The Emperor's Friend: Marshal Jean Lannes (Contributions in Military Studies)

An examination of the life of Marshal Jean Lannes, this study looks at the career of the only soldier of any rank who consistently said exactly what he thought to Napoleon at every stage of their amazing careers. The marshal not only survived these frank encounters, he was well rewarded for his abilities, which were remarkable even among the stellar senior officers who served the Emperor. While Lannes was best known for his military skill, especially as an advance-guard commander, his unconventional three-year diplomatic career was equally noteworthy, since his diplomatic tactics resulted in particular benefits for France. His career spanned much of what many historians and readers believe to be one of the most fascinating and controversial eras in French history. The marshal's personality and his tendency to lead by example rather than by orders won him the respect and the affection of his troops. He also charmed a diverse number of his contemporaries, from autocratic rulers to literary icons. Although his relationship with Napoleon was stormy at times, he earned and kept the Emperor's friendship and esteem. Chrisawn avoids the tendency of previous biographers to either canonize or condemn the marshal, providing instead a balanced treatment of her subject which includes both his strengths and his shortcomings. Marshal Jean Lannes emerges as a complete person within the context of his own intriguing world. Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction: D’Artagnan’s Successor, 1769–1792 10 1. The Dyer’s Apprentice at War and in Love: L’Armée des Pyrénées-orientales, 1793–1795 16 2. Friends in High Places: L’Armée d’ltalie, 1795–1797 30 3. Crocodiles Fighting in the Reeds: L’Armée d’Orient, 1798–1799 54 4. Following Hannibal and Caesar: L’Armée de Réserve, 1800 78 5. A Military Bull in a Diplomatic China Shop: Lisbon, 1802–1804 102 6. The Sun and a Few Stars: Austerlitz, 1805 118 7. Revanche on a Grand Scale: Jena, 1806 148 8. Advance-guard Extraordinaire: Friedland, 1807 172 9. The Dogs of War: The Second Siege of Saragossa, 1808–1809 202 10. Until the Last One’s Gone: Essling, 1809 228 Conclusion: Le Chevalier sans peur et sans reproche 262 Index 268 A 268 B 268 C 269 D 269 E 270 F 270 G 270 H 271 I 271 J 271 K 271 L 271 M 272 N 272 O 273 P 273 Q 273 R 273 S 273 T 274 U 274 V 274 W 274 Z 274 "An examination of the life of Marshal Jean Lannes, this study looks at the career of the only soldier of any rank who consistently said exactly what he thought to Napoleon at every stage of their careers. The marshal not only survived these frank encounters, he was well rewarded for his abilities, which were remarkable even among the stellar senior officers who served the Emperor. While Lannes was best known for his military skill, especially as an advance-guard commander, his unconventional three-year diplomatic career was equally noteworthy, since his diplomatic tactics resulted in particular benefits for France. His career spanned much of what many historians and readers believe to be one of the most fascinating and controversial eras in French history."--BOOK JACKET. In this biography of the successor to the swashbuckling hero d'Artagnan of Dumas' The Three Musketeers, Chrisawn (history, Tallahassee Community College) chronicles the military and amorous exploits of Jean Lannes. Born the same year (1769) as Napoleon, his future commander-in-chief, Lannes participated in battles from the Pyrenees to Egypt as shown in 46 maps specifically drawn for this volume, as well as "developing his role as wounded hero into an art form." As part of her onsite research, the author undoubtedly viewed the legendary Marshal's statue in Gascony. c. Book News Inc