Generals and Napoleon

John W. Viscardo
  • 4.9 (56)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Generals and Napoleon, presented by John Viscardo, a history podcast exploring the Napoleonic Wars, iconic commanders, battlefield strategy, and leadership lessons. Instagram: @andnapoleon X/Twitter: @andnapoleon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@generalsandnapoleon Patreon: patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon TikTok: tiktok.com/@andnapoleon

  1. MAY 13

    Episode 160 - Double episode! Generals La Bédoyère and Cambronne, with special guest Jonathan North

    In this episode, special guest & author Jonathan North explores the dramatic story of 2 of the most devoted French officers of the Napoleonic Wars: La Bedoyere and Cambronne La Bédoyère - From his early service in the Grande Armée to his pivotal role in the Emperor’s return during the Hundred Days, La Bédoyère risked everything for Napoleon. When France stood divided after the fall of the Empire, he made a fateful choice that would seal his destiny. Discover how La Bédoyère rallied troops to Napoleon in 1815, helped reignite the imperial cause, and stood by the Emperor during the final campaign that culminated at the Battle of Waterloo. After defeat, La Bédoyère refused to abandon his principles — and paid the ultimate price under the restored Bourbon monarchy. Was he reckless? Romantic? Or the purest symbol of Napoleonic loyalty? Cambronne - Did Pierre Cambronne really say, “The Guard dies but does not surrender” at the Battle of Waterloo — or was it something far more blunt? In this episode, we dive into the life and legend of one of the most famous officers of Imperial Guard. From his early service in the Revolutionary Wars to his rise within the elite Old Guard, Cambronne became forever linked to one of the most dramatic moments in military history. As the Grande Armée collapsed in 1815, Cambronne commanded a square of the Guard surrounded by Allied forces. What happened next has become myth: Did he defiantly proclaim that the Guard would die but never surrender? Or did he utter the single word — “M***e!” — that cemented his place in legend? X/Twitter: @andnapoleon jpnorth.co.uk

    47 min

  2. MAY 4

    Episode 159 - 🤍 30 things to love about the Napoleonic Era, with special guest Joshua Provan

    Step into the pages of history and explore 30 things we love about the Napoleonic Era—one of the most dramatic, influential, and larger-than-life periods in world history. From Napoleon’s genius to legendary marshals, epic battles, iconic uniforms, and earth-shaking political change, this era reshaped Europe forever. In this episode, author Joshua Provan and I will break down why the Napoleonic Era still captivates historians, gamers, readers, and military strategists today—from revolutionary tactics to unforgettable personalities like Ney, Davout, Wellington, and Murat. Whether it’s the thunder of artillery, the elegance of the uniforms, or the rise and fall of an emperor, there’s something here for every history fan. 📌 Perfect for fans of:Napoleonic historyMilitary historyGreat commanders & generalsEpic battles like Austerlitz, Waterloo, BorodinoStrategy, leadership, and warfare 👍 If you love history explained, Napoleon, or deep dives into the Napoleonic Wars, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite moment from the era in the comments! X/Twitter: @andnapoleon, @LandOfHistory

    1h 14m

  3. APR 26

    Episode 158 - General Wittgenstein, the Savior of St. Petersburg, with special guest Jimmy Chen

    General Wittgenstein: Russia’s “Savior of St. Petersburg” General Peter Wittgenstein was one of Imperial Russia’s most important commanders during the Napoleonic Wars, earning the nickname “The Savior of St. Petersburg” for stopping Napoleon’s advance in 1812. In this special guest, Jimmy Chen will explore Wittgenstein’s rise through the Russian army, his crucial victories at Kliastitsy and Polotsk, and his role in halting French momentum during the invasion of Russia. Often overshadowed by generals like Kutuzov and Bagration, Wittgenstein proved to be one of Russia’s most aggressive and effective field commanders. His actions on Napoleon’s northern flank protected Russia’s capital and helped turn the tide against the Grande Armée. Whether you’re a fan of Napoleon, Russian military history, or the decisive campaigns of 1812, this deep dive into General Wittgenstein reveals why he deserves far more recognition. 🔔 Subscribe for more Napoleonic history, battle breakdowns, and military biographies. Topics covered: Who was General Peter Wittgenstein? The 1812 invasion of Russia Battle of Kliastitsy First and Second Battles of Polotsk Russian generals vs Napoleon #NapoleonicWars #RussianArmy #GeneralWittgenstein #Napoleon1812 #BattleOfPolotsk #MilitaryHistory #HistoryExplained X/Twitter: @napoleonic_imp, @andnapoleon

    34 min

  4. APR 18

    Episode 157 - General Desaix, the "Just Sultan" of Napoleon's army, with special guest Charles Mackay

    General Louis Charles Antoine Desaix was one of Napoleon’s most brilliant and underrated commanders. Known as “the Just Sultan” for his integrity and calm leadership, Desaix played a crucial role in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleon’s early rise to power. From his campaigns in Germany to his legendary service in Egypt, Desaix earned a reputation for discipline, humanity, and battlefield brilliance. Special guest Charles Mackay explores Desaix’s military career, his close relationship with Napoleon, and his decisive actions at the Battle of Marengo (1800)—where his timely arrival helped secure victory for France, but cost him his life. Often compared to Marshal Davout for his reliability and tactical skill, Desaix was widely expected to become one of Napoleon’s greatest marshals had he lived longer. Learn why Napoleon mourned Desaix deeply, how his death shaped the Napoleonic Wars, and why many historians consider him one of the great “what-ifs” of Napoleonic history. 📌 Topics Covered:• General Desaix biography• French Revolutionary Wars• Napoleon and Desaix• Egyptian Campaign• Battle of Marengo explained• Napoleonic generals and marshals• The death of General Desaix 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Napoleonic history, great generals, and decisive battles. Bluesky: @bubblesvampire.bsky.social, @andnapoleon.bsky.social

    31 min

  5. APR 9

    Episode 156 - the Battles of Wavre & Plancenoit, the sideshows of Waterloo, with special guest Graeme Callister

    Battle of Wavre & Plancenoit (1815) | Napoleon’s Last Campaign & Grouchy’s Controversial Stand The Battle of Wavre, fought on 18–19 June 1815, was the final major engagement of Napoleon’s Hundred Days and one of the most controversial battles of the Napoleonic Wars. While Napoleon faced Wellington at Waterloo, Marshal Grouchy fought the Prussian III Corps under General Thielmann near the town of Wavre in Belgium. Special guest & author Graeme Callister will explore how Grouchy, obeying Napoleon’s orders to pursue the Prussians after Ligny, became locked in a fierce battle just miles away from Waterloo—unable to influence the decisive struggle that ended the Napoleonic Era. We break down the strategy, key moments, and fighting along the River Dyle, and explain why Wavre remains central to the debate over Grouchy’s responsibility for Napoleon’s final defeat. Was the Battle of Wavre a missed opportunity, or did Grouchy do exactly what he was ordered to do? And could events at Wavre have changed the outcome at Waterloo? Battle of Plancenoit (1815) | The Fight That Decided Waterloo’s Right Flank The Battle of Plancenoit, fought on 18 June 1815, was one of the most brutal and decisive struggles of the Battle of Waterloo. As Napoleon battled Wellington to the west, the fate of the French army hinged on this small Belgian village, where Prussian forces under General Bülow collided with Napoleon’s right flank. This episode explores how Plancenoit became the last major French defensive stand of the Napoleonic Wars. We break down the savage house-to-house fighting, the repeated Prussian assaults, and Napoleon’s dramatic decision to commit the Young Guard and Old Guard to hold the village. Despite moments of French success, the fall of Plancenoit opened the road to Napoleon’s final defeat.Was Plancenoit the true turning point of Waterloo? And could holding the village longer have changed the outcome of the battle? X/Twitter: @graemecallister, @andnapoleon

    38 min

  6. MAR 31

    Episode 155 - General Scharnhorst, the brain of the Prussian army, with special guest Ethan Soefje

    General Gerhard von Scharnhorst was the intellectual architect of Prussia’s military revival after its crushing 1806 defeat by Napoleon. In this video, special guest Ethan Soefje explores Scharnhorst’s revolutionary reforms, his role in transforming the Prussian Army, and how his ideas laid the foundations for modern warfare. Discover how Scharnhorst ended aristocratic privilege, introduced merit-based advancement, reorganized training and education, and helped create the Prussian General Staff. We also examine his collaboration with figures like Gneisenau, Clausewitz, and Blücher, and his contributions during the War of Liberation (1813) against Napoleon. From his early career as a theorist and officer to his fatal wounding at the Battle of Lützen, this video explains why Scharnhorst remains one of the most influential military reformers in European history. X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

    36 min

  7. MAR 21

    Episode 154 - Top 15 Surprise/Oh M***e moments of the Napoleonic Era, with a panel of experts

    Discover the Top 15 most surprising moments of the Napoleonic Era—from unexpected battlefield reversals to political shocks that reshaped Europe forever. ⚔️🌍 In this video, we explore the events, decisions, and outcomes that defied expectations during the age of Napoleon Bonaparte, including shocking victories, disastrous miscalculations, underestimated people, and turning points that historians still debate today. Whether you’re a longtime Napoleonic history fan or new to the era, these surprises reveal why the period from 1793 – 1815 remains one of the most dramatic in military history. Our experts include David Markham, Graeme Callister, Geraint Thatcher, and Zack White! We discuss: Battles Napoleon should have lost—but didn’t Decisions that unexpectedly changed the course of campaigns Political and strategic surprises that altered Europe’s balance of power How chance, weather, and human error shaped history Perfect for fans of military history, European history, strategy, and war documentaries, this countdown-style breakdown is ideal for classrooms, podcasts, and history enthusiasts alike. 📌 Watch to the end to see which surprises rank as #1—and why it still shocks historians today.

    2h 12m

  8. MAR 12

    Episode 153 - The Duke of Wellington’s political career, Napoleon’s nemesis in power, with special guest Marcus Cribb

    The Duke of Wellington wasn’t just the man who defeated Napoleon — he was also one of Britain’s most influential political leaders of the era. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb examines Arthur Wellesley’s political career, including his time as Prime Minister, his role in shaping Britain after the Napoleonic Wars, and his controversial decision to support Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Discover how Wellington transitioned from battlefield command to high politics, faced public unrest, and left a lasting mark on 19th-century British government. We also discuss his later years and his funeral, one of the largest in British history. Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, British politics, and Waterloo, this video reveals the statesman behind the soldier. X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon

    38 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Generals and Napoleon, presented by John Viscardo, a history podcast exploring the Napoleonic Wars, iconic commanders, battlefield strategy, and leadership lessons. Instagram: @andnapoleon X/Twitter: @andnapoleon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@generalsandnapoleon Patreon: patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon TikTok: tiktok.com/@andnapoleon

Information

  • Creator
    John W. Viscardo
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John W. Viscardo
  • Show Website
    Generals and Napoleon

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