Napoleon’s Peninsular War

PAUL L DAWSON

Here’s the story of Napoleon in the Peninsular War, as told from the French perspective. It covers the early years of 1808-1809. It covers both the grand strategy and the day to day life of the ordinary soldier, with accounts of the battles at Zaragoza, Medellin and Ocana. The strength of the book is also its weakness. There are a great deal of extracts from French soldiers’ diaries which give a real taste of life on the campaign trail, but so much 19th century prose isn’t easy on the eye. Still, a good account from the French side.

• Frontline Books • ISBN 978-1-5267-5409-7 • 326 pages • Hardback • £30