How a case of hemorrhoids might have changed Europe forever
A sense of purpose and a new mission are important for any veteran after their time in service ends. This is one of the reasons transitioning to a civilian can…
One of Napoleon’s best generals returned to France after almost 200 years
Charles-Étienne Gudin’s heart has always been with France. More specifically, it’s been in France since his death fighting the Russians with Napoleon in 1812. His body, unfortunately, was mostly lost…
This statistical analysis determined the 10 best generals of all time
Someone went and moneyball-ed military history. Ethan Arsht applied the principles of baseball sabermetrics to th…
Europe’s best plan to defeat Napoleon depended on not fighting him
Few geniuses are recognized in their time and for better or for worse, Napoleon Bonaparte was one of those geniuses. “The Little Corporal” was loathed by European royalty as he…
Napoleon’s bastard rejected his noble blood to join Foreign Legion
Alexandre Walewski, born to a Polish countess in 1810, was the acknowledged son of a Polish count who had served the last king of Poland before it was annexed by Russia — but most people who knew the family suspected that he was the son of the cou…
6 of France’s greatest military victories that people seem to forget
There’s no question about it: A singular blemish in French history is to blame for their eternal ridicule. The moment Marshal Philippe Petain surrendered (kind of) to the Germans after being the main target of the blitzkrieg was the moment…
The military origin of ‘turning a blind eye’ to something
There’s something to be said for aggressively pursuing the job you want. For British Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson, that opportunity came at the Battle of Copenhagen when the famous admiral disobeyed the orders of a less-famous, less successful one …
The crazy pirate plan to bring Napoleon to the United States
On Chartres Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter, you can find the best muffuletta sandwich and the best Pimm’s Cup cocktail at a place called Napoleon House – so named because it was going to be the residence of L’Empereur – just as soon as…
This unlucky general was forced to surrender to Washington and Napoleon
British Gen. Charles O’Hara was, by most reports, a dedicated and brave officer. He began his military career at the age of 12 as an ensign and then fought in the Seven Years War, attacked through a raging river while under fire in the Revolutionar…