Throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, France's most consistent enemy on land was the Austrian Empire. Austria's huge armies played a central part in the several coalitions against France, from the 1790s, to the Austerlitz campaign of 1805, the closely-balanced battles of 1809, and the final upsurge of 1813-14. Contrary to the myth of rigid aristocratic conformity, the generals who led those armies were as diverse in origin and character as their regiments - some were princes of the blood, and some ex-rankers promoted for talent and courage. This text gives concise but fact-packed accounts of the careers of more than 30 of these men, illustrated with portraits and meticulous colour plates.

Introduction - the composition and workings of the Austrian generalcy and staff · The princes and nobles: Archduke Charles - Archduke Ferdinand - Prince Hohenzollern-Hechingen - Prince Johannes Lichtenstein - Duke of Saxe-Teschen - Prince Schwarzenberg · The Westerners: Bellegarde - Frimont - Hiller - Wurmser · The Easteners: Alvinczy - Kray - Melas - Vukassovich · The Chiefs-of-Staff: Mack - Radetsky - Schmitt - Weyrother - Wimpffen - Zach · The Anglo-Irish: Brady - O'Reilly - Swinburn.