The little known Battle of Znaim (10th-11th July 1809) was the last battle to be fought on the main front of the Franco-Austrian War. Cut short to make way for an armistice it effectively ended hostilities between France and Austria and is now uniquely considered to be an episode both of conflict and simultaneously of diplomacy.

The battle began as a result of the Austrian decision to stage a rearguard action near Znaim, prompting the Bavarians to unsuccessfully storm a nearby town. Battle ensued with the village changing hands a number of times over the course of the two days.

Jack Gill delves deep into the respective tactics of both sides as the two armies continually changed positions and strategies. His account dissects and investigates the dual aspects of the Battle of Znaim and explains the diplomatic decisions that resulted in the peace treaty which was signed at Schonbrunn Palace on 14th October 1809.

Gill’s book is an unrivaled analysis of the Battle of Znaim. Accessible, highly detailed and expertly crafted, it sheds new light on this fascinating moment in Napoleonic history.

"The book is exceptionally well-organized and crafted, with Gill's sparkling prose explaining events with a smooth mixture of novel-like heat and cool analysis."

"John Gill is the premier English-language expert on the War of 1809. His Thunder on the Danube trilogy is the best scholarly treatment of this middle war between the high watermarks of 1805 and 1807 and the disaster of 1812. Little known and forgotten in the Anglosphere, the War of 1809 was nevertheless brutal, remarkable, and possibly Napoleon’s greatest triumph during his stint as Emperor of France and de facto hegemon of Europe….  Znaim is a worthy single-volume study of the War of 1809 and its culminating peace on a dreary July day after months of fighting and blood-stained fields. There is a little bit of everything that a Napoleonic enthusiast, amateur, or general historical reader might wish for. Court politics. Brilliant maneuvers. Terrible battles. Roaring cannons. Individual courage. Politics."