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All the King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo
"The British soldier," wrote a Prussian officer who served with Wellington, "is vigorous, well fed, by nature highly brave and intrepid, trained to the most vigorous discipline, and admirably well armed... These circumstances explain how this army ... has never yet been defeated in the field."
From the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the Downfall of Napoleon in 1815, Britain won a series of major wars against France that enabled her to lay the foundations of a global empire. By Waterloo, she was the paramount maritime and industrial power in the world, and would remain so for much of the nineteenth century.
This is the story of that extraordinary century and a half of martial success and the people who made it possible: the soldier-kings William III and the first two Georges; the generals Marlborough, Wolfe, Moore and Wellington; and the ordinary British redcoats who - despite harsh service conditions that included low pay, poor housing, inadequate food and brutal discipline - rarely let their commanders down in battles as far afield as Blenheim, Plassey, Quebec and Waterloo.
499 pages of narrative, 573 pages in total
From the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the Downfall of Napoleon in 1815, Britain won a series of major wars against France that enabled her to lay the foundations of a global empire. By Waterloo, she was the paramount maritime and industrial power in the world, and would remain so for much of the nineteenth century.
This is the story of that extraordinary century and a half of martial success and the people who made it possible: the soldier-kings William III and the first two Georges; the generals Marlborough, Wolfe, Moore and Wellington; and the ordinary British redcoats who - despite harsh service conditions that included low pay, poor housing, inadequate food and brutal discipline - rarely let their commanders down in battles as far afield as Blenheim, Plassey, Quebec and Waterloo.
499 pages of narrative, 573 pages in total
499 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2012
22 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Saul David
53 books176 followersSAUL DAVID was born in Monmouth in 1966 and educated at Ampleforth College and Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities (History MA and PhD).
An expert in the wars of the Victorian period, he began writing his first history book when he was twenty-five and has since completed eight more. They include: The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan (1997), a critically-acclaimed biography of the man who led the Charge of the Light Brigade; The Indian Mutiny:1857 (2002), shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature; Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 (2004), a Waterstone's Military History Book of the Year; and the bestselling Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire (2006). In 2007 he signed a three book deal with Hodder & Stoughton to write a series of historical novels set in the late Victorian period. The first, Zulu Hart, was published on 5 March 2009 to critical acclaim with The Times describing it as a 'rattling good yarn' with 'a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money'. He is currently writing a history of the British Army.
An expert in the wars of the Victorian period, he began writing his first history book when he was twenty-five and has since completed eight more. They include: The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan (1997), a critically-acclaimed biography of the man who led the Charge of the Light Brigade; The Indian Mutiny:1857 (2002), shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature; Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 (2004), a Waterstone's Military History Book of the Year; and the bestselling Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire (2006). In 2007 he signed a three book deal with Hodder & Stoughton to write a series of historical novels set in the late Victorian period. The first, Zulu Hart, was published on 5 March 2009 to critical acclaim with The Times describing it as a 'rattling good yarn' with 'a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money'. He is currently writing a history of the British Army.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 5, 2025
Regaining Form
The story of the British redcoat from the their birth in the restoration period of Charles II to their finest hour in the Battle of Waterloo. It is an epic journey of four campaigns and three great generals. The War of Spanish Succession and the coalition under John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, The Seven Years War and General James Wolfe, The American War of Independence and finally The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars with Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Although All the King’s Men is not the full tale of the ‘redcoat’, Saul David’s other books; Victoria’s Wars, The Indian Mutiny and Zulu, carry the story further; this is the story of Britain verses France in an epic struggle of the modern era. The old foe who the British had been sparring with for a millennia came to a climax of total war and world domination during this period.
David’s narrative begins in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Charles II has just regained the throne ousting Richard Cromwell’s limp government. It is in this wake of a devastated country that he established the Coldstream Guards, the Army’s oldest regiment reuniting old enemies. The men of the Cromwellian New Model Army and Royalist officers. From there the titans of British military history of the age are followed, Malborough, perhaps England’s greatest ever general, Wolfe, who died too young and had he lived may have held his own statue in the pantheon of British greats and then the most famous of them all, the Anglo-Irish Duke of Wellington. As David shows the army merged the absolute top and complete bottom of British society. Officers having purchased their position felt that they should not have to work, whilst those in the ranks, had little other choice but to join. Treated not much better than slaves, ‘the scum of the earth’, they lived off low rations, pitiful wages and consistent danger. Most were forgotten after they were discharged.
All of this races towards the climax of the Battle of Waterloo. British’s last clash with France and the destruction of Napoleon, which marked the end of any French hegemony over Europe or the world. The lessons learned with the defeats of the American War of Independence taught the redcoat how to fight and win. King George III’s son the Duke of York wasn’t a great commander, but he instilled some vital reforms which meant that Waterloo could happen and Wellington’s army wouldn’t be swept aside. For David, Waterloo was always a joint effort, for Wellington to hold and Gebhard von Blücher to attack the right flank of the French. After this, the eighteen century ended and warfare would develop again. Britain would fight only colonial wars until the Crimean War of 1853-6, and then not until 1914. By this time the famous red costs were let on the parade ground. Khaki had set in.
The perspective combines both a ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approach, explaining the war, politics, military weaponry, terrain and tactics alongside the voices of the ordinary soldier. This for me left an all round sense of what it was like to be a redcoat in this period. All the King’s Men stays neutral and lies within the facts. It’s a great read and David is an easy (and by no means dumbed down) to read author. I really enjoyed the journey which shows how the redcoat was form and then developed to the Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo.I will read this again.
The story of the British redcoat from the their birth in the restoration period of Charles II to their finest hour in the Battle of Waterloo. It is an epic journey of four campaigns and three great generals. The War of Spanish Succession and the coalition under John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, The Seven Years War and General James Wolfe, The American War of Independence and finally The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars with Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Although All the King’s Men is not the full tale of the ‘redcoat’, Saul David’s other books; Victoria’s Wars, The Indian Mutiny and Zulu, carry the story further; this is the story of Britain verses France in an epic struggle of the modern era. The old foe who the British had been sparring with for a millennia came to a climax of total war and world domination during this period.
David’s narrative begins in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Charles II has just regained the throne ousting Richard Cromwell’s limp government. It is in this wake of a devastated country that he established the Coldstream Guards, the Army’s oldest regiment reuniting old enemies. The men of the Cromwellian New Model Army and Royalist officers. From there the titans of British military history of the age are followed, Malborough, perhaps England’s greatest ever general, Wolfe, who died too young and had he lived may have held his own statue in the pantheon of British greats and then the most famous of them all, the Anglo-Irish Duke of Wellington. As David shows the army merged the absolute top and complete bottom of British society. Officers having purchased their position felt that they should not have to work, whilst those in the ranks, had little other choice but to join. Treated not much better than slaves, ‘the scum of the earth’, they lived off low rations, pitiful wages and consistent danger. Most were forgotten after they were discharged.
All of this races towards the climax of the Battle of Waterloo. British’s last clash with France and the destruction of Napoleon, which marked the end of any French hegemony over Europe or the world. The lessons learned with the defeats of the American War of Independence taught the redcoat how to fight and win. King George III’s son the Duke of York wasn’t a great commander, but he instilled some vital reforms which meant that Waterloo could happen and Wellington’s army wouldn’t be swept aside. For David, Waterloo was always a joint effort, for Wellington to hold and Gebhard von Blücher to attack the right flank of the French. After this, the eighteen century ended and warfare would develop again. Britain would fight only colonial wars until the Crimean War of 1853-6, and then not until 1914. By this time the famous red costs were let on the parade ground. Khaki had set in.
The perspective combines both a ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approach, explaining the war, politics, military weaponry, terrain and tactics alongside the voices of the ordinary soldier. This for me left an all round sense of what it was like to be a redcoat in this period. All the King’s Men stays neutral and lies within the facts. It’s a great read and David is an easy (and by no means dumbed down) to read author. I really enjoyed the journey which shows how the redcoat was form and then developed to the Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo.I will read this again.
June 7, 2020
An okay book, purportedly a history of the British Army from the Restoration through to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. In reality, this is a book about British military conflicts in the “Long 18th Century,” centered on the lives of three major figures: Marlborough, Howe (The Younger), and Wellington. Their major campaigns (Blenheim for Marlborough; Quebec for Howe; and India, The Peninsula, and Waterloo for Wellington) are discussed in detail, leaving little time for many other interesting and important events. (The Great Siege of Gibraltar, probably the best example of the British Army’s talent for defense, isn’t even mentioned.). Occasionally the role of the British soldier and the evolution of the British Army is pulled in to help flesh out the story. But the book spends just as much time explaining the political backgrounds of the campaigns as it does describing the lives of the British Redcoats who actually made the history. This is not to say the book is uninformative, it has one of the most succinct descriptions of the situation in India faced by Wellington while the story of the Blenheim Campaign certainly filled a gap in my historical knowledge. But the book is definitely not about the British Redcoat himself, except in passing. I’d recommend Holmes’ “Redcoat” for a more soldier centric history. This book is a good reference for understanding the thread of Britain’s military campaigns from the time of Marlborough to the age of Wellington. Recommended for those wanting to better understand the conflicts of the 18th Century.
June 13, 2021
I might be, somewhat, biased.
I am half English, grew up watching the "Sharpe" series, and have a well developed love of British military history. So I might be coming to this one with a bit of a biased attitude, however, I still know a great book when I read one.
Saul David has written a terrific account of the rise of the British Army as the Army of Empire, and by consequence, a terrific account of how Great Britain became a world superpower.
When we think of the might and glory of the British Empire, typically we think of the "Wooden Walls of England", the Royal Navy. However, the Army made a name for itself on the fields of Europe, the British Isles, North America, the Caribbean, and India, as one of the best in history.
The book begins with the dawn of the creation of the modern British Army, after the end of the English Civil Wars. It's baptism of fire would be in the Glorious Revolution, and here Mr. David sets the standard for the rest of the book.
He typically will take, or two or three, significant battles to showcase the evolution, effectiveness, and capabilities of the British Army. All the while he sets the Battle in it's operational, strategic, and political context. And even if he skips over certain manor engagements, it is because he focuses less on telling the whole story of an event, in making a point about said event.
Case in point, he details superbly the Battle of Blenheim in the War of the Spanish Succession, but skims over the Battle of Malplaquet with a mere mention.
Even so, this book covers a considerable amount of military history between it's covers. Everything from the Glorious Revolution and the War of the Spanish Succession, to the Jacobin '48, the Seven Years War (both in Europe and North America), the Colonial War for Independence, conflicts in India, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Through it all, Mr. David showcases the tactical and doctrinal evolution of the British Army, how it's kitting changes through time, and how it's administration evolves to meet the changing needs of a growing Imperial commitment. He also gives excellent profiles, and miniature military biographies of two of Britain's greatest Captain's: John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, and Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.
There are other personalities he showcases and discusses, of course, James Wolfe for example, but he focuses on Marlborough and Wellington. And it must be said that his descriptions of the individual battles are amazingly well done.
This was a damned exciting book to read. And if you have any English, Scottish, or Irish in you at all, this book should fill your heart with pride.
Very highly recommended.
I am half English, grew up watching the "Sharpe" series, and have a well developed love of British military history. So I might be coming to this one with a bit of a biased attitude, however, I still know a great book when I read one.
Saul David has written a terrific account of the rise of the British Army as the Army of Empire, and by consequence, a terrific account of how Great Britain became a world superpower.
When we think of the might and glory of the British Empire, typically we think of the "Wooden Walls of England", the Royal Navy. However, the Army made a name for itself on the fields of Europe, the British Isles, North America, the Caribbean, and India, as one of the best in history.
The book begins with the dawn of the creation of the modern British Army, after the end of the English Civil Wars. It's baptism of fire would be in the Glorious Revolution, and here Mr. David sets the standard for the rest of the book.
He typically will take, or two or three, significant battles to showcase the evolution, effectiveness, and capabilities of the British Army. All the while he sets the Battle in it's operational, strategic, and political context. And even if he skips over certain manor engagements, it is because he focuses less on telling the whole story of an event, in making a point about said event.
Case in point, he details superbly the Battle of Blenheim in the War of the Spanish Succession, but skims over the Battle of Malplaquet with a mere mention.
Even so, this book covers a considerable amount of military history between it's covers. Everything from the Glorious Revolution and the War of the Spanish Succession, to the Jacobin '48, the Seven Years War (both in Europe and North America), the Colonial War for Independence, conflicts in India, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Through it all, Mr. David showcases the tactical and doctrinal evolution of the British Army, how it's kitting changes through time, and how it's administration evolves to meet the changing needs of a growing Imperial commitment. He also gives excellent profiles, and miniature military biographies of two of Britain's greatest Captain's: John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, and Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.
There are other personalities he showcases and discusses, of course, James Wolfe for example, but he focuses on Marlborough and Wellington. And it must be said that his descriptions of the individual battles are amazingly well done.
This was a damned exciting book to read. And if you have any English, Scottish, or Irish in you at all, this book should fill your heart with pride.
Very highly recommended.
April 16, 2013
Fascinating in its detail and vivid in its hour-by-hour descriptions of historic battles Saul David's book brings history alive and renders interesting what might have been a very academic review of a key period in warfare. I am not a weapon fetishist nor strongly interested in matters military but I found "All the King's Men" absorbing and that's the best test of such books - if they appeal beyond a core and rather geeky audience then the writer has succeeded.
January 7, 2021
Very informative, this book covers a number of battles with great detail. The American Revolution, Wolfe in Canada and Waterloo are all covered. I've re-read this a number of times since I first bought it.
December 20, 2014
Well written with glimpses of laudable overvire, but more about the generals and their battles, than the soldiers
July 5, 2016
very good history and insight into How the British Army became the British Army that we think of, and what it is that we think of and why it is viewed as it is
July 4, 2021
Solid entertaining history from 1660 to 1815 about the growth and activities of the British army.Well done,not too technical and interesting.
March 13, 2022
A very comprehensive yet concise, entertaining and readable history (that, as often happens, never got bogged down in minute details) of the British redcoat for about 150 years, culminating in arguably the most famous of all redcoat moments, Wellington against Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo.
Some of the battles and people I recognised from Sharpe novels and other historical novels I've read, but I also learnt plenty about a remarkable period of history where the British infantry was undoubtedly the best in the world, led by some serious military heavyweights.
My first Saul David book, but not my last - I've already bought some more of his work.
Some of the battles and people I recognised from Sharpe novels and other historical novels I've read, but I also learnt plenty about a remarkable period of history where the British infantry was undoubtedly the best in the world, led by some serious military heavyweights.
My first Saul David book, but not my last - I've already bought some more of his work.
June 18, 2020
Interesting history
December 20, 2024
More of a focus on generals - Marlborough, Wolfe, Wellington etc - than the soldiers per se.
June 30, 2017
Excellent book for getting a detailed overview of the British conflicts in the age of the musket, and for getting your redcoat fix.
Read
July 21, 2013I have been a fan of Saul David’s writing for a number of years and had eagerly anticipated the publication of this book subtitled ‘The British solider from the restoration to Waterloo’. However, I have to say I was a little disappointed as although David used the diaries and letters of the ordinary soldier to great effect the main thrust of the book is not on the ordinary British Tommy (a phrase coined by Lord Wellington) but the great generals and field marshals of the era including Marlborough, Wolfe, Moore and Wellington.
I enjoyed the book but I bought it for the very purpose of it reportedly not being about the leaders of the epic campaigns and battles of the period. The BBC series Bullets, Boots and Bandages, which is based on the book, is a much more visceral and detailed account of the lives of the ordinary soldiers throughout the long 18th century than the content of the book.
Having said that David’s style of writing and detailed narrative of the campaigns, wars and individual battles are some of the best in the military history genre with Wolfe’s capture of Quebec and the retreat to Corunna being particularly praiseworthy.
I would recommend this book with the caveat that the title of the book is a slight misnomer but that Saul David is still one of our finest military historians and that All the King’s men contains great short appraisals of some of Britain’s greatest ever generals.
I enjoyed the book but I bought it for the very purpose of it reportedly not being about the leaders of the epic campaigns and battles of the period. The BBC series Bullets, Boots and Bandages, which is based on the book, is a much more visceral and detailed account of the lives of the ordinary soldiers throughout the long 18th century than the content of the book.
Having said that David’s style of writing and detailed narrative of the campaigns, wars and individual battles are some of the best in the military history genre with Wolfe’s capture of Quebec and the retreat to Corunna being particularly praiseworthy.
I would recommend this book with the caveat that the title of the book is a slight misnomer but that Saul David is still one of our finest military historians and that All the King’s men contains great short appraisals of some of Britain’s greatest ever generals.
June 17, 2013
Who said that history is boring? Not with an author like Saul David! This history of the common British soldier is brilliantly written, full of the telling detail without losing sight of the scope of the story. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2012
excellent book, full of anecdote and interesting facts. very well written.
July 4, 2013
While a very informative book, I think it managed to miss it's own announced main goal of describing the soldier more than the commanders.
September 16, 2013
Top notch. Judicious, well-paced, and above all empathetic, this is a genuinely superb example of the best military history.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews