Bleinheim: Battle for Europe

Bleinheim: Battle for Europe
Charles SpencerWeidenfeld and Nicholson
368 pages, $60
Volume 11, No. 38, March 8, 2006

WRITTEN by Charles Spencer, Oxford scholar and brother to Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, Blenheim: Battle for Europe is the story of how Spencer’s ancestor, John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, and the German Prince Eugène of Savoy stopped Louis XIV’s plans to control the whole of Western Europe.

The bloody reign of Louis, the Sun King, produced the expansion of France and the defeat of the Low Countries, culminating in a push to unseat the Habsburg Empire in the East. By 1704, the scene was set for a climactic battle, the outcome of which would decide the map of Europe.

Louis’ army had been undefeated in nearly 40 years and it looked invincible.
In command were the French Marshals Tallard and Marsin, allied to Maxmilian, the Elector of Bavaria. They commanded a combined standing army of more than 60,000 men.

Marlborough and Eugène’s armies were evenly numbered and on August 13, 1704, the scene was set. The two armies clashed north-west of the German town of Blenheim.
The day’s combat saw Marlborough victorious and Europe saved from conquest. The Battle of Blenheim changed the course of history.

The book is very well written and enjoyable to read, but lacks a map showing the battle positions – an unfortunate omission.
Illustrated with 19 photographs of key protagonists in the centrepiece, the hardcover book is printed on quality paper.

A good read if you are interested in history and European affairs. Recommended.

– Air-Cdre Mark Lax.
Volume 11, No. 38, March 8, 2006

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