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Salamanca 1812: el triunfo de Wellington
Barcelona. 24 cm. 394 p., [16] p. de lám. Encuadernación en tapa dura de editorial ilustrada. Muir, Rory 1962-. Salamanca en 1812. Traducción de Blanca Ribera de Madariaga. Bibliografía: p. [381]-392. Traducción de: Salamanca 1812. Wellington, Arthur Wellesley,. Duke of. Liderazgo militar. Batalla de los Arapiles, 1812 .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. ISBN: 9788447353538
Hardcover
First published September 10, 2001
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About the author
Rory Muir
15 books33 followersRory Muir is a visiting research fellow at the University of Adelaide and a renowned expert on British history. His books include Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon and his two-part biography of Wellington, which won the SAHR Templer Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2024
"Wellington had gained more than a reputation in India: he had learnt to plan a campaign with unusual thoroughness, to handle an army under difficult conditions and to seize a fleeting opportunity to strike hard at the enemy."pg 36
Rory Muir is a great historian and author in my opinion. He can produce scholarly material while tailoring the narrative as needed. His two-volume biographical set on Duke of Wellington was very detailed and informative; this was very technical and specific. He provided a plethora of British and French supporting evidence: letters from archival sources, hand-drawn maps, diagrams of unit formations and maps of attack maneuverings, written correspondence from the battlefield and paraphrase & quotes from journals leading up to, the day of, and the aftermath of 22 July 1812.
The battle at Salamanca was a pivotal battle during the Peninsular War (1808-14). The ongoing war on the Iberian Peninsula was comprised of an allied Anglo-Portuguese combatant command fighting against the French. The book was an analysis of the battle but also comparative of thr ordinary soldiers on both sides, examinations of each side of fighting, and the command-level decisions.
Even in the midst of his narrative he acknowledges shortcomings from a research perspective: speculation, lack of eyewitness accounts, unwarranted assumptions and writes "we must admit that there is much that we do not know." pg 104
Overall this was a heavily detailed read about a lesser known battle during the Napoleonic Wars. I would recommend is to anyone interested in this topic. Thanks!
Rory Muir is a great historian and author in my opinion. He can produce scholarly material while tailoring the narrative as needed. His two-volume biographical set on Duke of Wellington was very detailed and informative; this was very technical and specific. He provided a plethora of British and French supporting evidence: letters from archival sources, hand-drawn maps, diagrams of unit formations and maps of attack maneuverings, written correspondence from the battlefield and paraphrase & quotes from journals leading up to, the day of, and the aftermath of 22 July 1812.
The battle at Salamanca was a pivotal battle during the Peninsular War (1808-14). The ongoing war on the Iberian Peninsula was comprised of an allied Anglo-Portuguese combatant command fighting against the French. The book was an analysis of the battle but also comparative of thr ordinary soldiers on both sides, examinations of each side of fighting, and the command-level decisions.
The French may not have displayed the tactical flexibility, verve and high morale of Napoleon's army at its very best, but the employed line, column, and square as appropriate, manoeuvred rapidly and generally showed considerable spirit both in attack and defense, although their skirmishes were rather disappointing ...there is no doubt the Anglo-Portuguese infantry of Wellington's army proved their superiority in the battle. His doubts about his infantry were unfounded: they were as effective in attack as when standing on the defensive, being robust, combative, confident, and yet disciplined. pg 213Each chapter was a dissected portion of the battle followed by a commentary where Muir evaluated the sources and indicated the inevitable contradictions and gaps found as evidence during his research.
Even in the midst of his narrative he acknowledges shortcomings from a research perspective: speculation, lack of eyewitness accounts, unwarranted assumptions and writes "we must admit that there is much that we do not know." pg 104
Overall this was a heavily detailed read about a lesser known battle during the Napoleonic Wars. I would recommend is to anyone interested in this topic. Thanks!
December 15, 2012
Rory Muir's new title in the field of Napoleonic history, Salamanca 1812, is another one of his brilliant efforts. After his previous two books, Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon (which won the best book of the year award of the International Napoleonic Society) and Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon, its good to see that he has returned with another great Napoleonic title.
This account, which covers one of the great battles of the Peninsular War, provides the reader with an excellent narrative of the events leading up to the battle of Salamanca in 1812, the battle itself and the aftermath. The author has taken a novel approach in this book by splitting each chapter (thirteen in all) into two sections. The main section of each chapter tells the story of the battle and events related to it. The author uses numerous first-hand accounts, from both sides of the fighting, to give the reader a feel for the fighting as experienced by the participants.
The second section of each chapter takes a more in-depth look at the numerous sources available on the battle in question, many well know and a few lesser-known authors as well. The rational behind this is the author's attempt to answer many of the controversies that have arisen over time in relation to the battle. He uses numerous sources to flesh out the questions and problems and offers answers based on a logical appreciation of the known facts.
This format (two sections per chapter) does not detract from your reading pleasure; in fact if you do not wish to read the 'commentary section' you will not lose anything. If you wish to delve further into the conflict or try to find answers to certain questions then you can do so without fear that the narrative is going to get confusing.
The book is 322 pages in length with numerous maps which were of a decent standard and easy to follow. There are a number of Appendixes (5 in total) covering Allied and French strength and losses along with a mini tour guide of the battlefield as it is today. The book also has a number of black and white photographs; many take of the battlefield by the author.
Overall this is a decent account of an interesting and significant Peninsular War battle written by one of the leading authors on the subject of the Napoleonic Wars. I am sure that many Napoleonic buffs will enjoy this account.
This account, which covers one of the great battles of the Peninsular War, provides the reader with an excellent narrative of the events leading up to the battle of Salamanca in 1812, the battle itself and the aftermath. The author has taken a novel approach in this book by splitting each chapter (thirteen in all) into two sections. The main section of each chapter tells the story of the battle and events related to it. The author uses numerous first-hand accounts, from both sides of the fighting, to give the reader a feel for the fighting as experienced by the participants.
The second section of each chapter takes a more in-depth look at the numerous sources available on the battle in question, many well know and a few lesser-known authors as well. The rational behind this is the author's attempt to answer many of the controversies that have arisen over time in relation to the battle. He uses numerous sources to flesh out the questions and problems and offers answers based on a logical appreciation of the known facts.
This format (two sections per chapter) does not detract from your reading pleasure; in fact if you do not wish to read the 'commentary section' you will not lose anything. If you wish to delve further into the conflict or try to find answers to certain questions then you can do so without fear that the narrative is going to get confusing.
The book is 322 pages in length with numerous maps which were of a decent standard and easy to follow. There are a number of Appendixes (5 in total) covering Allied and French strength and losses along with a mini tour guide of the battlefield as it is today. The book also has a number of black and white photographs; many take of the battlefield by the author.
Overall this is a decent account of an interesting and significant Peninsular War battle written by one of the leading authors on the subject of the Napoleonic Wars. I am sure that many Napoleonic buffs will enjoy this account.
November 14, 2015
An excellent book about about one of Wellington' s Peninsular battles. I had never read much about the Spanish battles because I prefer the Portuguese campaigns, but I found this book to be of great interest. The maps are good, and the narrative easy to follow. I wish now that I had spent more time in the Salamanca area when I had the chance. 4.5 stars
September 21, 2017
The new standard for great Battle analysis! Explores and explains all the contentious issues and sorts out what really happened. This is how historians should operate
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January 26, 2026Brazy om te denken dat wij via hier elk jaar naar Marokko gingen. Ik heb de kastelen kunnen zien en ze zijn wel cool. Inmiddels is het wel een dode stad, zelfs de night life is absent...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews