Rifles [Hardcover]

Mark Urban (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2003

As part of the Light Division created to act as the advance guard of Wellington's army, the 95th Rifles are the first into battle and the last out. Fighting, thieving and raping their way across Europe, they are clearly no ordinary troops. The 95th are in fact the first British soldiers to take aim at their targets, to take cover when being shot at, to move tactically by fire and manoeuvre. And by the end of a six-year campaign they have not only proved themselves the toughest fighters in the army, they have also - at huge personal cost - created the modern notion of the infantryman.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'If you like Sharpe, then this book is a must, your Christmas present solved.' Bernard Cornwell, Daily Mail 'A brilliant warts-and-all depiction of Wellington's famous riflemen.' Daily Telegraph --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (October 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571216803
• ISBN-13: 978-0571216802
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,690,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Legendary Sharpshooters, August 27, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rifles (Paperback)

Mark Urban is a well known and well respected journalist. He has covered many wars in his role both as a newspaper and television journalist and has written several books including `The SAS and the Secret Struggle against the IRA,' and more recently the best seller `The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes.' For anyone with an interest in British military history this book is a must read.

For any readers who enjoy the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell, this is the chance to read about the real thing as Mark Urban recounts the story of the 95th rifles, the regiment that provided the Duke of Wellington with his crack troops. These were the first riflemen to actually aim at their target. In the past riflemen had basically fired in volleys in the general direction of the enemy and just hoped that they hit someone or something.

These men are not the typical soldiers that were around at the time. They fight tactically and maneouvre. They are a complete new breed of men, creating what is the modern idea of the British infantryman.

The book is not some dour historical tome, but a vibrant, interesting insight into life in the British Army at the time of Wellington's greatest triumphs.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience life in the 95th Rifles, November 26, 2009

By 

Iron Mike (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rifles (Paperback)

I read the hardcover edition while on deployment overseas and could not put it down. I became interested with the soldiers and tactics of the 95th Rifles after watching "Sharpes Rifles" on PBS.

Urban's research and writing style superbly captures the life and campaigns of the British Rifleman during the Napoleonic Wars. As a career soldier, I saw many similiarities with the trials and dangers faced by these soldiers and those of today. The weapons have changed, but many of the the hardships remain. Their tactical deployment and experiences have become the foundations of today's modern infantry.

I highly recommend this book to historians, military buffs, Sharpe's series fans and anyone who wants to read a true "ripping good yarn".

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 13, 2011

By 

War Movie Fan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rifles (Paperback)

The book, Rifles, by Mark Urban is great. It is very well written and easy to read. It also has all the right information on the peninsular war any fan could want. It tells the overall story of the war clearly, but also gives a interesting account from all the major men and officers blended in very well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes history.