Salamanca, 1812

One of the frustrating things about the Peninsular War is, for all of the popular history written about it, there remain few in-depth academic analyses of specific battles. Muir's book is therefore a very welcome exception. It's well done, takes the battle neatly stage-by-stage in bite sized chunks and is an easy read. The narrative-then explanatory notes style is just about bearable, and while he is obviously trying to make a point about the scantiness and contradictory nature of some the the source material, after a while this point wears a bit thin - after all, isn't it a historian's job to help us, the reader overcome these issues? All up, though, a worthwhile read, particularly if you plan to visit the battlefield itself, for puropse which I would consider it by far the best background reading available. He even gives you good directions to help find your way around what is otherwise a nicely-unspolied, and therefore completely uninterpreted, field.

Interesting Account of a Peninsular Battle (21/21 people found this helpful)

Rory Muir's new title in the field of Napoleonic history, 'Salamanca 1812', is another one of his brilliant efforts. After his previous two books, 'Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon' (which won the best book of the year award of the International Napoleonic Society) and 'Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon' its good to see that he has returned with another great Napoleonic title.

This account, which covers one of the great battles of the Peninsular War, provides the reader with an excellent narrative of the events leading up to the battle of Salamanca in 1812, the battle itself and the aftermath. The author has taken a novel approach in this book by splitting each chapter (thirteen in all) into two sections. The main section of each chapter tells the story of the battle and events related to it. The author uses numerous first-hand accounts, from both sides of the fighting, to give the reader a feel for the fighting as experienced by the participants.

The second section of each chapter takes a more in-depth look at the numerous sources available on the battle in question, many well know and a few lesser-known authors as well. The rational behind this is the author's attempt to answer many of the controversies that have arisen over time in relation to the battle. He uses numerous sources to flesh out the questions and problems and offers answers based on a logical appreciation of the known facts.

This format (two sections per chapter) does not detract from your reading pleasure; in fact if you do not wish to read the 'commentary section' you will not lose anything. If you wish to delve further into the conflict or try to find answers to certain questions then you can do so without fear that the narrative is going to get confusing.

The book is 322 pages in length with numerous maps which were of a decent standard and easy to follow. There are a number of Appendixes (5 in total) covering Allied and French strength and losses along with a mini tour guide of the battlefield as it is today. The book also has a number of black and white photographs; many take of the battlefield by the author.

Overall this is a decent account of an interesting and significant Peninsular War battle written by one of the leading authors on the subject of the Napoleonic Wars. I am sure that many Napoleonic buffs will enjoy this account.

Rory Muir

Reader Reviews:

One of the best detailed accounts of a Pennisular War battle (1/2 people found this helpful)

Interesting Account of a Peninsular Battle (21/21 people found this helpful)

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