The War of 1812

8 hrs. 54 min.

Miscellaneous

Language Russian

Author Sergey Nechaev

Narrator Evgeny Lebedev

Description

The Patriotic War of 1812, in the public imagination, appears as the apotheosis of the courage of all subjects of the Russian Empire—from celebrated commanders to peasants who joined partisan detachments. But this story also has another perspective: rivalries and confrontation among the upper echelons of the army, as well as a high-profile diplomatic history sparked by the actions of a Russian agent who managed to infiltrate the French court and build there a broad network of informants.

The war of 1812 is generally regarded as a standard-bearer of a truly nationwide feat—from the general staff to village partisans. Yet behind the familiar heroic image lie less well-known details: behind-the-scenes intrigues in the General Staff that complicated command of the troops, and a diplomatic scandal involving a Russian scout at the French court, who deployed an intelligence network within the circles of power… Another significant factor in Russia’s victory was that, while planning and conducting the “Russian campaign,” Napoleon was simultaneously drawn into a war on the Iberian Peninsula—where, for the first time, he encountered fierce resistance from the local population.

Can the Battle of Borodino be considered a triumph of Russian arms? Who was truly spared—or not spared—by “General Frost”: the Russians or the French? Why did Kutuzov feel hostility toward Admiral Chichagov? Answers to these and other questions are provided in our new edition about the most severe ordeal Russia faced in the 19th century.

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