Hougoumont : The Key to Victory at Waterloo

Saunders, Derek, Paget, Julian

ISBN 10: 0850523419 / ISBN 13: 9780850523416

Published by Pen & Sword Books Limited, 1992

About this Item

Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.

Seller Inventory # 57712698-20

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Hougoumont : The Key to Victory at Waterloo
• Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0850523419
• ISBN 13: 9780850523416
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 0.66 pounds

About this title

Synopsis

If asked to name the most famous battle ever fought, most people would almost certainly say "Waterloo." But very few would mention, or even know of, Hougoumont; yet Wellington himself declared that "the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo rested upon the closing of the gates at Hougoumont."
The defence of the chateau and farm of Hougoumont against heavy odds in fighting that continued all day was indeed the key to victory at Waterloo. Had Hougoumont not held out, Blucher's Prussians might well have arrived too late to save the day. Yet the dramatic story of this 'battle within a battle' has never been told until now. Julian Paget combines his skills as a military historian and a battlefield guide to provide a vivid account of the bitter fighting at Hougoumont on 18th June 1815. The book is written in collaboration with Derek Saunders, who has made a lifetime study of Hougoumont; it contains 7 maps and 17 illustrations, and appendices giving useful background information. There is also a chapter on what to look for and look at when visiting Hougoumont today, making it a valuable guide book as well as an authoritative account of events.

About the Author

Colonel Sir Julian Paget is an author and historian.