General Gerhard von Scharnhorst was the intellectual architect of Prussia’s military revival after its crushing 1806 defeat by Napoleon. In this video, special guest Ethan Soefje explores Scharnhorst’s revolutionary reforms, his role in transforming the Prussian Army, and how his ideas laid the foundations for modern warfare.

Discover how Scharnhorst ended aristocratic privilege, introduced merit-based advancement, reorganized training and education, and helped create the Prussian General Staff. We also examine his collaboration with figures like Gneisenau, Clausewitz, and Blücher, and his contributions during the War of Liberation (1813) against Napoleon.

From his early career as a theorist and officer to his fatal wounding at the Battle of Lützen, this video explains why Scharnhorst remains one of the most influential military reformers in European history.

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

Discover the Top 15 most surprising moments of the Napoleonic Era—from unexpected battlefield reversals to political shocks that reshaped Europe forever. ⚔️🌍

In this video, we explore the events, decisions, and outcomes that defied expectations during the age of Napoleon Bonaparte, including shocking victories, disastrous miscalculations, underestimated people, and turning points that historians still debate today. Whether you’re a longtime Napoleonic history fan or new to the era, these surprises reveal why the period from 1793 – 1815 remains one of the most dramatic in military history.

Our experts include David Markham, Graeme Callister, Geraint Thatcher, and Zack White! We discuss:

• Battles Napoleon should have lost—but didn’t

• Decisions that unexpectedly changed the course of campaigns

• Political and strategic surprises that altered Europe’s balance of power

• How chance, weather, and human error shaped history

Perfect for fans of military history, European history, strategy, and war documentaries, this countdown-style breakdown is ideal for classrooms, podcasts, and history enthusiasts alike.

📌 Watch to the end to see which surprises rank as #1—and why it still shocks historians today.

The Duke of Wellington wasn’t just the man who defeated Napoleon — he was also one of Britain’s most influential political leaders of the era.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb examines Arthur Wellesley’s political career, including his time as Prime Minister, his role in shaping Britain after the Napoleonic Wars, and his controversial decision to support Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Discover how Wellington transitioned from battlefield command to high politics, faced public unrest, and left a lasting mark on 19th-century British government.

We also discuss his later years and his funeral, one of the largest in British history.

Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, British politics, and Waterloo, this video reveals the statesman behind the soldier.

X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon