- Paperback
- Publisher: Stackpole Books (1994)
- ASIN: B0016LV5DI
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A remarkable book. A huge wealth of material, and references that I have never come across before, and the nature of the warfare itself, make the going a bit heavy from time to time. However, the intrigues and downright bitchiness of the French high command (why Massena did not pack Ney and Junot off back to France is beyond me) and the day to day machinations of trying to get supplies delivered reliably to the right bits of the armies make for fascinating reading.
Case in point - Massena arrives at the (French) siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, takes a quick look at the job Ney's VI Corps is making of the siege, and immediately introduces his own chief artillery officer and engineer, to replace Ney's, and changes the plan. Ney responds by carrying out the orders in the most bovine possible way, and writes to Marshal Berthier, Napoleon's Chief of Staff, to complain that Massena's orders are doomed to failure. Meanwhile, Junot, with the VIII Corps, is instructed to cover Ney's operations against possible attack from the Anglo-Portuguese army, but avoids doing so, being aware that prompt compliance might increase Ney's chances of success and personal glory.
However, this is definitely not a soap opera - it is a very scholarly and thorough work on a little-covered aspect of the Peninsular War. As I find increasingly, American writers seem to be able to present this sort of historic material in a dispassionate and complete manner which patriotic traditions and, let's face it, pride, make it difficult for French and British authors to achieve.
Very strongly recommended.
Case in point - Massena arrives at the (French) siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, takes a quick look at the job Ney's VI Corps is making of the siege, and immediately introduces his own chief artillery officer and engineer, to replace Ney's, and changes the plan. Ney responds by carrying out the orders in the most bovine possible way, and writes to Marshal Berthier, Napoleon's Chief of Staff, to complain that Massena's orders are doomed to failure. Meanwhile, Junot, with the VIII Corps, is instructed to cover Ney's operations against possible attack from the Anglo-Portuguese army, but avoids doing so, being aware that prompt compliance might increase Ney's chances of success and personal glory.
However, this is definitely not a soap opera - it is a very scholarly and thorough work on a little-covered aspect of the Peninsular War. As I find increasingly, American writers seem to be able to present this sort of historic material in a dispassionate and complete manner which patriotic traditions and, let's face it, pride, make it difficult for French and British authors to achieve.
Very strongly recommended.
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