Waterloo in 100 Objects

by Gareth Glover

Objects allow us to reach out and touch the past and they play a living role in history today. Through them we can come closer to the reality experienced by the soldiers who fought at Waterloo – that most iconic of all battles. Using stunning photography, rare objects from the Napoleonic era tell us their story of the battle. From the discomfort of the uniforms to the drama of the battle-drums echoing across the battlefield, by examining each object and its place in the Waterloo story, we reach a deeper understanding of what happened on the battlefield and its significance today. Gareth Glover takes us on fascinating journey through 100 objects, from the rare to the memorable, in a unique testimony to importance of the battle of Waterloo, 200 years on.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2015

Reviews

[Melissa McShane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written for the 200th anniversary of the battle, is like a catalog accompanying a museum exhibit if the book included all the exhibit pieces as well. It gets three stars solely because most of those objects were really interesting to look at. Some of them were irrelevant, and a couple weren't objects at all (were instead places of relevance). But I found the museum-exhibit aspect intriguing.

Less intriguing were the essays accompanying the "objects," some of which gave less-known and interesting details about the battle, but most of which were dull and occasionally speculative. And there were far too many that went along the lines of "it was this map that led Wellington to say his famous words, 'xyz.' Actually he never said that, ha ha, fooled you!" (That last bit may be my interpolation.) I don't mind debunking myth, but I object to having that myth stated as fact before being debunked. It felt like being jerked around.

If nothing else, this book is a reasonably good starting place for learning about Waterloo--at least, it's how I intend to use it. I'm curious about some of the objects presented here, and that's inspired me to dig deeper.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

A delightful book, that is an excellent accompaniment to any Napoleonic enthusiast. It is great to read of all of the individual heroic and poignant stories which really bring the battle to life and give a great sense of scale of one of the most important events in history. To see pictures of the objects being described really brings them to life and helped me to imagine all the individuals journeys which were taking place on 18th June 1815. I recommend it.

[Sebastian Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the venerable tradition started - as far as I know? - by the British Museum's exemplary History of the World in 100 Objects, the book I'm reviewing here today joins an ever growing assortment of similarly themed books on numerous historical subjects. Prolific Napoleonic author Gareth Glover notches up yet more titles, annexing ever more shelf-space, authoring several such books on Napoleonic matters himself, including this one. And there are also titles by other authors, on the Third Reich, and all sorts.

In this book the objects themselves range from the tiny - a looted silver fork - to the massive - castles, stately homes, even whole villages, towns or cities, that Arthur Wellesley had some connection with. From the obvious, like his boots or campaign cape, to the more obscure, like dentures, or the saw used to amputate Lord Uxbridge's leg.

And in the process of examining this wealth of material, which is frequently supplemented by other related stuff, we learn masses about not just the famed and celebrated victor of Waterloo, but his family, the times in which he lived, and the many and varied places his life story connects together. From the Congress of Vienna, to Napoleon's lonely and remote exile on St. Helena. From ancestral roots in Ireland, to nepotistic postings in India. And with his activities and interests connecting him with everywhere from the far-flung, such as to the Americas, to such near neighbours as Portugal, Spain and Northwest Europe.

Wellington doesn't have quite the same the mercurial mythological magnetism that Boney had, and continues to have. At the time of posting this review this book is listed as 'currently unavailable' on Amazon's UK website, unlike the pendant title, also by Glover, on Napoleon in 100 Objects. But, and especially so for the English, he is, and ought to be, someone we want to know more about. And this book does an admirable job of facilitating that.

[John Naylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good guide to the events of Waterloo based on objects concerning the Battle and the aftermath. It is good but not great. It lacks a lot of detail and some of the objects possibly had no connection to the battle. It does debunk a few myths about the battle but also engages in speculation about others.

It is a good start for anyone wanting to know a little more about the history of Waterloo. It just lacks a lot of depth.

[Tomasz Pietrzak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another valuable book. Recommended

Good idea, but too less artefacts, when too many monuments and buildings. Any way recommended for all interested in history of XVIII conflicts.

[Richard Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Historical context and personal stories combined in a wonderfully structured way.

[Chas Bayfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely this must be one of the best books ever to have graced the shelves of Tesco? I was lucky enough to have been given it for Father's Day in this, the anniversary year of the great battle. It's a hugely interesting read, and the accounts properly bring out the brutality and human cost of the battle. I loved the story of the French surgeon who Wellington told his troops not to fire at, the pillaging of teeth to make dentures, the women who accompanied their men to the battlefield and the cruel injustice that rewarded Waterloo vets and not those who had fought for years in the Peninsular. My only gripe is that Glover comes across as a bit dry: Waterloo in 100 Objects reads more like a textbook than a guidebook. Still, I know even more about the battle than I did after reading Jac Weller's 'Wellington at Waterloo' and am hugely grateful to Glover for putting this book together. I'm even more grateful to the thousands of long-forgotten men who gave their lives 200 years ago so others could enjoy freedom.

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good timing you have thought since the 200th anniversary of the famous battle (unknown to contestants on Pointless and yer current schoolkids apparently) was only last year. The re-enactment was as damp as the night before the battle and this book isn't much better.

I just don't see where it fits or why it was written.

It thinks it's offering something new, with these objects (a lot are buildings by the way) which are interesting but not not unknown or unseen. The prose is quality with small anecdotes accompanying the 'object'.

But I fail to see who this would appeal to. Experts on the battle will know all this, from the multitude of literature this battle has generated over the years and newcomers to the battle (which seems to be most of the current generation except my son) could not possibly glean the story of the battle from this.

There is a new book out which claims to bring forward a different view of the battle and this has far more potential than this effort.

Overrated.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Short snappy entries although some felt a bit random and "filler". But also some excellent choices but plagued by feeling that it was quickly put together and some elements of inane writing (mentions the marriage to a person for no apparent reason). Photography average bordering on shite.