"It was in the thousand eight hundred and twelfth year. The Great French Army was going to war on Russia under the command of the Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon wanted to conquer Russia and enslave its people... The French emperor, like all the conquerors, understood that until Russia was conquered, it was impossible to remain the master in Europe, it was impossible to become the master in the whole world. He knew that Russia was inhabited by a brave and numerous people; knew that the Russian army was strong, its soldiers were hardy and brave, its officers and generals knew how to fight. Napoleon was intensively preparing for war with Russia. To defeat the Russians, he gathered troops from all over France, from all European countries subject to him and created the Great French Army.... "Perhaps the best book for children about the Patriotic War of 1812, a formidable time in the history of Russia.