GIBRALTAR THE GREATEST SIEGE IN BRITISH HISTORY

Author: Roy and Lesley Adkins Publisher: Little, Brown Price: £20

The siege of Gibraltar has been largely neglected by historians. There were more exciting things going on elsewhere in the world at the time. The American War of Independence (of which the siege of Gibraltar was technically a part) was entering its second phase as the British switched their attention to the southern colonies, while war between Britain and France had broken out once more and promised to leave even the American conflict in the shadows.

Roy and Lesley Adkins have put together a highly readable account of the siege, based on exhaustive research of papers and documents left behind by the people involved. The depth of research allows the reader to be taken directly into the garrison, to experience the growing dread as the siege began to bite and the resourcefulness of both British and Spanish protagonists.

THE STORY OF HOW A BRITISH GARRISON HELD OUT AGAINST FRENCH AND SPANISH OPPONENTS FOR MORE THAN THREE AND A HALF YEARS

The result is a very personal story. Rather than hovering above events and providing an overview, the reader is taken directly into the action (or sometimes inaction, as lengthy sieges offered plenty of opportunities for boredom).

The writing is first-rate right from the start, when the sinking of the Royal George is recounted in heart-stopping fashion. Three major relief efforts by the Royal Navy are among the high points of the drama, but the ‘Grand Assault’ on 13 September 1782 was the most serious attempt to end the siege. The biggest battle of the War of Independence in terms of men involved was watched by the biggest audience, as 80,000 civilians gathered to enjoy the spectacle.

With plenty of drama to draw upon and an impressive commitment to research, this is a book to delight the military history enthusiast.