In the months preceding the start of War and Peace, First Consul Napoleon used monarchist conspiracies to justify his election as Emperor of the French. He was crowned on 2 December in Paris.
In 1805, he also became King of Italy and appointed eighteen Marshals of the Empire to lead his armies. A coalition was formed against France, consisting of Great Britain, Russia, Sweden, Austria, Naples and the Ottoman Empire.
Napoleon’s plans to invade England unravelled, and in September, he crossed the Rhine to destroy the Austrian armies before Russia could come to their aid.
BOOK ONE
Book 1, Part 2
8 Feb: Chapter 14
Napoleon writes a furious letter to Murat telling him that Bagration has tricked him on the Vienna-Znaim road. He orders Murat to advance immediately.
Book 1, Part 3
28 Feb: Chapter 13
Napoleon makes a proclamation to his army, promising to fight alongside them if necessary to win the battle. The soldiers follow him with lit wisps of straw, shouting. “The peace,” Napoleon says, “I shall conclude will be worthy of my people, of you, and of myself.”
29 Feb: Chapter 14
Before dawn, the army marches into battle, believing the French to be far ahead of them. They descend into the valley towards the ponds and lakes. The Russians blame the Germans, while up above the fog, Napoleon watches the mistake unfold. With a sign of his hand, he orders the action to begin.
5 Mar: Chapter 19
After ordering the cannon to fire on the dam, Napoleon surveys the dead and wounded on the battlefield. His face shines with self-satisfaction and pleasure. He describes Andrei’s fate as a “fine death” and delights in the courage of the wounded officers at the hospital. To Andrei, his voice is like the buzzing of a fly.
BOOK TWO
Book Two, Part Two
10 April: Chapter 19
Boris is at Tilsit to see the two emperors meet in the pavilion floating on the Niemen. The treaty of Tilsit ends the war, and France and Russia become allies.
12 April: Chapter 21
Napoleon bestows the Legion of Honour on the bravest Russian soldier. No, not Nikolai Rostov. A man called Lazarev, who is awarded a French pension for life.