The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes: The Story of George Scovell [Paperback]

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

...he has uncovered an answer to that most perplexing riddle: What book shall we give Dad for Christmas? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Meticulously researched and superbly written, this is an excellent and exciting look at a hero who no longer remains unsung --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Urban has produced an excellent corrective to the myth that the Peninsular campaign was won by Wellington's generalship alone. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Scovell's story is fascinating and Mark Urban... tells it brilliantly... and apart from being fun, the book actually breaks new ground. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Mark Urban certainly establishes the importance of a talented individual, whose usefulness enabled him to overcome a modest background. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

He has a riveting story to tell. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

In 1812 two mighty armies manoeuvred across the Spanish plains. They were finely balanced, under skilful leaders. Each struggled to gain an advantage. Wellington knew that if he defeated the French, he could turn the tide of the war. Good intelligence was paramount, but the French were using a code of unrivalled complexity - the 'Great Paris Cipher'. It was an unprecedented challenge, and Wellington looked to one man to break the code: Major George Scovell. Using a network of Spanish guerrillas, Scovell amassed a stack of coded French messages, and set to work decrypting them.

As a man of low birth, Scovell - even with his genius for languages, and bravery on a dozen battlefields - struggled for advancement amongst Wellington's inner circle of wealthier, better connected officers. Mark Urban draws on a wealth of original sources, including many cyphers and code-tables, to restore Scovell to his rightful place in history as the man who was the brains behind the intelligence battle against Napoleon's army and a forerunner of the great code-breakers of the 20th Century.

Mark Urban is Diplomatic and Defence Editor for Newsnight. He is the author of, among others, Big Boys' Rules: The SAS and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA, Rifles and Fusiliers.