Waterloo - Napoleon vs The Duke of Wellington. The Lion of Waterloo Is ....

The Lion of Waterloo
At the Summit
The Duke of Wellington Prevailed

Waterloo, Memorial to Wellington, the Victor over Napoleon

June 18, 1815. Waterloo. Waterloo. This is an easy drive from a side-trip in Luxembourg. See//www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/waterloo. More at www.britishbattles.com/waterloo/waterloo-june-1815.

For all the hype, the battle was a pivot-point in history, the Anglo-Allies including the Prussians and their defeat of Napoleon. Good spot for children, with educational displays, movies, walks, panoramas. Also loud. Much cannon, shouting.

There are museums , panoramas and easily-walked areas. Here is a site that focuses on Napoleon specifically: //www.napoleonguide.com/battle_waterloo. See maps, biographical events.

What is behind any victory?

Weather.  With a muddy field, Napoleon had to hold back until noon for something big.  Communications.  Do you risk a horse and a man with a message, over hostile terrain, and what if the message does not get through.  Timing for an assault.  If  "Ney" had pressed sooner, the superior numbers of Napoleon's forces could have prevailed.  But Ney could not really do that, so the opportunity passed. Superior judgment calls on the part of Wellington, combined with this or that, and Napoleon just 100 days off his prior banishment -- he did what he could with his 1) rabble and 2) superior artillery. 

All is not merit to any victory.  Some look for destiny, but on the field, there is more than merit.  An invisible hand?  Whose.  Don't wait for it.   

For the best overview we have found, about tactics, luck, judgment calls about and who was available for leadership, see ://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/battle_waterloo_01.shtml