This work by a serving British Army Colonel is an illustrated analysis of the World War between Napoleon and the 6th Coalition in 1813 covering operations in Central Europe, Spain and North America. Riley examines the differences between successful alliances and coalitions comparing the long-term international relationships in alliances and the short term union of coalitions. He points out how, in view of the political and military situations today, it is now helpful and necessary to study coalition war as an historical phenomenon: what conditions bring coalitions together and what tend to pull them apart. What are the peculiar difficulties which distinguish them from the wars of nations or established alliances? This examination is made through the example of the momentous year of 1813. The study is a detailed look at these aspects of coalition warfighting and details the inner relationships of coalitions and the strategic advantages there are by referring to Napoleon's strategies in his campaigns.
Based on primary sources and several visits to the battlefields, this work gives an excellent picture of the political and diplomatic subtleties of the operational level and the difficulties of tactical field commanders in 1813 which adds to the picture of coalition war at the strategic level and thereby illuminating our understanding of the present.