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Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies, and Three Battles
- Narrated by: Dugald Bruce Lockhart, Bernard Cornwell
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
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Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies, and Three Battles
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Summary
‘A fabulous story, superbly told … cannot be bettered’ Max Hastings
‘Some battles change nothing. Waterloo changed almost everything.’
On the 18th June 1815 the armies of France, Britain and Prussia descended upon a quiet valley south of Brussels. In the previous three days the French army had beaten the British at Quatre-Bras and the Prussians at Ligny. The Allies were in retreat.
The blood-soaked battle of Waterloo would become a landmark in European history, to be examined over and again, not least because until the evening of the 18th, the French army was close to prevailing on the battlefield.
Now, brought to life by the celebrated novelist Bernard Cornwell, this is the chronicle of the four days leading up to the actual battle and a thrilling hour-by-hour account of that fateful day.
In his first work of non-fiction, Cornwell combines his storytelling skills with a meticulously researched history to give a riveting account of every dramatic moment, from Napoleon’s escape from Elba to the smoke and gore of the battlefields. Through letters and diaries he also sheds new light on the private thoughts of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington, as well as the ordinary officers and soldiers.
Published to coincide with the bicentenary in 2015, Waterloo is a tense and gripping story of heroism and tragedy – and of the final battle that determined the fate of Europe.
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Editor reviews
International best-selling author Bernard Cornwell has written one of the most captivating portrayals of the Battle of Waterloo in Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles, expertly narrated in this unabridged audiobook by both British actor Dugald Bruce Lockhart and Cornwell himself. The tenseness in the days leading up to that fateful day in 1815 has been captured flawlessly through the eyes of citizens, soldiers, Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington as they prepared and fought the most famous battle in British history. Available now from Audible.
Critic reviews
‘[…] An account that is both vivid and scholarly. Readers new to the Waterloo campaign could hope for no better introduction, and veterans will find fresh insights.’ Independent
‘An excellent first foray into non-fiction, and proof that good narrative history is no different from fiction – it’s all about the story.’ Evening Standard
‘A gripping “fife and drum” account […] beautifully produced.’ Country Life
Praise for Bernard Cornwell’s previous titles:
‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.’ George R.R. Martin
‘Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.’ Observer
What listeners say about Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies, and Three Battles
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr N.
- 21-07-15
Excellent
Easy to listen to and digest
Clear very engaging. It's like a novel but real
Top stuff!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Elaine Tierney
- 29-08-17
Peter
Whilst i have read many books on the subject i found this really interesting listening
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gregory Ward
- 27-12-23
An exceptional piece of work
Although I have been interested in military history all my life, Waterloo seemed a story that everyone knew. As a result I overlooked it. Eventually I listened to this story and was so glad I had not heard it from anyone else. This was an unbelievable tale. I could not “put it down” and I will listen to it again. Fantastic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Chris
- 01-04-15
Brilliant
Well narrated and a great account of the battle. Really interesting from start to finish. Although there are many accounts of the battle elsewhere this one kept me enthralled all the way through.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- EJ
- 22-04-15
A first rate listen
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Wonderful. I felt I was in the battle. Ligny, Quatre Bras and Waterloo - the battle of three armies, it is all there. I was in Hougamont and La Haie Sainte farms, I charged with the heavy cavalry brigades into D'Erlon's infantry, I was at La Belle Alliance and stood on the cross roads below Mont St Jean. I was with Blucher and the Prussians at Plancenoit. I was stood in the square to repel Marshal Ney's cavalry and watched the advance, and then retreat, of Napoleon's guards. Thank you Bernard Cornwell for such a wonderful description of the battle. The narrator was perfect.
Any additional comments?
I was so impressed with this book I have now purchased Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe's Waterloo.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- William Lamb
- 26-01-16
Better than fiction
This is very well spoken and has a great descriptive explanation of events. Highly recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr S.M.R.Plocki
- 26-07-15
Superb
One of the very best histories of Waterloo that I have read. Absolutely outstanding book. Thoroughly recommended.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Brian Davidson
- 04-10-16
A great listen, well read.
I really enjoyed this book, good accounts from a wide range of participants involved in the battle. Also well narrated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gary
- 06-06-15
Great book
Loved this book! Great detail on the battle. A must for Waterloo fans. Narrator very good, easy listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Julian Bowdidge
- 25-02-15
It rattles along.
A concise telling of the battle of waterloo and it does a cracking job. It does enough to encourage more investigation into events of the battle and the history of Europe at the time.
The narrator keeps things lively without going wild at important events.
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3 people found this helpful