In These Times: Living in Britain Through Napoleon’s Wars 1793-1815

by Jenny Uglow (Faber & Faber, 752 pages, £25) Much has been written about the Napoleonic wars, but up until now, the impact on those left behind in Britain has rather been overlooked. Uglow seeks to rectify that in this weighty tome, delving into the 20-year conflict with the French which affected the likes of Norfolk farmers, Irish villagers, Yorkshire mill workers and aristocrats to paupers.