Renowned military historian Richard Holmes here turns his expertise
to the story of the Duke of Wellington, a man regarded as Britain's
'greatest-ever soldier' in a beautiful book that serves as a
companion to the lavish BBC series of the same name. The
introduction pays tribute to Wellington, and reveals the huge
impact he had on the author as a young boy. Acknowledging the fact
that the Duke may not have always been good, Holmes defends him as
being 'unquestionably great', and takes the reader back to his
childhood days as Arthur Wesley, a member of the Protestant
minority under siege in 18th-century Ireland. A far from ideal
financial situation drove the family to England, where the young
Arthur went to Eton as 'a shy young Irishman in England, an
outsider'. Having dabbled in politics, he found himself in a
British army smarting from defeat in America, and he returned from
a disastrous military campaign in March 1795 all the wiser for
having 'learnt what not to do'. The history of the times are
expertly considered - from the development in weaponry to the
enormous events unfolding across the continent of Europe - as they
form a background to Wellington's life and his illustrious military
career. But Holmes doesn't just discuss his role as a soldier; we
also hear of his political idealism, his philandering and his skill
with a well-placed pithy remark. Complete with maps, illustrations
and colour plates, this book pretty much says all that needs to be
said about Wellington, and very readably too. (Kirkus UK)
In this compelling book – and hugely popular accompanying BBC series – Richard Holmes charts the extraordinary progress of Britain's greatest-ever soldier from the ruins of his family seat in Ireland to the plains of India, where Wellesley first gained his reputation as a brilliant and courageous commander, to the horrors of the Peninsular War and ultimately to Waterloo. Holmes excavates a brilliant figure, idealistic in politics, cynical in love, a wit, a beau, a man of enormous courage and iron duty often sickened by the horrors of war. However, Wellington's journey to greatness and recognition as the man who saved Europe from the tyranny of Napoleon, includes tales of philandering and exposes a man who sometimes despised the men he led, and was not always in control of them.
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON WAS NOT ALWAYS GOOD, BUT HE WAS UNQUESTIONABLY GREAT, AND THIS LIVELY AND INFORMED BOOK IS SOCIAL, MILITARY AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY AT ITS FINEST
"Holmes has written the best life of Wellington that there is…Richard Holmes has returned from his long quest with an historical holy grail; the true character of Britain's grittiest soldier."
ANDREW ROBERTS, 'Sunday Telegraph'
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
