What do you think?
Rate this book
Waterloo: A Layman's Guide
An antidote to those history books that are too long, too technical, over complicated and difficult to follow.
A Layman's Guide is a straightforward, short history of the Battle of Waterloo that is more akin to a chat over a cup of tea than a heavy historical text, making it much more accessible and readable for all of you non-historians out there!
Excellent starting point for those new to the Battle of Waterloo. NMA 1975 - Amazon reviewer
The way this book is written takes the complex military strategies involved in the battle and converts it to simple and clear language so the reader can experience almost a 'helicopter view' of the days events. Clive R - Amazon reviewer
Far more detailed than I'd expected, and also much more interesting than I'd thought it would be. Charlie - Amazon reviewer
On Sunday 18th June 1815, nearly 200,000 men (the Allies led by the Duke of Wellington and the French led by their Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte) faced off on a tiny parcel of land barely two and a half miles square to fight was has now become known as the Battle of Waterloo. Nowhere, either before or since this battle, have that many men got together on such a tiny piece of earth to have a fight. Not surprisingly the battle was brutal and bloody and casualties were high, but in the end it ushered in a prolonged period of peace and prosperity across Europe that hadn’t been seen for a long, long time. The Battle of Waterloo really was the catalyst for the greater good during the nineteenth century (unless you were French, in which case the name Waterloo carried a much more sombre meaning).
Following in the style of the other Layman’s Guides’ this is a relatively short narrative that is more like a chat over a cup of tea rather than a heavy historical text. I have tried to make the story flow naturally albeit without mountains of detail. The chapters here are purposefully written to be short, sharp and to the point, perfect for dipping in and out of whenever the fancy takes you. Welcome then, to A Layman's Guide
A Layman's Guide is a straightforward, short history of the Battle of Waterloo that is more akin to a chat over a cup of tea than a heavy historical text, making it much more accessible and readable for all of you non-historians out there!
Excellent starting point for those new to the Battle of Waterloo. NMA 1975 - Amazon reviewer
The way this book is written takes the complex military strategies involved in the battle and converts it to simple and clear language so the reader can experience almost a 'helicopter view' of the days events. Clive R - Amazon reviewer
Far more detailed than I'd expected, and also much more interesting than I'd thought it would be. Charlie - Amazon reviewer
On Sunday 18th June 1815, nearly 200,000 men (the Allies led by the Duke of Wellington and the French led by their Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte) faced off on a tiny parcel of land barely two and a half miles square to fight was has now become known as the Battle of Waterloo. Nowhere, either before or since this battle, have that many men got together on such a tiny piece of earth to have a fight. Not surprisingly the battle was brutal and bloody and casualties were high, but in the end it ushered in a prolonged period of peace and prosperity across Europe that hadn’t been seen for a long, long time. The Battle of Waterloo really was the catalyst for the greater good during the nineteenth century (unless you were French, in which case the name Waterloo carried a much more sombre meaning).
Following in the style of the other Layman’s Guides’ this is a relatively short narrative that is more like a chat over a cup of tea rather than a heavy historical text. I have tried to make the story flow naturally albeit without mountains of detail. The chapters here are purposefully written to be short, sharp and to the point, perfect for dipping in and out of whenever the fancy takes you. Welcome then, to A Layman's Guide
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2015
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 8, 2015
Military history isn't really my thing as I don't have that kind of mind, though the key personalities interest me a great deal and the stories of the 'ordinary' soldier. I heard Andrew Roberts talking recently about Napoleon and Wellington and making comparisons. He spoke of Waterloo and the strategies of the 2 leaders. I wanted to read something that I would not find too taxing and which would give me a "flavour" of the battle.
I found this a relatively easy read though I felt it had been written in a hurry. This was probably quite appropriate as the battle happened pretty quickly and was something of a cliff hanger. "A close run thing", according to the Duke.
I will read another book on the subject in due course.This was a useful introduction.
I found this a relatively easy read though I felt it had been written in a hurry. This was probably quite appropriate as the battle happened pretty quickly and was something of a cliff hanger. "A close run thing", according to the Duke.
I will read another book on the subject in due course.This was a useful introduction.
Displaying 1 of 1 review