Hi there, first time poster here.
I would like to hear your recommendations on an all encompassing (as much as possible), broad and detailed book on Military History for the Napoleonic Wars.
I suspect this question has been asked before, but I couldn't something that was specifically related. I have also skimmed through the [recommended reads] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books/europe#wiki_the_french_revolution_.26_the_napoleonic_wars). They all seem too centered around the French Army. I know it's a long shot, but I am looking for something like this (absolutely superb book btw), but for the appropriate time.
Something that gives me general tactics, standard army composition, interesting/unique units or specific areas of expertise for each (or at least more than one) of the participating armies. Not so interested in things like individual studies on Austerlitz, Waterloo, and the like, or biographies of Lord SoAndSo.
Extra: I started watching the series Sharpe with my girlfriend and I realized that all I know is "infantry forms in square when surrounded by cavalry, thus becoming great target practice for artillery, and that they can be broken" :)
Welcome to this wonderful world.
Let me preface this by stating, if you want good history written by professional historians - that is those attached to Faculty - you are in for an expensive time.
The first book I would start of with is [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Napoleonic-Wars-Essential-Bibliography/dp/1597972096).
After you have read this you are going to have to ask yourself, 'Do I want to study the war and its effects on the society, economics, politics, and culture of the era or am I more interested in the soldiers, weapons, tactics, and operations of the time?'
Karen Hagemann, one of the finest historians of this era currently practicing argues that, 'Studies that take the cultural, social, and “everyday life” dimension of warfare seriously provide a better understanding of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era.' If this is the case, and I agree it is, then you are in for a very expensive library as those works are only provided by professional historians, from university press destined predominantly for university libraries.
For now, to meet your specific interests read, The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon by Gunther Rothenberg.