Napoleon at Waterloo: The Battle for Europe

Students will appreciate this fine history title, which drops the viewer straight into the world of June 18, 1815—the fateful day that the Battle of Waterloo was fought between the French Emperor Napoleon and the allied Prussian and English forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington. Following an ultra-dramatic opening montage (“At stake: all of Europe”), the fast-paced Napoleon at Waterloo introduces key players and sets the historical context, before taking viewers hour by hour through the battle's main events. Featuring dramatic reenactments drawn from a professional production (re-edited for classroom use, with no overt blood or violence, despite the subject matter), Napoleon at Waterloo interweaves excellent narration with breathtaking CGI animation that nicely illustrates how the strategies and tactics of early 19th-century European warfare were employed. Correlated to state and national World History curriculum standards, this is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)