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A History Of The Peninsular War: October 1811 To August 31, 1812; Valencia, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid
During this period, the outcome of the war was effectively decided by Wellington's advance from Portugal into Spain. The operations that took place at this time included the French campaigns of late 1811, the Allied offensive, and Wellington's great victory at Salamanca. Other notable actions included that at Garcia Hernandez, and there were also smaller operations such as those on the east coast of Spain. Orders of battle, lists of strength and casualties, and an account of Wellington's intelligence officer and code-breaker Sir George Scovell, whose efforts contributed greatly to Wellington's plans of campaign, are given in the appendices to this volume.
634 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 1914
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About the author
Charles Oman
493 books48 followersSir Charles William Chadwick Oman was a British military historian of the early 20th century. His reconstructions of medieval battles from the fragmentary and distorted accounts left by chroniclers were pioneering. His style is an invigorating mixture of historical accuracy and emotional highlights, and it makes his narratives, though founded on deep research, often read as smoothly as fiction, especially in his History of the Peninsular War. Occasionally, his interpretations have been challenged, especially his widely copied thesis that British troops defeated their Napoleonic opponents by firepower alone. Paddy Griffith, among modern historians, claims the British infantry's discipline and willingness to attack were equally important.
He was born in India, the son of a British planter, and was educated at Oxford University, where he studied under William Stubbs. In 1881 he was elected to a Prize Fellowship at All Souls College, where he would remain for the rest of his career.
He was elected the Chichele Professor of modern history at Oxford in 1905, in succession to Montagu Burrows. He was also elected to the FBA that year, serving as President of the Royal Historical and Numismatic societies, and of the Royal Archaeological Institute.
His academic career was interrupted by the First World War, during which he was employed by the government Press Bureau and Foreign Office.
Oman was a Conservative member of Parliament for the University of Oxford constituency from 1919 to 1935, and was knighted in 1920.
He became an honorary fellow of New College in 1936 and received the honorary degrees of DCL (Oxford, 1926) and LL.D (Edinburgh, 1911 and Cambridge, 1927). He died at Oxford.
Two of his children became authors. Son Charles wrote several volumes on British silverware and similar housewares. Daughter Carola was notable for her biographies, especially that of Nelson.
He was born in India, the son of a British planter, and was educated at Oxford University, where he studied under William Stubbs. In 1881 he was elected to a Prize Fellowship at All Souls College, where he would remain for the rest of his career.
He was elected the Chichele Professor of modern history at Oxford in 1905, in succession to Montagu Burrows. He was also elected to the FBA that year, serving as President of the Royal Historical and Numismatic societies, and of the Royal Archaeological Institute.
His academic career was interrupted by the First World War, during which he was employed by the government Press Bureau and Foreign Office.
Oman was a Conservative member of Parliament for the University of Oxford constituency from 1919 to 1935, and was knighted in 1920.
He became an honorary fellow of New College in 1936 and received the honorary degrees of DCL (Oxford, 1926) and LL.D (Edinburgh, 1911 and Cambridge, 1927). He died at Oxford.
Two of his children became authors. Son Charles wrote several volumes on British silverware and similar housewares. Daughter Carola was notable for her biographies, especially that of Nelson.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 6, 2018
I found this volume to be of particular interest because of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Salamanca. Oman does a fine job explaining how the Allies won these military engagements.
He also goes into detail aabout the confrontations between the various elements of the French armies. Marshal Soult was a real piece of work with his selfish need to hold on to Andalusia at all costs. Suchet is also taken to task for some of his questionable actions. Then there's King Joseph, a man between a rock and a hard place. He tried, for the most part, to do the right thing, but the 'Viceroys' had no intention in giving up power. The only marshal who tried somewhat to work with Joseph was Marmont, who lost big-time at Salamanca. What a dysfunctional group of men to be running the French war effort in the Peninsula while their 'master' was taking on Russia!
And therein lies one of main reasons the French invasion ultimately failed. The man giving the orders was many miles away, and his subordinates were not about to work together for the glory of France.
He also goes into detail aabout the confrontations between the various elements of the French armies. Marshal Soult was a real piece of work with his selfish need to hold on to Andalusia at all costs. Suchet is also taken to task for some of his questionable actions. Then there's King Joseph, a man between a rock and a hard place. He tried, for the most part, to do the right thing, but the 'Viceroys' had no intention in giving up power. The only marshal who tried somewhat to work with Joseph was Marmont, who lost big-time at Salamanca. What a dysfunctional group of men to be running the French war effort in the Peninsula while their 'master' was taking on Russia!
And therein lies one of main reasons the French invasion ultimately failed. The man giving the orders was many miles away, and his subordinates were not about to work together for the glory of France.
March 11, 2018
The 'hinge of fate' (to quote Churchill's WWII history) of the Peninsular war. This is probably the volume to look forward to. Unlike fiction the climax appears in the middle not the end. Greatest work of historical writing of all time!
April 1, 2023
Still the best and best written account of the campaign
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews