Dear Bernard,

When I first heard you were writing a book on Waterloo I thought not another one I have read them all. I was wrong I liked the fact that there was a Mainwaring spoiling for a fight I was waiting for a Corporal Jones”They don’t like it up em!” Seriously I have never understood why Napoleon left his Army in the hands of Ney.  I can only think that when Ney blocked Napoleon’s path during the hundred days he was offered a senior command to change sides. My believe is that Napoleon was dying years of campaigning had taken their toll. Yes I know he died 6 years later, but the Napoleon of Austerlitz would have  taken more active part at Waterloo. Wellington was completely dismissed by Napoleon. So he did not listen to the advice his generals were giving him. I know if Napoleon had died mid campaign then the French would have gone home, but if Wellington had been killed during the four days then the Napoleonic wars would have gone on for another 10 years.

Andrew