearance of the troops. 72 b/w illustrations & photos, 34 b/w maps

Reviews

"Eagles Over the Alps achieves the author's stated goals. It will appeal to enthusiasts and scholars whose interests lie within these narrow goals."-- "Journal of Military History"

Author Bio

Christopher Duffy is the 'acclaimed and highly-regarded doyen of eighteenth-century military history' (The Herald). His works are grounded on unpublished sources and physical realities, and are characterised by the attention that is given to the visual presentation - and not least the maps, which he draws himself. Dr Duffy was born in 1936. He was a contemporary and friend of John Keegan at Balliol College, Oxford - gaining a first-class degree in Modern History in 1958 and his doctorate in 1961. In that year he joined the Department of Military History at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and retired from there in 1996 as Senior Lecturer in War Studies. After a research professorship at De Monfort University (1996-2001), he became involved in a variety of voluntary work - taking in historical advice and fundraising for the National Trust for Scotland's centre at Culloden. As such, he is heavily engaged in the effort to save this and other 'Jacobite' battlefields from the threat of development, which has now become acute. He was a founder member of the British Commission for Military History and the Scottish Battlefields Trust, and is currently a Vice-President of the Military History Society of Ireland and Chairman of the 1745 Association.