With Moore at Corunna: A Tale of the Pennisular War

by G.A. Henty, Walter Paget (Illustrator)

Historical novel, set in Portugal, during the Peninsular War, in which the British battled the armies of Napoleon.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult

Paperback

First published January 1, 1897

About the author

George Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.

Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This is a fun, light-hearted story, like most of Henty’s Irish-heroes books. Terence is an enjoyable hero, O’Grady is hilarious, and all the other officers help add to the humour. The many mentions of drinking/whiskey and smoking are very humorous, but they also remove a star, along with some lying and stealing. There are also a few euphemisms. With a little editing, though, it’s a very enjoyable story.

A Favourite Quote: “Ah, Terence, my heart's sore when I think what I said that evening after the fight at Rolica! I did not mean it altogether, but the words come home to me now. It is not for meself but for the poor boys that have gone. It was just thoughtlessness, but I would give me other arm not to have said those words.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You spake like King Solomon, Terence,” O'Grady said; “not that he can have known anything whatever about military matters.”
A roar of laughter greeted this very doubtful compliment.
“Thank you, O'Grady,” Terence said. “That is one of the prettiest speeches I have heard for a long time. I shall know where to come for a character.”

[Czarny Pies · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lesser work by the great proponent of the British Empire. Published at the end of the nineteenth century it offers readers in the twenty-first century a taste of British jingoism from when it was at its height.

[Gareth Madeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped that this book would be an adventure following the retreat to Corunna with Moore (funny that with this title) leading to the Battle of Corunna and embarking on ships to leave Northern Spain, which would lead to the regiment returning to Portugal in the next book "Under Wellington's Command". Moore is barely mentioned and Corunna is covered in about two chapters.

Our main character is Terrence O'Connor, a man so good that he is praised by everyone and he never gets anything wrong. He goes from not being in the army at all, as he is a year too young, with a father serving as Captain in an Irish regiment, to the rank of Colonel in less than a year. Most of the book is spent after Corunna where our Mary Sue has various adventures, including: a village choosing him to be their officer as they form a regiment because he's English [sic], and who immediately become the most disciplined regiment in the army; saving his cousin, who appears to fall in love with him; and managing to hold off an entire army with two battalions of infantry, no cavalry and no artillery.

The more I read, the more I felt that the book would be better served with O'Connor struggling with controlling his men, and having one simple goal for which he needed his men with a few struggles on the way. Possibly stumbling across a Spanish or Portuguese officer who teaches him some lessons in leadership. But wait, I've just described Sharpe's Rifles, which does the "separated from the army in the retreat to Corunna and has to work back to Portuguese border" much better.

[Viva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first 1/2 of a duology. I had read the 2nd book first a few years ago: Under Wellington's Command. A Tale of the Peninsular War. And this first book basically explained how everything led to the second book. Spoilers ahead.

Briefly Terence O'Connor was the son of a captain in the Mayo Fusiliers. When the battalion was called to the Iberian Peninsula Terence went with them as a volunteer. During the voyage there on an old transport ship, he proved himself to be quick thinking and resourceful, basically smarter than every adult on the ship. He manages to fend off a French privateer and even captures 2 French ships.

This quick thinking brings him to the attention of the general and he gets added to the staff. He becomes a messenger and while on an errand he takes command of two battalions of Portuguese militia who had rebelled against their leader.

With the help of 2 troopers and a Portuguese officer he trains the men into an effective fighting unit. He is able to keep independent command of the unit and gets promoted to colonel. Through his eyes we see most of Wellington's early campaign in Iberia. In a way it's refreshing to read an uncensored version of the Peninsular War without any holdbacks and worries about offending people. Such was the time when this book was written. Anyway, a good yarn and a time capsule book in many senses of the word.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a combination of Jim Hawkins and Sharpe. An improbable tale told very well at the end of the 1800's by a writer who probably was raised by his father and grandfather on tales of the Peninsular War. I am now going to read the next one. The Peninsular War is of particular interest to me. I have never, outside of the Sharpe books, read anything that has the details embedded in a story so thoroughly.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story written in the late 1800s. A description of the British Army at the beginning of the Peninsular Campaign. If You're a fan of Cornwell's 'Richard Sharpe' series, you'll probably appreciate this one - I did!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Henty book