- Hardcover: 354 pages
- Publisher: Faber and Faber; 1st edition (17 Sep 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0571205135
- ISBN-13: 978-0571205134
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 17.2 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
519,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #55 in Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Spain
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Mark Urban's The Man who Broke Napoleon's Codes is, strictly speaking, something of a misnomer as the book is actually as much a detailed and engaging history of Wellington's campaign in the Peninsular War between 1809 and 1813, as the story of George Scovell, the junior officer who was entrusted with handling all communications. The book is firmly rooted in the modern historical genre of the "small, previously un-regarded, footnote that made a difference", but where other authors have fleshed out the lives of their characters by imputing thoughts and imagining events, Urban has restricted himself to relying purely on documented evidence. This has the benefit of historical rigour, but it does sometimes mean that Scovell is a slightly shadowy character at times, someone whom the reader has to work hard to get to know. The portrait that emerges here is of an army riven by class warfare, in which the rich and the aristocratic bought commissions and dictated orders, while the lowborn and the un-moneyed made up the also-rans. Scovell fell firmly into the latter category. Beginning the Peninsular campaign as a lowly deputy assistant quarter-master general, through hard work and an intelligence superior to many of his seniors, he soon drew himself to Wellington's attention and was appointed head of communications. As the campaign progressed, Napoleon became aware that many of his messages were being intercepted, giving the British vital intelligence, so over time he devised a series of ever more complicated ciphers to escape detection. Urban is at his best during this particular narrative: unlike the story of the breaking of Enigma during World War Two which is still really only intelligible to post-graduate mathematicians despite the best efforts of popular historians to render it accessible, the Napoleonic ciphers do lend themselves to explanation, and it is to the author's credit that he makes the process so compelling. What's more, his conclusion that it was the information obtained from the broken ciphers, rather than astute command, that was critical to the campaign's success, and that Wellington's suppression of the truth was based in class, professional jealousy and self-aggrandisement is powerfully convincing. Plus ca change, as Napoleon might have said. --John Crace
Review
A compelling account of the officer who waged the intelligence battle against Napoleon's army: a forerunner to the great code-breakers of the 20th century. In 1812, with two great armies manoeuvering across the Spanish plains, each struggles to gain an advantage. Wellington was aware that he might turn the tide of the war if he defeated the French. Good intelligence was the key, but the impenetrable code used by the French, the "Great Paris Cipher" seemed indecipherable. One man, Major George Scovell, was given the impossible task. This remarkable man of low birth who struggled for advancement in the ranks of better-connected officers was the perfect subject for a fascinating, multi-faceted study.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Mark Urban has added another great book to the many titles competing to be placed in a Napoleonic library. This book, 'The Man Who Broken Napoleon's Codes' covers a little known and written of subject, the story of George Scovell. This man had as much to do with the British victories in Spain as did Wellington although you would not know it if you read any previous accounts of the Peninsular War.
George Scovell helped break the French Imperial codes and provided much useful intelligence to Wellington in his campaigns against the French armies. But since Scovell was of low birth he struggled for advancement. He showed his bravery on a number of battlefields but was almost always forgotten when it came to promotion, being passed over by younger men of more distinguished birth.
I must admit that I was a bit dubious when I started reading this book as I usually find accounts on code breaking and intelligence quite dull and boring however this book reads like a novel. Full of information with a narrative that races along, it was a great story and full of action. The book covers all the major campaigns and battles in the Peninsular and was a joy to read. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who loves reading about the Napoleonic period.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I approached this book with some trepidation. Was this another attempt to jump onto the "code breakers" bandwagon. Was it really a turgid historical novel dressed up as a thriller.
I was very pleasantly surprised.
It really is about code breaking (and the central character was a remarkable man).
It really is a historical novel that keeps the readers interest
It really is a thriller
It really reads well - hope you are as pleasantly surprised
I was very pleasantly surprised.
It really is about code breaking (and the central character was a remarkable man).
It really is a historical novel that keeps the readers interest
It really is a thriller
It really reads well - hope you are as pleasantly surprised
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a well written book nicely blending a brief account of the peninsular campaign and the work of George Scovell in breaking the codes used by the French. The importance of intelligence in all wars is brought to the fore and there are some nice character studies of the main players on both sides. It encouraged me to read some more detailed history of the campaign.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mark Urban still writes well
I have enjoyed several of Urbans books so got this on the strength of his reputation. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others interested in cyphers and in the... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Graham
A fascinating read: military hisory, codes and biography
Mark Urban has chosen an obscure topic, the code-breaker George Scovell, and tells his story with insight and learning whilst ensuring that the narrative remains exciting... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Doc Barbara
A Worthy Addition
Napoleonic times are much written about but this is a worthwhile addition. Bernard Cornwell's fun books take up most of the limelight and this could not be more different. Read more
Published 6 months ago by oldschoolstoryhunter.calm
Beatifully written and gripping
When I bought this book, I was interested in the code breaking angle as well as its impact on military operations. Read more
Published 11 months ago by P. Bradley
Don't Hesitate!
A very good read indeed. If you're remotely interested in military history, the Peninsular Wars, or cryptography, and are hesitating, stop it at once, and buy this book.
Published on 27 Jan 2009 by Andrew K
A great introduction to the world of Wellington and the Penisular...
I just happened across this book in my local library and was intrigued by the title. Before reading this my knowledge of Wellington was just the Battle of Waterloo. Read more
Published on 26 April 2007 by Saffers
WELL RESEARCHED ACCOUNT
I AM A MUCH BIGGER FAN OF MARK URBAN AFTER READING THIS BOOK,
ALOT OF RESEARCH HAS GONE INTO IT AND AT THE END IT LEFT ME WONDERING WETHER WELLINGTON WAS THE ALL... Read more
ALOT OF RESEARCH HAS GONE INTO IT AND AT THE END IT LEFT ME WONDERING WETHER WELLINGTON WAS THE ALL... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2006 by Mr. T. J. Summers
Start here.
Most of the previous reviewers have hit the nail on the head about this book. Not too much boring minutiae about code-breaking, you can find this elsewhere, probably as much detail... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2003 by gronow
A thoroughly enjoyable read
I'm not an expert on the subject, but have probably read well over eighty to a hundred books on the Napoleonic Wars, and I have been on two tours of the Peninsular War... Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2002 by David Reid
THE REIGN IN SPAIN (AND PORTUGAL)
This is a solid, workmanlike effort about a little-known man (George Scovell) and a little-discussed aspect (codes and codebreaking) of the Peninsular War. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2002 by Bruce Loveitt
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Military
- Books > Biography > Political > Britain
- Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Spain
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Peninsular War
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Queen Anne, Georgian, Victorian 1701-1901
- Books > History > Europe > Napoleonic Wars
- Books > History > Europe > Spain
- Books > History > Military History
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Warfare & Defence
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
