The Amiens Truce: Britain and Bonaparte 1801-1803

“In 1801 Britain and Bonaparte made an armistice, which became the Treaty of Amiens in March 1802. In the brief period of peace which followed, British attitudes underwent a major change, so that when war began again in May 1803 there was little or no dissent from the view that the war had to be fought to a finish and Bonaparte's power destroyed. This was partly the result of Bonaparte's underhand methods during negotiations; but it was also due to the conclusion reached by the many British visitors to France during the interval of peace that Bonaparte was extremely dangerous, anger at his stealthy political advances in Europe and America, and outrage at his detention and imprisonment of British civilians when war began again. The attitude of the British government headed by Henry Addington, and in particular the diplomatic methods of the Foreign Secretary Lord Hawkesbury (later the Prime Minister Lord Liverpool) were decisive in countering Bonaparte's methods; they receive their due in this first detailed examination of events, based on original materials.”
 
What is particularly interesting about this book is the fast pace and yet detailed discussion of the diplomatic twists and turns. Although perhaps a little to ready to paint Bonaparte as devious in his attempt to avoid being 'dazzled' by the bright-shining First Consul (one man's devious is another's deft!), the reader is given a clear view of the British point of view, particularly of the 7 years of British military failure during the French Revolutionary period. The author makes very good use of the publication, Parliamentary History.
P.H.
 
John D. Grainger is a historian with publications in Hellenistic, Roman and modern periods