Customer Reviews

The Rise Of Wellington

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"The Rise of Wellington" is a quality reprint of a 1895 biography of Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington, itself the book version of an extended article previously published in the Pall Mall Magazine.

The Duke of Wellington, famously victorious at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, is one of the premier military leaders in British and European history. His biographer in this instance was Lord Frederick Roberts, himself a winner of the Victoria Cross and one of the foremost British generals of the Victorian era. Roberts brings his considerable military background and expertise to this concise narrative of the military career of the Duke of Wellington.

Roberts divides his biography into three parts, covering Wellington's military and political apprenticeship in India during 1797-1805, his leadership of the British expeditionary force in Portugal and Spain against the Imperial French Army in 1808-1814, and his leadership of a combined Anglo-Dutch army against Napoleon himself during the Waterloo campaign of 1815.

Roberts summarizes the various campaigns and battles of each period in workmanlike fashion, but the real value of the narrative is his periodic analysis of Wellington as a commander. Roberts is well acquainted with the history and prepared to render honest judgement on Wellington's accomplishments and failings. His prose is simple, clear, and highly readable, and supported by a small selection of maps and sketch portraits.

"The Rise of Wellington" is highly recommended as an analysis of Wellington's generalship by another and very accomplished British general.