The Officer's Manual: Napoleon's Maxims of War

"The Officer's Manual: Napoleon's Maxims of War" by Emperor of the French Napoleon I is a military treatise written in the early 19th century. This work serves as a compilation of strategic principles and timeless maxims derived from Napoleon’s vast military experience, aiming to guide officers in the art of warfare. The manual encapsulates the essence of military strategy, focusing on lessons from notable military campaigns that illustrate these principles. The beginning of the manual introduces the reader to its structure and intent, first presenting a recommendation from Winfield Scott, who endorses the republishing of the work as a critical resource for military officers in America. Following this, the publisher outlines the aim of providing a collection of maxims, each illustrated by historical examples from campaigns led by notable military leaders, including Napoleon himself. The opening section highlights the significance of understanding the principles of warfare to advance knowledge and improvement for aspiring military leaders, setting the tone for a detailed examination of tactical wisdom throughout the text. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Napoleon Bonaparte, later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military officer and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led a series of successful campaigns across Europe during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1796 to 1815. He was the leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, then of the French Empire as Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1814, and briefly again in 1815.