Wellington's Generals (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

Michael Barthorp (Author), Richard Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: October 25, 1990

Wellington's commanders were undoubtedly a breed apart. Among these heroes were cavalry officer Henry Paget, who kept the French horses from the heels of the retreating British infantry with a dashing charge at Benavente, and Thomas Picton, who concealed his injuries from his men while commanding to his last breath. This book examines the command and staff system of Wellington's army during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), and the background, character and war records of his commanding officers. Numerous illustrations, including eight full colour plates, depict the officers' uniforms in vivid detail.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

Michael Barthorp was educated at Wellington College and was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in 1946. Demobilized in 1948, he served as a Territorial with the Royal Hampshire Regiment before rejoining the regular army in the Northamptonshire Regiment to continue a family tradition, ending his career with the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1968. He has since published numerous books on the history and costume of the British Army, including nine titles in the Men-at-Arms series. He lives in the Channel Islands.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 25, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850452996
• ISBN-13: 978-0850452990
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Give me more detail., August 15, 2009

By 

David Wilkin (La Habra Heights, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wellington's Generals (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

Osprey books are sometimes chalk full of information, and other times skimpy on what you need. They are always full of pictures, which seems to be the reason for existence. Painting guides for miniature enthusiasts.

Here we have a small sampling of the Generals that served in the Peninsula campaign and at Waterloo. We find that just a few details are related where we don't expect full chapters devoted to the biographies of these men as we would get in Delderfield's Napoleon's Marshalls. Something is truly lacking in the descriptions.

I can only think of one, Paget (senior), where his personal life was described only in that he ran off with Wellington's sister-in-law and therefore did not serve on the Peninsula despite being more able than many another from when Wellington took over command after Moore's death until Waterloo. Graham of course is discussed since his wife's casket's ill treatment at the hands of the Republicans turn him into a warrior.

Otherwise we have the date the men were born, when they entered service, some brief, a sentence or two, of exposition on what they did before the Peninsula and serving Wellington. Then we have a great deal more, some paragraphs on the role they played, the units they led, the battles they fought in during the war. And one short paragraph of their life after the war (Many seemed to die in the year 1842...)

Thus where this book is at fault is that a man is more than what regiment and battle he served in and fought at. The book finishes at 40 pages and several pages describe the plates that are drawn. It leads you back to believe that the book is just for painters of miniatures. If it was twice its length, then perhaps we might have something worthwhile.