A Reasoned Examination of the Properties of the Three Arms - Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery: A Treatise on Lessons from the Napoleonic Wars (1832) (History of Wargaming Project: History)

Discover the first-ever English translation of General Nikolai Okunev’s landmark study of Napoleonic warfare — a rare tactical manual written by a veteran of the wars themselves.

Originally published in the early nineteenth century, Examen raisonné des propriétés des trois armes is one of the most important yet least accessible works on Napoleonic tactics, combined arms warfare, and the battlefield use of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Long recognised on the Continent as a foundational text in military science, it has never before been available to English readers.

Drawing on his direct experience in the Napoleonic Wars, Okunev analyses how each arm of service functions in combat and, crucially, how they must operate together to achieve victory. His clear, systematic guidelines reveal the realities of tactical-level Napoleonic warfare—from infantry formations and cavalry shock action to artillery deployment and battlefield coordination.
This edition includes:

• A faithful English translation of Okunev’s complete treatise
• Detailed explanations of Napoleonic battlefield tactics
• Insights into his views on training the Napoleonic soldier
• Contextual commentary highlighting the work’s influence on nineteenth‑century military thought

Whether you are a military historian, Napoleonic wargamer, reenactor, or simply fascinated by the art of war, this book offers a rare window into how battles were actually fought and won during the age of Napoleon — written by someone who stood on those battlefields.