The Burning of Moscow

A comprehensive account of the fiery destruction of Moscow during the Napoleonic Wars—and the Russians’ motives for starting the blaze. As soon as Napoleon and his Grand Army entered Moscow, on 14 September 1812, the capital erupted in flames that eventually engulfed and destroyed two thirds of the city. The fiery devastation had a profound effect on the Grand Army, but for thirty-five days Napoleon stayed, making increasingly desperate efforts to achieve peace with Russia. Then, in October, alm