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Product Description
John Ure, Country Life
'All good Europeans will be wiser for reading this engrossing tome.'
Review
"'This is the 'definitive' one-volume account of a particualry rich slab of history. Harvey is an energetic writer - he shuttles us along without ever losing pace.' Daily Express. 'Harvey's narrative and the development of his thesis are comprehensive, clear, persuasive and entertaining; indeed it is truly impressive. I doubt a better account of the never-ending war will be written in many a year.' Allan Mallinson, The Spectator. 'an exhillirating sequence of dramatic set-pieces in narrative history's best traditions.' Literary Review"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I own a number of books by Robert Harvey and have enjoyed them all so I was quite excited by this book that offered a condensed, concise and updated version of this period in history. Harvey's style of writing is always light, breezy and well paced with the author being able to unravel complex topics and present them in a simple, easy to understand manner. The layout of the book is a key strength of this work with short sharp chapters that allows the reader to make progress in convenient time. The selection of illustrations and plates, whilst not immaginative per se, adequately compliment the work. It is clear that Harvey thoroughly understands the navel aspect of these wars very well, and heaps praise upon Cochrane especially (not surprising since Harvey wrote a biography on Cochrane). Another refreshing aspect of this history is Harvey's opinions of the key players; Pitt, Grenville, Napoleon, Nelson etc etc, who are re-assessed and come through the wash very differently from the majority of works extant.
Unfortunately this is where the positives end. When the work began to encounter the Peninsular campaigns, mistakes of an unforgivable nature began to creep into the work. A couple of examples will illustrate, General Sir David Baird becomes Barnard in one chapter and Barclay in the very next; Wellington was never nearly drowned off the coast of Egypt, a ship he was going to board on its way to the Red Sea was lost with all hands (something very different); Lord Mornington became Lord Wellesley after the storming of Serinapatam in 1799, when this same person tried to bring down the Percival government a decade or so later, Wellesley is referred to as Mornington again; King Joseph of Spain's cheif of staff was Marshall Jourdan, never Junot, according to Harvey; Napoleon and Tsar Alexanber met on a barge on the river Tikrit, the very same place as Saddam Hussein's birthplace! And the list goes on!! These errors had me questioning the narrative that preceeded it, how many errors of fact and of history went before? What is clear is that Harvey (or the publishers) failed to perform any quality control and as a result the work overall comes across as rushed and sloppy. And for 25 pounds puchase price (from Waterstones not Amazon unfortunately), the money could easily have been spent on a better quality work such as a second hand copy of Bryant's seminal trilogy on this period!
Recommendation: Buy at your peril!
Unfortunately this is where the positives end. When the work began to encounter the Peninsular campaigns, mistakes of an unforgivable nature began to creep into the work. A couple of examples will illustrate, General Sir David Baird becomes Barnard in one chapter and Barclay in the very next; Wellington was never nearly drowned off the coast of Egypt, a ship he was going to board on its way to the Red Sea was lost with all hands (something very different); Lord Mornington became Lord Wellesley after the storming of Serinapatam in 1799, when this same person tried to bring down the Percival government a decade or so later, Wellesley is referred to as Mornington again; King Joseph of Spain's cheif of staff was Marshall Jourdan, never Junot, according to Harvey; Napoleon and Tsar Alexanber met on a barge on the river Tikrit, the very same place as Saddam Hussein's birthplace! And the list goes on!! These errors had me questioning the narrative that preceeded it, how many errors of fact and of history went before? What is clear is that Harvey (or the publishers) failed to perform any quality control and as a result the work overall comes across as rushed and sloppy. And for 25 pounds puchase price (from Waterstones not Amazon unfortunately), the money could easily have been spent on a better quality work such as a second hand copy of Bryant's seminal trilogy on this period!
Recommendation: Buy at your peril!
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I saw this book I grabbed it immediately - I'd wanted a single volume history of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars for ages.
I was very disappointed. The book reads like a first draft. The editing is a disgrace - there are numerous typos, grammatical errors and the structure is all over the place. A typical example is a detailed desription of how naval prize money is divvied up. "A quarter" to the lower ranks but "two eigths to the captain". When the quarters and eights are totted up, the result is one and a quarter. Clearly nobody involved in the publisihing of the book bothered even to read its hardback edition.
Similarly, the book is full of contradictions. Pitt is described on one page as a first rate orator and on the very next page as being without any oratorical talents.
The writing is readable in the way that a column in a tabloid newspaper is. Breezy, opinionated, cliched and not too bothered with the facts. The main difference is that a newspaper would never employ such a poor editor.
This is the first book I have ever given a single star to. I don't care much about the money I spent on it but I do resent that the time I have wasted. The writer and his publisher should be ashamed of themselves. Neither will ever get my custom again.
I was very disappointed. The book reads like a first draft. The editing is a disgrace - there are numerous typos, grammatical errors and the structure is all over the place. A typical example is a detailed desription of how naval prize money is divvied up. "A quarter" to the lower ranks but "two eigths to the captain". When the quarters and eights are totted up, the result is one and a quarter. Clearly nobody involved in the publisihing of the book bothered even to read its hardback edition.
Similarly, the book is full of contradictions. Pitt is described on one page as a first rate orator and on the very next page as being without any oratorical talents.
The writing is readable in the way that a column in a tabloid newspaper is. Breezy, opinionated, cliched and not too bothered with the facts. The main difference is that a newspaper would never employ such a poor editor.
This is the first book I have ever given a single star to. I don't care much about the money I spent on it but I do resent that the time I have wasted. The writer and his publisher should be ashamed of themselves. Neither will ever get my custom again.
32 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This amazing 800 page volume certainly lives up to the publishers description of being - "the definitive one volume account of the Napoleonic Wars" and therefore anyone with the slightest interest in this exciting period of history, will definitely want a copy on their bookshelves!
Robert Harvey is an accomplished historical author with several excellent volumes to his credit . He has a reputation for "wielding the pen like a sabre" and in this particular volume, there is no exception, as he provides the reader with a fascinating insight into the 22 year long turn of the century conflict between Britain and France - a war that could, if it had turned out differently, have had a lasting impact on our nation up until present times.
His overview of the situation in both Britain and France between the years 1789 and 1785 are valuable in setting the scene. He has gone to great lengths in his research and this is quite obvious from his exciting narrative, as he cleverly describes and the numerous personalities and characters involved in events that spanned from the sunny Caribbean Seas to the cold wastes of Russia. These colourful figures ranged from the ordinary soldier and sailor through to spies and high ranking politicians and one must not of course forget the famous admirals and generals themselves. His radical reassessment of Napoleon might however lead to some controversy in some circles, as he describes the French Emperor as being less brilliant than traditionally portrayed!
His gripping narrative is backed up by numerous maps and copies of several excellent black and white historical plates thus adding to the overall value of the volume. There is no doubt that this publication is packed to the hilt with a wealth of information and if you are interested in buying just one title on this important conflict, this is obviously the one to go for.
Robert Harvey is an accomplished historical author with several excellent volumes to his credit . He has a reputation for "wielding the pen like a sabre" and in this particular volume, there is no exception, as he provides the reader with a fascinating insight into the 22 year long turn of the century conflict between Britain and France - a war that could, if it had turned out differently, have had a lasting impact on our nation up until present times.
His overview of the situation in both Britain and France between the years 1789 and 1785 are valuable in setting the scene. He has gone to great lengths in his research and this is quite obvious from his exciting narrative, as he cleverly describes and the numerous personalities and characters involved in events that spanned from the sunny Caribbean Seas to the cold wastes of Russia. These colourful figures ranged from the ordinary soldier and sailor through to spies and high ranking politicians and one must not of course forget the famous admirals and generals themselves. His radical reassessment of Napoleon might however lead to some controversy in some circles, as he describes the French Emperor as being less brilliant than traditionally portrayed!
His gripping narrative is backed up by numerous maps and copies of several excellent black and white historical plates thus adding to the overall value of the volume. There is no doubt that this publication is packed to the hilt with a wealth of information and if you are interested in buying just one title on this important conflict, this is obviously the one to go for.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent overview of the "Napoleonic" Wars
Over recent years, the wars between England and France between 1793 and 1815 have been explained through specific topics. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Duducu
War of Wars
I would have to agree with most reviewers of this book. There many errors in it which turned it into a very disappointing read. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Commander Bod
A riveting and hugely informative read. (Though it could have done...
An excellent large single volume covering the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars that flows along brilliantly. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Octavius1
The ultimate Napoleonic wars!
This is absolutely the best single volume history of the Napoleonic wars. It is very clear and tells the story very well. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Lew Jackson
The War of Wars: The Epic Struggle Between Britain and France...
A wonderful read! Well written with an engaging style the book takes the reader into the day to day life of the privileged and the common sailor. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Don Blower
A great read for new reader on this subject
Having some basic knowledge of the Napoleonic wars and some of the leading players.I found the book to be a very easy read and enjoyed all 800 pages. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Stuart Devers
Interesting if not taken too seriously
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its easily accessible and broad approach to history. Engaging reading for someone not too familiar with the subject matter... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2009 by Tiberius
A useful book, if read critically
This is the kind fo book I've always wanted. A complete history of one of the tipping points of world history. It's an easy book to read, and fun too. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by Mark Mewell
a little too onesided
Bought the book for Christmas and read already the first third of it.Too onesided,to say the least.The man obviously dislikes Napoleon,but that is no reason to paint him with... Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by JSR
A catalogue of errors
Happily, I was bought this book as a birthday present. Unhappily, friends paid good money for a work that, while superficially attractive, is so full of errors as to make a reader... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2008 by J. Hallam
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