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A History of the Peninsular War: September 1809 to December 1810, Ocana, Cadiz, Bussaco, Torres Vedras
Volume III covers the period from September 1809 to December 1810, when the French were consolidating their hold on Spain, crushing resistance and attempting to drive the British out of Portugal. However, they could not wholly defeat their opponents. The forces of the Spanish Regency Council, with British and Portuguese aid, held out against the siege of Cadiz. Wellington's Allied army fought a model defensive battle at Bussaco, stalling the French drive into Portugal and enabling the British and Portuguese forces to retire to the shelter of the Torres Vedras fortifications. Here the Allies' defence led to a strategic victory, blunting the French offensive, and ultimately forcing the French to abandon their invasion.
568 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1995
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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 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 26, 2016
'Seminal' is such a tired platitude when it comes to history books, but on certain occasions it is impossible to refrain from using it. Having read third volume of Charles Oman's 'History of Peninsular War', I am quite convinced that this great narrative of the French attempt to subdue Spain during reign of Napoleon I is one such occasion. Pretty much everything about this book is 'perfect' for a military history buff.
The 'meat' of this work, the military operations are described very competently and with truly great detail, with author providing excellent analysis for the reasons for decisions that were taken, the course of actions and the outcomes. This in itself is perhaps not surprising, considering the fact that 'History of Peninsular War' stretches over seven sizeable volumes. What may however come as a surprise that this detailed and potentially very dry story is written in entertaining and witty style that still feels fresh over hundred years after it's been put on paper! That in itself is in my opinion sufficient to call this work both 'seminal' and a 'classic'.
The 'meat' of this work, the military operations are described very competently and with truly great detail, with author providing excellent analysis for the reasons for decisions that were taken, the course of actions and the outcomes. This in itself is perhaps not surprising, considering the fact that 'History of Peninsular War' stretches over seven sizeable volumes. What may however come as a surprise that this detailed and potentially very dry story is written in entertaining and witty style that still feels fresh over hundred years after it's been put on paper! That in itself is in my opinion sufficient to call this work both 'seminal' and a 'classic'.
June 13, 2018
3.5 stars would be my actual rating since I found the parts about the campaign in Portugal, Torres Vedras, and Oman's speculations about Napoleon's desire to annex northern Spain to be of the most interest.
Oman also discusses some of the controversy about Joseph's role in Spain. It would seem that he received little respect as the 'king'. Soult and other generals virtually ignored Joseph, but that's not surprising since Napoleon made it clear that he was the one in charge, even from Paris. That was a grave mistake. France's armies were spread too thin in a war like no other. In the following volumes Oman shows how the Peninsular War played such an important role in the downfall of Napoleon.
Oman also discusses some of the controversy about Joseph's role in Spain. It would seem that he received little respect as the 'king'. Soult and other generals virtually ignored Joseph, but that's not surprising since Napoleon made it clear that he was the one in charge, even from Paris. That was a grave mistake. France's armies were spread too thin in a war like no other. In the following volumes Oman shows how the Peninsular War played such an important role in the downfall of Napoleon.
November 7, 2017
Seven books, some quite long, all read within a two month time frame. I've never read so much in so short a time. True, I only read the 75% of all the books, and then scanned the remaining 25% (notes), so a 1000 page book was only 750 pages of text. The notes were not easy to read, and most were beyond my ability to locate (after all they were all over 100 years old.) It was like reading all the Sharpe's Rifles books (without the sex) two or three times. And like the Sharpe's Rifles, I only knew that in the end most of the heroes would win. Because you will meet them again at Waterloo.
In the reviews there were complaints that there were many OCR mistakes, true, but most did not slow me down, and only one in the 4000 pages could I not figure out. There were also complaints that the maps were inadequate, a complaint that the author voiced. He acknowledged that including more would have increased the price of the books too much. He was not looking forward to me reading the book 100 years later in a Kindle edition. Still, his maps were the best I have seen.
I purchased a road map of the Iberian Peninsula which helped me locate many of the towns mentioned, but some of the names have been changed or translated differently. And some, I am sure, no longer exist and many new ones have been created in the last 200 years.
My only complaint is that book seven ends at the end of the war and it does not tell what happened afterwards. Books on Waterloo covers many of the Peninsular war participants in the French and British armies, but finding information on the Spanish is more difficult. Raymond Carr's SPAIN 1808 - 1975 helps, but as it is not available on the Kindle, it is not easy to carry around and therefore gets left on the bookshelf.
In the reviews there were complaints that there were many OCR mistakes, true, but most did not slow me down, and only one in the 4000 pages could I not figure out. There were also complaints that the maps were inadequate, a complaint that the author voiced. He acknowledged that including more would have increased the price of the books too much. He was not looking forward to me reading the book 100 years later in a Kindle edition. Still, his maps were the best I have seen.
I purchased a road map of the Iberian Peninsula which helped me locate many of the towns mentioned, but some of the names have been changed or translated differently. And some, I am sure, no longer exist and many new ones have been created in the last 200 years.
My only complaint is that book seven ends at the end of the war and it does not tell what happened afterwards. Books on Waterloo covers many of the Peninsular war participants in the French and British armies, but finding information on the Spanish is more difficult. Raymond Carr's SPAIN 1808 - 1975 helps, but as it is not available on the Kindle, it is not easy to carry around and therefore gets left on the bookshelf.
January 7, 2020
It's All in the Details.
Many readers may be overwhelmed with the details this tome, which factors in my 4 star rating. Oman's work offers a vivid recount of the war in Spain and a careful analysis of the events. Indepth research. Complete citation.
I found it fascinating. This is a treasure for those interested in this era.
Many readers may be overwhelmed with the details this tome, which factors in my 4 star rating. Oman's work offers a vivid recount of the war in Spain and a careful analysis of the events. Indepth research. Complete citation.
I found it fascinating. This is a treasure for those interested in this era.
Read
October 1, 2019The best history of the Peninsular War
Masterful and researched in extraordinary detail. A must read for any interested layman or military scholar. So much here applies to conflicts today.
Masterful and researched in extraordinary detail. A must read for any interested layman or military scholar. So much here applies to conflicts today.
February 3, 2018
The greatest work of history in the English language - it has the size, scope and penetrating analysis. The golden age of history books... before revisionism and academic snobbery took hold.
December 3, 2018
One of the greatest of Military Historians, Sir Charles Oman's multi-volume study of the Peninsular War covers the French Invasions of Spain and Portugal and the long struggle by the Spanish and Portuguese together with their British allies to liberate their Countries.
Napoleon has returned to France, and on to Germany where he needs to deal with a sudden attack by the Austrian Empire. But most of his veteran troops remain in Spain divided into regional armies to hold down the Country. The largest Spanish Army is shattered by Marshal Soult at the Battle of Ocana: 52,000 defeated by 29,000 and suffering 10 times as many casualties as the French.
Napoleon sends one of his best Marshals to command the Army of Portugal, Andre Massena Prince of Essling. Massena stages the 2nd French invasion of Portugal and for the first time the French encounter Wellington's new 'Anglo-Portuguese Army' at the Battle of Busaco - fully integrated with each Infantry Division comprising 2 Brigades of British and 1 Portuguese. Two Corps of French Infantry stagger up the steep Busaco Ridge only to be confronted by close range volleys followed by Bayonet-charges by both British and Portuguese Infantry.
And when Massena's Army finally has Lisbon in its sights, the French are confronted with Wellington's Secret Weapon...
Napoleon has returned to France, and on to Germany where he needs to deal with a sudden attack by the Austrian Empire. But most of his veteran troops remain in Spain divided into regional armies to hold down the Country. The largest Spanish Army is shattered by Marshal Soult at the Battle of Ocana: 52,000 defeated by 29,000 and suffering 10 times as many casualties as the French.
Napoleon sends one of his best Marshals to command the Army of Portugal, Andre Massena Prince of Essling. Massena stages the 2nd French invasion of Portugal and for the first time the French encounter Wellington's new 'Anglo-Portuguese Army' at the Battle of Busaco - fully integrated with each Infantry Division comprising 2 Brigades of British and 1 Portuguese. Two Corps of French Infantry stagger up the steep Busaco Ridge only to be confronted by close range volleys followed by Bayonet-charges by both British and Portuguese Infantry.
And when Massena's Army finally has Lisbon in its sights, the French are confronted with Wellington's Secret Weapon...
February 24, 2013
I regret to say that up to now I've avoided Oman's history of the Peninsular War, partly through cost and partly because I'd class it a 'textbook', something to be dipped into to check a fact or two.
And that's exactly what this is. Oman writes clearly and concisely with much use of footnotes. Though he often criticises Napier's earlier work on the same subject he provides his reasons, mostly primary sources unavailable at the time Napier wrote.
I bought this for the author's views on Ocana, because there is no real history of this battle currently available in English (Napier gives little detail), and Bussaco, of which others have written.
If you're looking for a single-volume history of the war, stick with Charles Esdaile's
.
Otherwise, try this. I'll probably buy more volumes, but still give it 3 stars as textbooks aren't really my thing.
And that's exactly what this is. Oman writes clearly and concisely with much use of footnotes. Though he often criticises Napier's earlier work on the same subject he provides his reasons, mostly primary sources unavailable at the time Napier wrote.
I bought this for the author's views on Ocana, because there is no real history of this battle currently available in English (Napier gives little detail), and Bussaco, of which others have written.
If you're looking for a single-volume history of the war, stick with Charles Esdaile's
. Otherwise, try this. I'll probably buy more volumes, but still give it 3 stars as textbooks aren't really my thing.
August 16, 2015
Oman's masterwork, the complete 7 volume history of the Peninsula War, is still the yardstick by which all others are judged. This mega-epic is not for the faint-hearted, yet neither is it dull. It is well written, though the style both of the writing and the history are now somewhat dated. However it is not hard to read, and I found myself gripped especially by the middle volumes. It is clear, authoritative and well researched for its time, a work of scholarship as well as a good read for those who wish to understand the detail of this important conflict that changed the map of Europe and, ultimately, brought about Napoleon's downfall by sapping his Empire of both blood and treasure.
August 11, 2024
Still the best and best written account of the campaign. Each volume (and there are seven) is long and detailed but the pace rarely flags and. It is detailed, analytical and definitive, a prodigous work of scholarship and style
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews