Wellington's Rifles: Six Years to Waterloo with England's Legendary Sharpshooters - Hardcover

Urban, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802714374 ISBN 13: 9780802714374

Publisher: Walker Books, 2004

Synopsis

A nineteenth-century Band of Brothers

The 95th Rifles was one of history's great fighting units, and Mark Urban brings them and the Napoleonic War gloriously to life in this unique chronicle. Focusing especially on six soldiers in the first battalion, Urban tells the Rifles' story from May 25, 1809, when they shipped out to join Wellington's army in Spain, through the battle of Waterloo in June 1815. Drawing on diaries, letters, and other personal accounts, Urban has fashioned a vivid narrative that allows readers to feel the thrill and horror of famous battles, the hardship of the march across Europe, the bravery and camaraderie of a nineteenthcentury Band of Brothers whose innovative tactics created the modern notion of infantryman.

About this title

About the Author

Mark Urban is the Diplomatic Editor of the BBC's "Newsnight" and a former defense correspondent for the Independent. He is the author of The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes. He lives in London, England.

Reviews

Remaining in the same historical arena covered by his previous book, The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes (2002), an account of the duke of Wellington's spymaster, Urban profiles the 95th Rifles. This regiment in Wellington's army participated in most of the battles of the Peninsular War of 1809-14, and Urban recounts its actions and losses in Wellington's campaigns against the French in Spain. Most of all, in addition to the battle narratives, Urban is intent on developing the experience of soldiering, done through close looks at several privates and officers of the 95th. And since the 95th owns a dashing, intrepid popular reputation and is believed to be the basis of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series (e.g., Sharpe's Escape [BKL F 1 04]), Urban includes the historical correctives of describing unflattering aspects of warfare from which the 95th was not immune, such as panic in battle, desertion, and pillaging. Not neglecting the class system that affected promotions, Urban successfully rounds out the character of this notable unit and achieves an authoritative history. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802714374
• ISBN 13: 9780802714374
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368