“War was always uncertain. It could go one way or the other, simply because someone mucked up or took some bold brave risk for glory’s sake…Sickness could rip through the ranks. Alliances could collapse. Commanders could die. Heavy snow or rain could fall…Sometimes orders are only there to be disobeyed.”

In the Cathedral of Notre Dame on December 2, 1804, Napoleon had “the audacity” to crown himself Napoleon I, Emperor of the French.” To his credit, he was “a magnificent General and tactical genius…the most extraordinary charisma to lead armies over mountains…to fight and die for him in the heat of the desert and the icy wilderness of Poland and Prussia." He was a short, stout man in a green coat, hat with a cockade who was “famous for his memory for facts and faces…(could) recognize many of the ordinary troops who had served under him.” A frustrated Napoleon did not have an heir. A divorce from Queen Josephine became necessary.

Michael Ney was a national hero but “was he on his way up, or was it all down from here?” He led highly trained regimented soldiers of the Grand Armee. He married well, to one of Queen Josephine’s ladies-in-waiting. Wife Aglae wanted to spend her life at court in Paris. Ney had joined the cavalry rising through the ranks to the designation of Marshal “by courage and cunning in warfare.” His preference was being on horseback in the company of soldiers, planning invasions, reading maps and drilling his troops. “Fame was terrible, a burden. He only wanted glory.” His mistress, Ida was his confidant when it came to living life, the army and current affairs.

Sir Robert Wilson was a soldier-diplomat in His Majesty’s Service. His father was a court painter in the London Court of George III. He had been given a royal upbringing. “My father only portrayed the images of men who pretend to do great things. I always wanted to do great things, not just be an outsider.” Wilson had been in Egypt embedded with the British Army during Napoleon’s campaign. The acts committed by “the tyrant” were recorded in the tome he had since authored. “Your Majesty I am going to kill or capture Napoleon Bonaparte…The anticipation of confronting Bonaparte kept Wilson’s mind concentrated, his blood pumping.”

Michael Bruce was an Etonian playboy. His father was a tea merchant and important banker in London. Bruce arrived in Sweden armed with his letter of credit. His intention was to “broaden his horizons” with travel until the dust from war settles…Damn Bonaparte’s interfering with his life’s plan…Bonaparte’s power over Europe makes it unsafe, the French Army seems to be everywhere.” Bruce would go south to Spain, but unfortunately, war had come to Madrid. He was just experiencing his first taste of freedom but now was a civilian caught up in the war. “Why had Bonaparte come from Paris to spoil (his) fun and adventures?” Spain seemed suddenly dark and forbidding.

At every turn frustration and deprivation abounded. Marshal Ney’s nemesis, Marshal Soult plotted behind his back by reporting to Napoleon. Soult’s men pilfered Ney’s winter supplies, food, clothing and ammunition stores. “To save an army, sometimes retreat was necessary. With nothing left to fight with- no stocks left, no ammunition…no food, no fodder. We can’t run at their guns…but the battle is not lost…We’ve beaten Bonaparte to a standstill,” Wilson’s letter to London implied that he had so nearly killed Bonaparte.

According to author Jean Baveystock, her work of historical fiction revolved around three men in a war, “her heroes”. Thoroughly researched, this novel “Glory Beckons” starts with Napoleon’s Coronation in 1804 ending prior to the 1812 Invasion into Russia. The second novel in the duology “Fleeting Glory” continues to highlight the Napoleonic Wars up to and including the aftermath of Waterloo in 1815. This read is a history buff’s delight!

Thank you Troubador Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.