‘Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained’: The Battle of Waterloo - myth and reality

Few battles in history have caused as many controversies as the Battle of Waterloo. The historiography of the battle is rich and diverse in its treatment of events that marked the last days of the Napoleon’s Empire. The four books under review constitute useful additions to the literature thanks to their original and comprehensive deconstruction of myths that shroud the great battle. Critical of the existing literature, the four volumes under review remind the readers of the complexities of the art of war. Engaging with subjects such as strategic choices, tactical decisions, leadership, the role of intelligence collection, and events reconstruction, these four books present alternative narratives that elicit critical reflection on commonly accepted histories of the Battle of Waterloo. One theme consistently permeates these four contributions; the notion that uncertainty and chaos are the hallmarks of warfare. As Napoleon himself declared, ‘The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.’ On 18 June 1815, Napoleon was not the master of chaos. His last gamble ended with the end of his Empire and the birth of a British century of hegemony.