Waterloo was the climax of almost twenty years of war in Europe. It dramatically ended Napoleon's dream of a lasting empire. Through the skillful use of original source material, noted historian Hibbert recreates the events and drama surrounding the famous battle. Hibbert discusses Napoleon and his rise to power, examines Wellington and the allied armies, and gives a step-by-step reconstruction of the battle and its aftermath. Waterloo includes vignettes depicting: Napoleon as a young boy in Corsica unable to delegate responsibility to others; Wellington and the Prussian army; and Napoleon's efforts to create and promote his personal legend even while incarcerated on the island of St. Helena.