Napoleon's deep penetration of Russia in 1812 was perhaps his biggest mistake. For the Allies, the campaign was the turning point of the war against him - both physically and morally - for Napoleon had shown himself to be not only invincible, but capable of a colossal blunder. As an adventure in combat, the retreat from Moscow was to have no rival in size and scope till 102 years later, when Von Moltke's army of a million German's developed its historic right hook at Paris in 1914. The campaign was a gamble on which Napoleon staked everything acquired since his first victories in Italy, sixteen years before. -- From the book jacket.