Napoleon's War in Spain French Peninsular Campaigns, 1807-14

 

Lavishly illustrated in colour and black-and-white, Napoleon's War in Spain captures the drama of one of Napoleon's most costly campaigns. Beginning in Portugal in 1807 and ending at the Battle of Toulouse in the spring of 1814, the campaign in Spain and Portugal is a notable example of a war in which the population of a nation pitted itself against the tyranny of an army of occupation. In fact, this campaign was the precursor of the modern `wars of liberation'Fought over seven long and bloody years, the Peninsular War was a running sore for the French, in terms of both men and money. .It is often regarded as a sideshow to the main action in the rest of Europe, but at various times between 150,000 and 300,000 French soldiers were tied down by a 50,000-strong British army and perhaps as many more British trained and equipped Portuguese regulars. In fact, the outcome of this campaign, coupled with the long-term effects it had on French resources, contributed more to the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte than any other single factor. Bedevilled by the dynamism of Arthur Wellesley, effective Spanish and Portuguese guerrilla forces and the harsh climate and terrain of the region, the French armies were bled dry. And with poor logistics, and the guiding genius of Napoleon absent except for one brief campaign, the French forces were out on a limb.Napoleon's War in Spain presents a French account of this long and bitterly - contested struggle, with typically Gallic gusto and, for those already familiar with the subject, this volume will give a refreshingly new perspective. The lively text is complemented by 24 pages in full colour, showing uniforms, plus over 400 black-and-white illustrations of personalities and battle scenes.

 

Henry Lachouque

Hardcover large format with d/w 191pp. Arms & Armour Press 1982 1st Ed.

 

Fine/Near Fine

Book Code:  SH3499