Book excerpt: The battle of Ligny saw the Prussians pushed back by the French Army in what was to be Napoleon's last battlefield victory. This title represents the second instalment of the captivating study of the Waterloo campaign, one of the defining events in European history. In particular it focuses on the desperate struggle for Ligny. With Wellington unable to assist his Prussian allies in time, the Prussian centre was overwhelmed as night began to fall, although the flanks were able to retreat in some semblance of order. Stunning illustrations augment the drama of the fighting in this area while considerable research drawn from previously unpublished first-hand accounts provide a detailed and engaging resource for all aspects of the battle.