The Generals

The Generals follows the parallel rise of two military leaders who would become legendary opponents: Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington). The narrative alternates between their stories during a pivotal period in European history. Napoleon faces accusations in France but proves his worth through successful campaigns in Italy and Egypt. His military expertise becomes essential as France grapples with internal chaos and external threats, particularly from Britain. Meanwhile, Wellesley builds his reputation in India, leading British forces against local rulers. His campaigns help establish British control in the region and shape him into the commander who will later face Napoleon. The book examines how circumstances and character shaped these two commanders, highlighting the parallel development of their military genius and leadership styles as they move toward their eventual confrontation.

Readers describe The Generals as a solid military historical fiction focusing on Napoleon and Wellington's parallel early careers. Many note it works well as both a standalone novel and part of the Revolution series. Readers appreciated: - Detailed battle descriptions and tactics - Balance between the two protagonists - Historical accuracy and research - Fast-paced narrative style Common criticisms: - Too much switching between storylines disrupts flow - Military details sometimes overshadow character development - Some found Napoleon's portrayal overly negative Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Multiple readers noted the book serves as an accessible entry point to the Napoleonic era. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "Scarrow brings the period alive without getting bogged down in excessive historical minutiae." Several mentioned the dual narrative structure helped compare the commanders' contrasting leadership styles and personalities.

Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden. This historical novel chronicles the early life of Julius Caesar through military campaigns and political intrigue in ancient Rome.

The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield. The narrative follows Alexander the Great's armies as they face brutal warfare and harsh conditions during their campaign in Afghanistan.

Eagles at War by Ben Kane. This tale depicts the Roman legions' fight for survival during the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in Germania.

Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom. A Roman officer leads the defense of a frontier city against overwhelming Persian forces in this detailed military chronicle.

The Last Hour by Harry Sidebottom. The story tracks a Praetorian Guard's race against time through Rome to save the Emperor from assassination.

🔹 Napoleon and Wellington were born in the same year (1769), though they grew up in vastly different circumstances - Napoleon in Corsica and Wellington in Ireland. 🔹 Before becoming the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley was often mocked for his Irish background and initially struggled to be taken seriously in British high society. 🔹 During his Egyptian campaign, Napoleon brought along 167 scientists and scholars to study ancient Egyptian civilization, leading to groundbreaking discoveries including the Rosetta Stone. 🔹 Simon Scarrow, before becoming an author, taught history for many years and developed his detailed knowledge of Roman and Napoleonic warfare in the classroom. 🔹 Wellington's early campaigns in India proved crucial to his later success against Napoleon, as he developed innovative military tactics by adapting to fight in unfamiliar terrain and climate.