Product Description

Richard Holmes, military historian and broadcaster, here tells the story of Britain's greatest-ever soldier, the man who posed the most serious threat to Napoleon. Holmes charts the Duke of Wellington's stellar military career from India to Europe, and in the process, rediscovers the reasons Queen Victoria called him the greatest man the 19th century had produced. Combining his historical analysis with a semi-biographical examination of Wellington, Holmes illustrates the rapid evolution in military and political thinking of the time. Wellington is a brilliant figure, idealistic in politics, cynical in love, a wit, a beau, a man of enormous courage often sickened by war. As Richard Holmes charts his progress from a shy, indolent boy to commander-in-chief of the allied forces, he also exposes the Iron Duke as a philanderer, and a man who sometimes despised the men that he led, and was not always in control of his soldiers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #147934 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
We associate Wellington so much with the battle of Waterloo that it's easy to forget that, before the battle, he had had a long military career already and that, after it, he had an even longer career as politician, prime minister and pillar of the establishment. Richard Holmes's admirably clear and succinct biography of the Duke has a chapter on his youth as a slightly awkward loner from the Anglo-Irish nobility and a concluding chapter which races swiftly through the 37 years of his post-Waterloo life. However the bulk of the book, unsurprisingly, is given over to a description and analysis of his military exploits.

As viewers of his TV series and readers of his previous books will know, Holmes is a brilliant interpreter of battlefields and what took place on them. He has visited most of the sites of Wellington's battles, not only those in Europe but those in India where the young Arthur Wellesley, as he then was, gained his first experiences as a general. (Wellington himself, in later life, claimed that his finest military achievement was not Waterloo but the winning of the Battle of Assaye during the Maratha Wars in 1803.) He uses his knowledge of the battle sites and his familiarity with all the extensive literature on the Peninsular War and Waterloo to produce a vivid account of Wellington's string of successes as a general. As the quotes in this book from his writings and despatches show, Wellington had a gift for the striking phrase and for concise description of complicated events. It's a gift his biographer shares and Holmes has produced a very readable and enjoyable book. --Nick Rennison

Review
Renowned military historian Richard Holmes here turns his expertise to the story of the Duke of Wellington, a man regarded as Britain's 'greatest-ever soldier' in a beautiful book that serves as a companion to the lavish BBC series of the same name. The introduction pays tribute to Wellington, and reveals the huge impact he had on the author as a young boy. Acknowledging the fact that the Duke may not have always been good, Holmes defends him as being 'unquestionably great', and takes the reader back to his childhood days as Arthur Wesley, a member of the Protestant minority under siege in 18th-century Ireland. A far from ideal financial situation drove the family to England, where the young Arthur went to Eton as 'a shy young Irishman in England, an outsider'. Having dabbled in politics, he found himself in a British army smarting from defeat in America, and he returned from a disastrous military campaign in March 1795 all the wiser for having 'learnt what not to do'. The history of the times are expertly considered - from the development in weaponry to the enormous events unfolding across the continent of Europe - as they form a background to Wellington's life and his illustrious military career. But Holmes doesn't just discuss his role as a soldier; we also hear of his political idealism, his philandering and his skill with a well-placed pithy remark. Complete with maps, illustrations and colour plates, this book pretty much says all that needs to be said about Wellington, and very readably too. (Kirkus UK)

From the Publisher
THE IRON DUKE is a beautifully produced book, complete with stunning illustrations and colour plates.
As seen on the lavishly constructed 4 part BBC serial.

Customer Reviews

wellington made easy
This book definately deserves 5 stars in my opinion, but only if we take it for what it is; a good general history of the man and his life.
A comparison in thickness with Elizabeth Longford's two volume classic clearly indicates that Holmes' book can't be exhaustive, but this is in no way a criticism in itself. In fact I would say that it is one of the book's strongest points. Wellington, the Iron Duke is extremely readable, almost addictive in the way only a great novel can be, but without recourse to dumbing down. Holmes manages to recount the Duke's life and deeds both on and off the battle field with enough detail to inform, yet without becoming boring or pedantic. Here we see not only the Iron willed disciplinarian but also the man who cried when he saw the slaughter of Badajoz. He also endevors to give a more balanced assessment of the context in which Wellington lived and fought in battle and in parliament than has often been done (particulary with reference to the peninsula) and allows us to see how Wellington's experiences and background helped to shape his world view.
In short Richard Holmes seems to be that rare animal: an academic who can really write and communicate with readers. Wellington, The Iron Duke may not be adequate for hisorical researchers, but it's certainly an excellent and informative read for the rest of us with an interest in the man and his world.

A Great book about a Great Man
Richard Holmes should be applauded for this fantastic biography of Wellington.

He manages to expertly combine Wellington's military and personal history, with a pace that never slackens and holds the reader's attention throughout. With so many battles to describe Holmes could easily have bored or confused me, but he did not, and actually gave me a new interest in them. Holmes provides a balanced portrait of Wellington, describing both his talents and his faults. Holmes also provides beautifully written portraits of Wellington's peers, such as Richard Wellesley (Wellington's brother),and his wife, Kitty.

Wellington: The Iron Duke is an excellent companion to the television series of the same name, as it can go deeper into the events of Wellington's life than the three hour series.

Unfortunately, like Wellington himself, this book has some faults. With so much to describe, it cannot go into as much detail as I would have hoped for. But as a book to gain the reader's interest in a subject, and as a precursor to wider reading around it, I don't think that I shall ever see its equal.

Wellington
This is probably the best book on Wellington you are likely to read. It is clear to read and full of detail. It covers Wellingtons military career, as well as his relationships and public life. The author obviously admires Wellington, but not to the extent where he is totally biased and cannot give an objective view. This is a fascinating read about a great military leader. Recommended.