Synopsis
Philip Longworth's "The Art of Victory: The Life and Achievements of Field Marshal Suvorov, 1729-1800" presents a comprehensive biography of Alexander Suvorov, the renowned Russian military genius whose undefeated record rivaled that of Napoleon, though his legacy has faded in Western history outside Russia.
The book traces Suvorov's early life and formative years as a soldier, beginning with his upbringing in a military family and his initial experiments in command, where he developed innovative training methods emphasizing rigorous preparation, speed, and the bayonet over firearms, encapsulated in his famous maxims like "What is difficult in training will become easy in a battle" and "The bullet is a mad thing; only the bayonet knows what it is about."
Longworth details how Suvorov rose through the ranks during the reign of Catherine the Great, forging his reputation in campaigns against Polish rebels, Tatar tribesmen, and Ottoman forces, including decisive victories at Focșani and Rymnik, and the brutal siege of Izmail, where his forces stormed a heavily fortified position despite horrific casualties, showcasing his emphasis on initiative, endurance, and rapid maneuvers across vast terrains.
As Suvorov's legend grew, Longworth explores his frustrations with court politics and rivals like Potemkin, his exile and recall, and his pivotal role in suppressing the Polish revolt of 1794, notably the controversial storming of Warsaw's Praga suburb.
The narrative reaches its climax in the late 1790s with Suvorov's command of Austro-Russian forces during the French Revolutionary Wars, where he achieved stunning successes in Italy, defeating French armies led by Moreau at the Adda River, MacDonald at the Trebbia, and Joubert at Novi, effectively expelling French forces from the peninsula through bold, high-speed advances and coordinated assaults.
However, the book also covers the tragic Swiss campaign, where logistical failures by Austrian allies forced Suvorov to execute one of his most daring retreats over the Alps, saving his army from annihilation at places like the Devil's Bridge amid harsh conditions and betrayal.
Throughout, Longworth portrays Suvorov not just as a tactician obsessed with momentum and morale—drawing from his manual "The Science of Victory"—but as a complex figure whose eccentricities, patriotism, and unyielding drive made him a folk hero in Russia, later co-opted by Stalin, yet deserving of recognition for his independent brilliance in an era of imperial expansion and revolutionary upheaval.
The biography concludes with Suvorov's final years, his elevation to Generalissimo, and his enduring legacy as an undefeated commander who triumphed over diverse foes from Turks and Poles to French revolutionaries, all while reforming Russian military doctrine through practical leadership and philosophical insights on warfare.