The Iron Duke: A military biography of Wellington

by Lawrence James

“Lord Wellington donâ t know how to lose a battle.â This view of a soldier at Waterloo became the judgment of the world on the man who was hailed as the first general of his age. At Waterloo, Wellington defeated Napoleon, the master of war, finally checking the disruptive forces of the French Revolution that had troubled Europe for over two decades. He taught himself the art of war in India, where his hard-fought victories helped lay the foundations of the British Raj. His armies liberated Portugal and Spain, shattered the myth of French invincibility, and inspired the people of Europe to oppose Napoleon. Largely drawn from original sources, this first-rate biography follows the life of Wellington the soldier, explaining how he waged war, how he inspired the men he commanded, and how he brought peace to Europe.

Genres: History, Biography

Hardcover

First published March 12, 1992

About the author

Edwin James Lawrence, most commonly known as Lawrence James, is an English historian and writer.

James graduated with a BA in English & History from the University of York in 1966, and subsequently undertook a research degree at Merton College, Oxford. Following a career as a teacher, James became a full-time writer in 1985.

James has written several works of popular history about the British Empire, and has contributed pieces for Daily Mail, The Times and the Literary Review.

Reviews

[John Plowright · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Iron Duke’ by Lawrence James is subtitled ‘A Military Biography of Wellington’ and moves with great alacrity in the first chapter through his family and personal history prior to his being commissioned as an ensign, whilst the book’s last chapter serves to tell the entire story post-Waterloo. Roman Catholic Emancipation and the Great Reform Act together receive less space than commemorations of the final defeat of Napoleon and the 1828 Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts (which paved the way for Catholic Emancipation) is not mentioned at all, although one can’t really complain in what is avowedly a military biography which concerns itself with Wellington’s political interests “only … when they were interwoven with his activities as a general."

James’s Bibliography is rather more puzzling. There is, of course, a very considerable literature on Wellington and particularly on Waterloo, but the absence of any reference to the work of Richard Holmes (‘Wellington: The Iron Duke’); Andrew Roberts (‘Napoleon and Wellington’ and ‘Waterloo: Napoleon’s Last Gamble’), R. E. Foster (‘Wellington and Waterloo’) and the various books by Rory Muir seems a little surprising, given that the bibliography is not described as a select one.

If these authors are not name-checked because too ‘popular’ or ‘slight’ how on earth does one account for the omission of any reference to John Keegan’s ‘The Face of Battle’ (where Waterloo features as one of the three battles studied) or his ‘The Mask of Command’ (where Wellington is one of the four commanders examined)?

Having said that, James does a very good job of presenting Wellington as a first-rate military commander who exhibited calmness of mind under pressure, communicated his orders to his subordinates with exemplary clarity, showed courage under fire and also commanded the respect of his troops by showing concern for their welfare, notwithstanding their comprising “the scum of the earth”.

What one has here then is a one-volume history of Wellington’s generalship which despite any shortcomings it may have clearly knocks Elizabeth Longford’s ‘Wellington; Years of the Sword’ into a bicorne hat.

[Robin Braysher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fair to say I've read a lot about Wellington, the Peninsula and Waterloo over the past 50 years, but there's always room for one more book! I was not familiar with this one, found in a second hand bookshop, but I'm pleased to have discovered it. It's a cracking trot through the great Duke's military career - and gives due attention to the early Flanders and Indian campaigns - and puts it (and him) into its political and social context. Not uncritical, it highlights his genius and covers key topics such as intelligence and logistics comprehensively for such a modest volume. The book contains a good selection of illustrations and is well supplied with maps which, much to my delight, have arrows! I suspect this is a book I will return to.

[Rupert Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good introduction to the career of the great Duke of Wellington. It covers all his battles and campaigns - not just the famous ones - and explains how his early political ambitions intruded into his growing military career. Also it explains the role of his brothers properly, something I had not previously really understood. That said it gives very little space to his personal life or his activities away from the army. His wife and children get about a page in all, for instance. Never mind. I really enjoyed it. If you want to have an outline of the military career of this great general, this is the book to go for.

[Daniela Kraml · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Iron Duke is called a military biography of Wellington, but it is much more. First of all it is very well written and highly entertaining, but secondly, although it is preoccupied with Wellingtons military carrer you also get a lot of information about social history, etc.
Thanks to netgalley.com for an ARC.

[Matt Boak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, although as a military biog brushes over too much information to be an outstanding account.

Also found the peiod between end of peninsular campaign and the battle of waterloo to be rushed through. Comes across as a half written, hurried school essay. In particular having french quotes with no english translation is very annoying!!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gallop, not a trot. A good overview of Wellington’s military art but not a detailed series of battle descriptions. It does have good narrative pace and serves well as an introductory volume on the subject.

[Colin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the explanation of the gentleman social class. I didn’t know about Lord Wellington’s career up to Waterloo, which the book describes well and briefly. I liked the authors focus on the political background of Waterloo, rather than simply the battle, which I assume the author takes as general knowledge. I think the author shows undue bias and belittles French military achievement during the Napoleonic wars.