Each era makes its own adjustments to people's habits. Such changes have been particularly rapid over the past few decades. First of all, this is due to the constant lack of time, which makes us abandon many types of leisure activities. In particular, many have to deprive themselves of the pleasure of reading fiction, since they cannot afford to spend hours studying the description of the landscape or room, against which the plot of the work develops. For such eternally busy lovers of novels, short stories and short stories, audio books and so-called briefs were invented. Below you will find a summary of Zweig's “Irrevocable Moment”.
A few words about the cycle “Starry clock of humanity”
One of the best novelists of the beginning of the 20th century - Stefan Zweig - wrote many bright works that have been read by more than one generation. In 1927, he created the legendary “Starry Clock of Humanity” cycle, in which he spoke about the turning events in history and the personal feat of people who literally changed the world.
The first short story, “The Genius of One Night,” is dedicated to Rouge de Lilé, who created the Marseillaise, which became the anthem of France and made its worldly famous author unremarkable. The second group of stories, entitled “The Irreversible Moment”, a brief summary of the chapters, see below, is devoted to the Battle of Waterloo. The collection also found the history of the development of California, which is a description of the finest hour of Johann August Zuter, which marked the beginning of the Gold Rush. The fourth group of short stories is a story about those who fought for the palm in the conquest of the South Pole and died after being defeated.
Here is such a mosaic, consisting of stories of people between whom there were thousands of kilometers and tens and even hundreds of years, sorted into chapters!
The Irreversible Momentum Book: The Main Character
All the characters in the cycle of short stories “The Starry Clock of Humanity” are real historical figures. Although the “Irrevocable Instant” refers to the Battle of Waterloo, whose heroes were Napoleon, Marshal Ney, and Field Marshals Wellington and Blucher, Zweig brought Emmanuel Pear to the forefront.
This aristocrat began military service at the age of 14, and at the very beginning of the French Revolution he renounced the title of Marquis and supported the Republicans. Later, he participated in all the battles of Napoleon, including the Battle of Borodino. By the time of the events described in the series of short stories “The Irreversible Moment” (for a brief summary see below), he, being appointed Louis the Eighteenth Inspector General of Horse Rangers and Light Lancers, went over to the side of the emperor and assumed command of the 7th Corps and the Alpine the army.
The Irreversible Moment: A Summary of the First Part
“Pears” - this is how Zweig entitled the opening chapter of “Irrevocable Moment”. She follows after a short introduction. In it, the writer writes about the joke that Fortune can play by transferring for a moment the thread of fate into the hands of insignificance and making him the arbiter of the fate of millions.
The story begins with a description of the situation in which the "captured captive lion" found himself - Napoleon, on which the allied regiments are approaching from all sides. The emperor clashes with the Prussians at Linyi and wins the last victory in his life. She inspires him and inspires confidence in his faithful soldiers, who continue to believe in the happy star of Napoleon.
Now the emperor needs to defeat Wellington. He is careful and transfers part of his already small army under the command of Pears. The latter receives an order at all costs to prevent the British from uniting with the remnants of the Prussian army of Blucher. Napoleon considers Pears an honest and faithful warrior, but he is well aware that he is not a hero and not a strategist.
Chapter Two: “A Night in Kayu”
Summary of “The Irrevocable Moment” Zweig cannot convey the style of the great novelist, therefore it is worth reading the work in full. However, for those who prefer a brief, let's continue. So, the second chapter, entitled “Night in Kayu” begins with a description of the army of Napoleon, which moves at night in the pouring rain. Finally, at 5 a.m., the emperor decides to fight Wellington, all the more so since the Pears inform that the Prussians are retreating and promises to continue their pursuit.
Chapter Three: “Morning at Waterloo”
The summary of The Irreversible Momentum cannot convey the whole drama of what Zweig describes.
Chapter Three talks about the day that put the last point in Napoleon's military career. At 9 a.m. he arranges a show for his troops. By one o'clock in the afternoon both the English and the French had already exhausted themselves. Both armies understand that reinforcements will decide the outcome of the battle, and the whole question is who will arrive on the battlefield first - Blucher or Pears.
Chapter four
The work of Stefan Zweig “The Irreversible Moment” (for a brief summary see below) culminates in the chapter “The Pear Error”. The writer describes how soldiers and officers sent to pursue the Prussian army hear the sounds of battle. Their commanders demand that the Pear move to the rescue. But he, as always, is faithful to the order and answers that he cannot violate the order of the emperor. Then General Gerard demands that he be allowed to take part of the army and move to the battlefield.
Chapter five
The chapters of the book “The Irreversible Moment” are easy to trace how events unfolded on the most unlucky day in the life of the great Napoleon. The climax of history is described in the chapter “The Decisive Moment in World History”. Pears rejects the proposal of General Gerard and thereby once and for all closes the page of history, the main character of which was the Corsican Bonaparte.
Soon it turns out that the Prussians have long turned towards Waterloo, where Napoleon’s army is fighting a desperate battle with a predetermined outcome.
Chapter six
In the afternoon, the emperor sees approaching troops on the horizon. His last hope flickers that it’s Pears, but it’s Blucher. Then Napoleon throws the old guard into battle, which is loyal to him and meekly goes to the assault on the heights, where Wellington’s main forces entrenched.
Chapter Seven: The denouement
But nothing can save the emperor. In a powerful stream, Blucher's army pressured the French, and they retreat, throwing everything and everyone. The emperor himself is forced to flee and hide in a village tavern.
Chapter Eight: “Return to Routine”
While the whole world mourns defeat or celebrates victory, only Pears are in the dark. He finally finds a small Prussian detachment and wins a futile victory. Pears learns of the defeat at Waterloo and, left without a commander, begins to make the right decisions. He manages to withdraw all his soldiers from the encirclement without loss in order to save the army for the emperor. However, Napoleon will never stand at the head of the army ...
Now you know what Zweig's “The Irrevocable Moment” is about. A brief summary (briefs) of this series of short stories will certainly interest you, and you will want to get acquainted with the full contents of this book.