My Orthez inspired research continues.
This 2002 publication was an uncorrected proof copy and contained no maps, although it did intend to do so. This didn't bother me as my previous book had supplied what I needed.
I only intended reading Chapter 17 - Pyrenees: The Invasion of France, July-November 1813. However, I enjoyed it so much I went on to read the final chapter Bascara: Peace and Thereafter.
What was unique about this book was the coverage of the political (especial Spanish) and diplomatic aspects of the closing stages of the war. It didn't concentrate on the day-to-day location of forces as the first book I read or only minutiae of a privileged officer's life contained in the second book. However, it was "spiced up" by the inclusion of various passages related to the fighting based on eyewitness accounts, something that was missing in the other books.
The destabilizing effect of the French occupation on both Portugal and Spain was detailed and that it led to the loss of Americas and further civil strife. Both countries were much the poorer for their involvement in the Napoleonic Wars.
Do you have or have you read David Gates' "The Spanish Ulcer: A History of the Peninsular War"? An excellent, really detailed tome. A reader's review (not mine, but I would agree entirely):
ReplyDelete"If you only want to a have one book on the Peninsular War, this is it. This is a great account of the battles and campaigns fought in Spain & Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. In over 550 pages of text the author, David Gates, offers the reader a detailed account of the fighting with a non-bias point of view. He offers assessments of the opposing Generals and their forces and covers the political and social background of the times."
No. My next book is The Peninsula War 1807-1814 by Michael Glover which has sent me down a rabbit hole exploring the Battle of Toulouse and how it would present using Napoleon's Battles.
ReplyDeleteGood choice. Glover's is a fine tome too.
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