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Review
A superb account of what it must have been like serving under Britain's greatest - but also most exacting - soldier
(Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph, Books of the Year )Fascinating. History written as it should be: entertaining and informative
(Independent on Sunday )A refreshingly accessible portrait of one of Britain’s greatest generals, it will take some beating
(Yorkshire Evening Post )Dramatic, often moving, sometimes shocking . . . Snow’s story is far more powerful than fiction
(Herald )The bloodcurdling (and surprisingly steamy) soldiers’ diaries that reveal how Britain trounced Napoleon in battle
(Daily Mail )Snow’s descriptions of battles . . . are unrivalled
(Oxford Times )A must-read
(Heritage Today )Review
A superb account of what it must have been like serving under Britain's greatest - but also most exacting - soldier
(Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph, Books of the Year )Fascinating. History written as it should be: entertaining and informative
(Independent on Sunday )Dramatic, often moving, sometimes shocking . . . Snow's story is far more powerful than fiction
(Herald )The bloodcurdling (and surprisingly steamy) soldiers' diaries that reveal how Britain trounced Napoleon in battle
(Daily Mail )Snow's descriptions of battles . . . are unrivalled
(Oxford Times )A refreshingly accessible portrait of one of Britain's greatest generals, it will take some beating
(Yorkshire Evening Post )A must-read
(Heritage Today )'Snow writes with tremendous elan and his appraisal of Wellington is scrupulously fair'
(Mail on Sunday ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wellington is one of the most famous and written about figures in British history.
Snow's work (I only realised it was the telly man half way through the book) seeks to be an immediate and above all `human', account of the great man and the soldiers who fought with him.
Drawing from some of the famous accounts written by the participants, including Harry Smith and Edward Costello, To War With Wellington grabs your interest from the first page.
The characters amongst the senior officers, such as `Black Bob' Robert Crauford and Thomas Picton are well drawn, mostly through the accounts of their soldiers
This is in no way an exhaustive account of Wellington's career from the Peninsula War onwards - many battles and sieges are only referred to in passing, while others are passed by with only a few paragraphs.
What we do get is a very enjoyable romp through Wellington's career. We don't find an awful lot out about his life before Portugal, but we do get a real flavour of life at war in Napoleonic times.
Wellington himself is cold and aloof, but his attention to detail shows why he was such a successful general.
He may have called his soldiers the `scum of the earth' but he made sure they were fed and looked after, realising, as many commanders of that age did not, that their welfare was crucial to his success.
Attention to detail, courage under fire, amazing luck and tactical mastery were all attributes which led to Wellington's success, Snow says, and he develops a narrative which produces compelling arguments to back this up.
Snow's work (I only realised it was the telly man half way through the book) seeks to be an immediate and above all `human', account of the great man and the soldiers who fought with him.
Drawing from some of the famous accounts written by the participants, including Harry Smith and Edward Costello, To War With Wellington grabs your interest from the first page.
The characters amongst the senior officers, such as `Black Bob' Robert Crauford and Thomas Picton are well drawn, mostly through the accounts of their soldiers
This is in no way an exhaustive account of Wellington's career from the Peninsula War onwards - many battles and sieges are only referred to in passing, while others are passed by with only a few paragraphs.
What we do get is a very enjoyable romp through Wellington's career. We don't find an awful lot out about his life before Portugal, but we do get a real flavour of life at war in Napoleonic times.
Wellington himself is cold and aloof, but his attention to detail shows why he was such a successful general.
He may have called his soldiers the `scum of the earth' but he made sure they were fed and looked after, realising, as many commanders of that age did not, that their welfare was crucial to his success.
Attention to detail, courage under fire, amazing luck and tactical mastery were all attributes which led to Wellington's success, Snow says, and he develops a narrative which produces compelling arguments to back this up.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This new biography on the Duke of Wellington by Peter Snow is an excellent addition to the many books on this British General. The book mainly covers Wellington's time in the Peninsular with fourteen of twenty chapters devoted to that campaign. The final four chapters obviously cover the lead up to, and the conclusion of, the Battle of Waterloo.
In just over 316 pages the author provides an excellent account of this period and Wellington's role in defeating Napoleonic France. Although I may not agree with all of the author's assertions I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The narrative is full of first-hand accounts, some well know and some never before seen, and great stories. The book just moved along at a cracking pace and if not in-depth certainly detailed enough for most military enthusiasts. There were 20 maps supplied and numerous colour illustrations which added to the story.
Overall this is book well worth reading and I am sure most readers, both first-timers and those well read about the `Iron Duke', will have a great time following the career of Wellington from the Peninsular to Waterloo.
In just over 316 pages the author provides an excellent account of this period and Wellington's role in defeating Napoleonic France. Although I may not agree with all of the author's assertions I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The narrative is full of first-hand accounts, some well know and some never before seen, and great stories. The book just moved along at a cracking pace and if not in-depth certainly detailed enough for most military enthusiasts. There were 20 maps supplied and numerous colour illustrations which added to the story.
Overall this is book well worth reading and I am sure most readers, both first-timers and those well read about the `Iron Duke', will have a great time following the career of Wellington from the Peninsular to Waterloo.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Peter Snow's account of Wellington's campaign in the Peninsula and at Waterloo is an excellent book.
As the author notes in his introduction this was the first war where a lot of people involved kept extensive diaries and by quoting a lot from these diaries he tells a livelier story than if he were just to narrate the events as they unfold.
What must have been a pain in the neck to Wellington is that he couldn't promote his officers and at the same time was stuck with people thrust upon him by his commander-in-chief. He was lucky that some of these turned out to be competent, but quite a few were `political postings'. That he still managed to fight and win the Peninsula War certainly adds to his qualities as a strategist and leader. The other thing I found puzzling is that Napoleon did not show up on the Peninsula himself to deal with what became a major problem. A result of hubris perhaps?
Peter Snow spends four chapters to describe the run-up to Waterloo and the battle itself. He does point out more than once that Napoleon made a number of mistakes - or call them uncharacteristic moves - at Waterloo, but I don't think that diminishes Wellington's achievements in any way.
All told I found this book a very lively and readable account and I enjoyed every page of it.
As the author notes in his introduction this was the first war where a lot of people involved kept extensive diaries and by quoting a lot from these diaries he tells a livelier story than if he were just to narrate the events as they unfold.
What must have been a pain in the neck to Wellington is that he couldn't promote his officers and at the same time was stuck with people thrust upon him by his commander-in-chief. He was lucky that some of these turned out to be competent, but quite a few were `political postings'. That he still managed to fight and win the Peninsula War certainly adds to his qualities as a strategist and leader. The other thing I found puzzling is that Napoleon did not show up on the Peninsula himself to deal with what became a major problem. A result of hubris perhaps?
Peter Snow spends four chapters to describe the run-up to Waterloo and the battle itself. He does point out more than once that Napoleon made a number of mistakes - or call them uncharacteristic moves - at Waterloo, but I don't think that diminishes Wellington's achievements in any way.
All told I found this book a very lively and readable account and I enjoyed every page of it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fascinating and entertaining read
when i first started on this book i was worried that it might be heavily biased yet how wrong i turned out to be. Read more
Published 2 days ago by john
Brings to life Wellington's campaigns against Napoleon
What I love about this book is the way that Peter Snow intercuts the story of Wellington's military campaigns against Napoleon with the individual stories of those who served with... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Adrenalin Streams
Wonderful read
A fast paced action packed read. Anyone interested in Wellington will love this book. It is such a good read I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read it for a second time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by frankie5angels
Enjoyable read
Peter Snow seems to have struck a good middle ground with his style and content. As for sytle, he is very 'readable', the book is not dry, which can be the case with such material... Read more
Published 6 months ago by N. Smith
Wellington versus Napoleon in Spain.
Brilliant review of Wellington versus Napoleon in the fighting taking place in Spain and Portugal. Have only just started to read the book, but it is very much in the style of... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. A. Crunden
Easy Going
This would be a good introductory volume for those who are new to the subject, but it does not appear to be intended for readers already possessing an understanding of events and... Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. Perry
Wellington
Not a lot of new facts on the campaign, seems to rely heavily on previous books on the subject. However it is well written and engages the reader. Read more
Published 9 months ago by chrisfrance
To War with Wellington
I've enjoyed this book and learnt a few new historical snippets. Its an easy read and the excerpts from the diarys of the soldiers make the battles a bit more personal. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Cyclingdave
action and skill
a thoroughly enjoyable history lesson - you cannot put the book down. So many facts are brought to light. 1st class!
Published 17 months ago by Jmg Mcdonald
An Excellent Book
This book is a very informed read, bringing together the thoughts of ordinary soldiers from their own biographies, giving a very full and balanced account of the Peninsular War... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Peter Sandford
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