Brassey's Almanac

The Peninsular War
Philip Haythornwaite

Oh God! Not another volume on the Peninsular!

Well that was my initial thought. I regard the Wars in Spain as one of my main areas of interest, but even I wonder just how many more books the market can stand. The problem is that there is so little new information or original research emerging, and there are only so many ways that the same information can be presented.

So I was rather disinclined towards this small volume form the pen of the Napoleonic Wars most prolific and well known writers. Which as it turns out was unfair. This is a very handy work, which collates a large amount of information that will be of interest to the wargamer, and although not presenting any new information it does include reminders of the exploits of some of the lesser known characters involved in the war.

The first section is a background and chronology of the war which is brief but comprehensive. The second section is a who's who of the war giving a brief review of the main characters and impact on the War in the Peninsular. The information on the armies and their organisation contains little information that will not be familiar, but will certainly be of interest to the newcomer, and the Orders of Battle are always useful.

All in all a useful little book, packed with information for the newcomer or casual reader on the subject, but not I am afraid much of a find for the committed Napoleonic buff. Hardback, 248 pages, price £20

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