Wellington: The Iron Duke (Military Profiles) - Softcover

Haythornthwaite, Philip J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1574888935 ISBN 13: 9781574888935

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc., 2007

Synopsis

One of the Duke of Wellington's officers once remarked, "We would rather see his long nose in the sight than a reinforcement of ten thousand men." Arthur Wellesley, first duke of Wellington (1769-1852), was one of the greatest military commanders in history and is best known as the successful opponent at Waterloo of arguably the leading general of all time, Napoleon Bonaparte. Although Waterloo is the battle most associated with Wellington, his career was much wider. He gained his first military experience in the Netherlands in 1793-94 in an unsuccessful campaign that taught him, as he said,"how not to do it." From there he went to India, where he conducted a number of successful campaigns and honed his military skills until he became Britain's leading general. With great strategic foresight and as master not only of the battlefield but also of organization and logistics, he helped expel the French from Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular War, which materially weakened Napoleon's strategic position and led to his downfall in 1814. After Napoleon returned from exile in 1815, Wellington was a principal leader of the coalition forces at Waterloo. In subsequent years, Wellington exerted a considerable influence on British politics, serving as prime minister and in later life as a trusted elder statesman. Upon his death, he was widely regarded as the greatest Briton of his generation and undisputedly one of the greatest British soldiers. The Duke of Wellington has been the subject of many biographies over the years but none as comprehensive yet concise as this latest addition to Potomac's Military Profiles series.

About this title

Review:

Praise for Philip Haythornthwaite s "The Armies of Wellington" A distinguished British military historian produces this valuable reference to the British army of the Napoleonic era. . . . Highly recommended and widely useful.

I would recommend this book to the established academic seeking a quick reference, the newly interested reader seeking an introduction to the material, or the casual reader who only wants a basic overview of Wellington s life.

About the Author:

An acknowledged authority on the British Army of the Napoleonic Wars and on Wellington's campaigns, Philip Haythornthwaite is the author of many works on nineteenth-century military history, including The Napoleonic Source Book and The Armies of Wellington. He lives in Lancashire, England.

About this edition

• Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1574888935
• ISBN 13: 9781574888935
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160