The first French invasion of Portugal in 1807 - which was commanded by Junot, one of Napoleon's most experienced generals - was a key event in the long, brutal Peninsular War, and it was the first campaign fought in the Peninsular by Sir Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, yet it tends to be overshadowed by more famous episodes in the six-year conflict that followed. David Buttery, in this original and perceptive new study, sets the record straight - his tightly focused narrative covers the entire campaign in vivid detail.
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https://mycrazylifefullwithbooks.blogspot.com/ already know that I'm interested in royal history and especially about Russia, Napoleon, Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and Queen Victoria. So, I was very happy that Kobo plus offers a series of books about General Wellington and the Portuguese invasion. This is a period during the reign of Napoleon which is less known for me. I read three books:
- Wellington against Junot
- Wellington against Soult
At the heart of David Butterys third book on the Peninsular War lies the comparison between two great commanders of enormous experience and reputation Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, and Jean de Dieu Soult. In Soult, Wellesley met one of his most formidable opponents and they confronted each other during one of the most remarkable, and neglected, of the Peninsular campaigns. Soults invasion of Portugal is rarely studied in great depth and, likewise, the offensive Wellesley launched, which defeated and expelled the French, has also received scant coverage. As well as giving a fresh insight into the contrasting characters of the two generals, the narrative offers a gripping and detailed, reconstruction of the organization and experience of a military campaign 200 years ago.
- Wellington against Massena
Wellington's clash with Massena was one of the most remarkable contests between two commanders in the Peninsular War. These two formidable generals carried on a campaign of maneuver, battle and attrition across Spain and Portugal in 1810 and 1811 which had a decisive impact on the outcome of the war. Wellington's reputation was enhanced, Massena's was ruined.David Buttery's close analysis of this extraordinary encounter offers a penetrating insight into the personalities of these two outstanding soldiers. Using a variety of sources, in particular eyewitness accounts from both sides, he reassesses the famous confrontations at Ciudad Rodrigo, Almeida, Busaco, the lines of Torres Vedras and the final bitterly fought battle at Fuentes de Ooro.He sheds new light on this pivotal episode in the Napoleonic Wars and his account corrects the one-sided view of the campaign that has survived to the present day. In particular he reconsiders the true cost of the scorched earth policy that was employed against the French
All the books are talking about the Invasion of Portugal in the Napoleonic Wars. They are published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd.
Wellington shouldn't be introduced to the English readers of this blog and to the history lovers. But perhaps the Generals of Napoleon Bonaparte are less famous. Nevertheless these series are clearly written and very interesting to learn about the different invasions in Portugal. It is an excellent reading to know the people and even the spirit of the age. So it's very recommendable for royal history lovers.
Source pictures: Book covers
