The Napoleonic Wars (3)
The Peninsular War 1807–1814
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About this book
Napoleon's occupation of the Iberian peninsula embroiled him in a protracted and costly war against British, Spanish and Portuguese forces ultimately led by one of history's greatest commanders -- the Duke of Wellington. Yet it also introduced a new dimension to warfare, for Napoleon's 'Spanish ulcer' became a bitter seven-year struggle against peoples inflamed by nationalism. Thus, while Wellington achieved successive victories in open battle, a parallel guerrilla war exacted a heavy toll of its own on the invaders. No mere sideshow to the other campaigns of the period, the Peninsular War made a significant contribution to Napoleon's eventual downfall.
Contents
Introduction · Chronology · Background to war: Perennial foes - Britain, France and Spain · Warring sides: Opposing forces · Outbreak: Origins of the conflict· The fighting: A war of contrasts · Portrait of a soldier: Private Edward Costello, 95th Rifles · The world around war: The artistic works of Francisco Goya · Portrait of a civilian: George Canning · How the war ended: Anti-climax - the campaign of 1814 · Conclusion and consequences: Losses, lessons and legacy
Paperback; March 2002; 96 pages; ISBN: 9781841763705