Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #455943 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Synopsis
The Peninsular War is often eclipsed by the spectacular individual battles by sea and land of the Napoleonic Wars, but it was the decisive struggle in which the Emperor's troops faced defeat for the first time. Michael Glover seeks to give the basic skeleton of facts and to flesh it out with first-hand accounts of what it was like to march and fight, to eat and be wounded, to command and be commanded at the start of the 19th century. Stress is laid on the technological limitations of warfare during this period, when all the movement was limited to the pace of a heavily-laden infantryman moving across country.

Customer Reviews

Excellent summary of major decisive campaign
I find that the Peninsular War is one of those where authors sort of assume you know what happened, a bit like the American War of Independence. Sadly until reading this book, I didn't have much of an idea.

That is why I was delighted to get this reprint, which canters through the war and shows why Wellington was such a good general.

The text is clear and well-written and studded with maps.

The decisions of Napoleon (basically bad at every turn) are sharply criticised and there is no misty-eyed romanticism about Bonaparte as afflicts other writers.

The bearing of victories like Salamanca and Vitoria on the fighting in the Eastern theatre is also made clear. The Peninsula was no sideshow - it was one of the key drivers of the anti-Bonaparte alliance.

This book reminds me of Nigel Bagnall's book on the Punic Wars - Spain again - in it's no nonsense, yet analytical approach. It is not simply a narrative. It explains why the British, Spanish and Portuguese were triumphant.

A perfect introduction to the Peninsula War. If only someone would tell me a similar volume for the Ajmerican War of Independence.

Glover's Peninsular war, get it 'cause it's good!
This book is superb. Clear, concise, detailed, authoritative, all those things you want to hear. Don't waist time listening to me, it's a must have history from the British perspective. Quite stirring when the 57th get plastered at Albuera I'll say. Definitely one of the best I have read on this subject area. Can't believe you can pick it up so cheaply as it is so superior to much more expensive works. If you are a Peninsular era fan get it, you certainly won't be disappointed.

Wellington in Spain
A very readable account of the Peninsular War from 1807 to 1814. I enjoyed it as a non-specialist reader but there are over 50 pages of references at the end for warfare specialists. There are lots of maps to help understand the battles and a careful appreciation of the constraints in fighting this war. Recommended as a good starting point to understanding this episode.