Fusiliers
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"'... deeply researched, beautifully crafted and captivating.' Praise for Rifles, Frank McLynn, Daily Express"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Spectator
Like all the best military historians, Urban has a knack of finding a perfect balance between telling personal detail and the broader historical perspective.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Centred on the elite 23rd (Royal Welch) Fuziliers [sic] during the American War of Independence, this book also gives an excellent account of many of the other units involved, since the light and grenadier companies of regiments were often hived off and brigaded with those of other units.
As we have come to expect from Urban, the battle accounts are both accurate and stirring, but I particulary like the way he draws on personal accounts of the war from both men and officers of both sides, many of them never published before, making it a highly engaging read. I learned a great deal about commanders such as Howe and Cornwallis, Balfour and Calvert, and the role they played not only in the fortunes of the 23rd Foot, but also in the political and military heirarchy of the time.
Readers new to the period may be surprised to learn that although the war was lost, the British and their allies suffered few actual defeats in the field; on the contrary, it was the remarkable ability of the Americans to recover from defeat after defeat that ultimately brought them victory.
The AWI has always aroused passions on both sides of the Atlantic, and whilst he concentrates on the fighting and campaigning of this conflict, Urban does not shy away from examining the tragic atrocities committed by both sides that served to polarise opinion during the war. This is a sober and refreshing antidote to some of the one-sided episodes in movies such as Mel Gibson's "The Patriot".
Overall, a thorough and humane examination of Great Britain's first major humiliation on the world stage, and the effects it had on the army the British are still justifiably proud of today. Highly recommended.
As we have come to expect from Urban, the battle accounts are both accurate and stirring, but I particulary like the way he draws on personal accounts of the war from both men and officers of both sides, many of them never published before, making it a highly engaging read. I learned a great deal about commanders such as Howe and Cornwallis, Balfour and Calvert, and the role they played not only in the fortunes of the 23rd Foot, but also in the political and military heirarchy of the time.
Readers new to the period may be surprised to learn that although the war was lost, the British and their allies suffered few actual defeats in the field; on the contrary, it was the remarkable ability of the Americans to recover from defeat after defeat that ultimately brought them victory.
The AWI has always aroused passions on both sides of the Atlantic, and whilst he concentrates on the fighting and campaigning of this conflict, Urban does not shy away from examining the tragic atrocities committed by both sides that served to polarise opinion during the war. This is a sober and refreshing antidote to some of the one-sided episodes in movies such as Mel Gibson's "The Patriot".
Overall, a thorough and humane examination of Great Britain's first major humiliation on the world stage, and the effects it had on the army the British are still justifiably proud of today. Highly recommended.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author has a depth of knowledge of events which are enlightening and entertaining. Much effort appears to have gone into unearthing contemporary accounts giving a refreshing and unbiased view of events with a ring of truth about them unlike the standard texts which can be misleading generalisations. Well worth the money, not only for a gripping read as well as an historical record .
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mark Urban has sought to recreate his earlier success with 'Rifles' by following a single regiment through a war. In choosing the 23rd Regiment (Royal Welch Fusiliers), he has plumped on a unit that fought throughout the American War of Independence from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, and can therefore act as illustrative of the war as a whole. Unlike the 95th Rifles, however, the 23rd were a 'line' regiment with none of the glamour of 'special' troops, although much of the action surrounds their detached light company. And given the very fluid organization of the army it is easy to see problems trying to carry out a single regiment narrative thread. As his Royal Welch witnesses come and go, he has had to use eyewitnesses wherever he could get them; not all are Royal Welchmen, nor are they necessarily eyewitnesses to the actual events he is discussing.
Mr Urban's lack of military background and wider understanding is sometimes apparent. As Donald Graves has noted, his belief that Revolutionary War tactics were important in Europe is dubious, and he is unfairly harsh on David Dundas. The essential need to train the army on a common doctrine was not possible until the Duke of York became Commander-in-Chief, with the full weight of Royal authority behind him. If the correct solution was a fusion of the `German' and `American' schools, that was never possible given the stresses of service until Sir Ralph Abercromby got nearly two months to properly train his army in 1800-1 before Egypt. He was the first British commander to have that opportunity after the reserve of trained troops was dissipated in the West Indies in 1793-5.
Due to these reservations I was only going to give the book four stars, but as a former Royal Welchman myself I thought, 'How can I!' Because in all honesty, Mr Urban has written a very engaging book about the British army in the Revolutionary War, when there are not many others (Hugh Bicheno and Christopher Hibbert come to mind) to choose from. He has also done much to dissipate the many myths beloved by American authors, particularly concerning their own tactical effectiveness. This is the book's greatest strength; a unit level account of a forgotten period in the army's history when they were fighting a bad war in a bad place at a bad time, trying to carry on as professionally as possible.
Mr Urban's lack of military background and wider understanding is sometimes apparent. As Donald Graves has noted, his belief that Revolutionary War tactics were important in Europe is dubious, and he is unfairly harsh on David Dundas. The essential need to train the army on a common doctrine was not possible until the Duke of York became Commander-in-Chief, with the full weight of Royal authority behind him. If the correct solution was a fusion of the `German' and `American' schools, that was never possible given the stresses of service until Sir Ralph Abercromby got nearly two months to properly train his army in 1800-1 before Egypt. He was the first British commander to have that opportunity after the reserve of trained troops was dissipated in the West Indies in 1793-5.
Due to these reservations I was only going to give the book four stars, but as a former Royal Welchman myself I thought, 'How can I!' Because in all honesty, Mr Urban has written a very engaging book about the British army in the Revolutionary War, when there are not many others (Hugh Bicheno and Christopher Hibbert come to mind) to choose from. He has also done much to dissipate the many myths beloved by American authors, particularly concerning their own tactical effectiveness. This is the book's greatest strength; a unit level account of a forgotten period in the army's history when they were fighting a bad war in a bad place at a bad time, trying to carry on as professionally as possible.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Book!
As a Military historian that had limited knowledge of the American War of Independance I could'nt wait to read this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ScottishWarrior
Soldiers's perspective
I had previously read Mark Urban's 'Generals'(gift) and enjoyed same. 'Fusiliers' was then recommended by a friend as a 'cracking read'. Read more
Published 4 months ago by William Atkinson
Superb reference guide as well as a novel
What an enjoyable read, a terrific factual portrayal of the American War of Independance or what we refer to as the American Revolution. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jay Dee
Wonderful History of the American Revolutionary War
I am reviewing the American edition "Fusiliers - The Saga of a British Redcoat Regiment in the American Revolution" which appears to be the same as this book. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Dean S. Maclaughlin
British Army: American Tour 1776-83
The American War of Independence is a rich source for historical debate. How might the rebels have been defeated? How might the Crown ever have thought it could win? Read more
Published 21 months ago by Charles Vasey
Strange mix
I found this book to be an enjoyable read but a strange mix of themes. The concluding chapter on military reform bears little relevence to the 23rd and the links drawn are... Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2010 by Brendan T. Mckenna
A FANTASTIC READ
MOST BOOKS ABOUT THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE TEND TO BE BIASED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - HOWEVER THIS ONE IS AN EXEPTION. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by JACKHAMMER
Fusiliers - Explodes the Myths.
Fusiliers is a well researched even handed account of the American War of Independence. It does so much to explode the myths and fanciful notions many books and films of the... Read more
Published on 25 May 2009 by Mr. L. J. Greenwood
Disjointed and unfortunatly lacking
Seeing as there are very few easily accessible books with a balanced view on the American War of Independence this title really does attract, as the way in which Urban attempts to... Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by G. W. Mclean
A message for all aspiring officers...
I'm not sure whether Urban truly intended to write a narrative history that not only sets right many of the injustices of much of the scholarship on this era, as well as comment on... Read more
Published on 8 July 2008 by Chinese Gordon
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