What do you think?
Rate this book
Wellington's Wars: The Making of a Military Genius
A provocative reappraisal of Wellington's military career, his victory at Waterloo, and the source of his genius as a general
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, lives on in popular memory as the "Invincible General," loved by his men, admired by his peers, formidable to his opponents. This incisive book revises such a portrait, offering an accurate—and controversial—new analysis of Wellington's remarkable military career. Unlike his nemesis Napoleon, Wellington was by no means a man of innate military talent, Huw J. Davies argues. Instead, the key to Wellington's military success was an exceptionally keen understanding of the relationship between politics and war. Drawing on extensive primary research, Davies discusses Wellington's military apprenticeship in India, where he learned through mistakes as well as successes how to plan campaigns, organize and use intelligence, and negotiate with allies. In India Wellington encountered the constant political machinations of indigenous powers, and it was there that he apprenticed in the crucial skill of balancing conflicting political priorities. In later campaigns and battles, including the Peninsular War and Waterloo, Wellington's genius for strategy, operations, and tactics emerged. For his success in the art of war, he came to rely on his art as a politician and tactician. This strikingly original book shows how Wellington made even unlikely victories possible—with a well-honed political brilliance that underpinned all of his military achievements.
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, lives on in popular memory as the "Invincible General," loved by his men, admired by his peers, formidable to his opponents. This incisive book revises such a portrait, offering an accurate—and controversial—new analysis of Wellington's remarkable military career. Unlike his nemesis Napoleon, Wellington was by no means a man of innate military talent, Huw J. Davies argues. Instead, the key to Wellington's military success was an exceptionally keen understanding of the relationship between politics and war. Drawing on extensive primary research, Davies discusses Wellington's military apprenticeship in India, where he learned through mistakes as well as successes how to plan campaigns, organize and use intelligence, and negotiate with allies. In India Wellington encountered the constant political machinations of indigenous powers, and it was there that he apprenticed in the crucial skill of balancing conflicting political priorities. In later campaigns and battles, including the Peninsular War and Waterloo, Wellington's genius for strategy, operations, and tactics emerged. For his success in the art of war, he came to rely on his art as a politician and tactician. This strikingly original book shows how Wellington made even unlikely victories possible—with a well-honed political brilliance that underpinned all of his military achievements.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 6, 2012
Davis' book is an excellent study of Wellington's career from India to Waterloo. The book analyzes the reasons for Wellington's success as a general, but- rather than simply viewing Wellington through rose-colored glasses- also accounts for his shortcomings & failures in this regard as well. Davis clearly shows how Wellington's success on the battlefield ultimately rested as much on his political skills (when dealing with the situation in India, and then later during the Peninsular War with the British government & with his Portuguese and Spanish allies) as it did on his military genius.
Davis' take on the Waterloo campaign was especially interesting, and one that I hadn't come across before. He says that Wellington was essentially forced to fight a battle at Waterloo so that Prussia could not claim to have taken on Napoleon alone. By fighting at Waterloo, Britain would keep a horse in the race (so to speak)and therefore be able to check Prussia's considerable political ambitions with regard to Germany & France.
Davis' take on the Waterloo campaign was especially interesting, and one that I hadn't come across before. He says that Wellington was essentially forced to fight a battle at Waterloo so that Prussia could not claim to have taken on Napoleon alone. By fighting at Waterloo, Britain would keep a horse in the race (so to speak)and therefore be able to check Prussia's considerable political ambitions with regard to Germany & France.
April 23, 2016
Judging from the title the author sets out to show that Wellington was a military genius. In this respect I think he fails which is a shame because this is a decent book. It's not overly-detailed, moving forward at a brisk pace. He argues that Wellington is remembered best for Waterloo which was a defensive battle and in which Wellington did not display his skills as an offensive genera whereas his Spanish and Indian victories are forgotten.
July 10, 2013
Absolutely brilliant book, Davies has done a great job of dissecting the military career of the Duke of Wellington. This book analyses the Duke's successes and failures and how he learnt from his mistakes and his path to being a military genius.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews