Waterloo 1815: The British Army's Day of Destiny

by Gregory Fremont-Barnes

Waterloo was widely recognised – even in its immediate wake – as one of the most decisive battles in after more than twenty years of uninterrupted conflict this single day’s encounter finally put paid to French aspirations for European hegemony. The culminating point of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Waterloo also witnessed levels of determination and bravery by both sides which far exceeded anything experienced by the veterans of Wellington’s recent campaigns. This thoroughly researched and highly detailed account of one history’s greatest human dramas looks first at the wider strategic picture before focussing on the tactical roles played by individual British units – all meticulously examined with the benefit of the extensive array of hitherto unexploited primary sources which reveal the battlefield experience of officers and soldiers as never before.

Genres: History

440 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2014

Reviews

[Mark Simner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the 200th anniversary approaches, the already considerable list of books written about the Battle of Waterloo increases at an ever faster pace. Indeed, when confronted with another book on the subject, the reader can be forgiven at being left with the feeling of bewilderment at yet another telling of the story. However, this title offers something a little different! Rather than being another general history of the battle, the book specifically examines the role of the British Army on that fateful day in June 1815. The author, Gregory Fremont-Barnes, is no stranger to the Napoleonic Wars either, having already written numerous books on the period. As such this new title holds much promise for the reader.

Indeed, reading the book does not disappoint, being extremely well written and packed full of interesting information and analysis. In particular the author appears to have gone to great lengths to base the work on eyewitness accounts, which he then expertly links together to ensure the reader understands how the battle unfolded through the eyes of the British soldier. Although not a general history of the battle, Fremont-Barnes does include some information on other aspects of the day that did not directly involve the British. This helps place the experiences of the British soldier within the context of the battle as well as offer the reader an understanding of the action overall.

The defence of Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte as well as the massed French cavalry attacks against the Anglo-Allied squares are all considered within the work. However, the chapter regarding the charge of the Household and Union brigades particularly stand out, presenting the reader with what is probably the most in-depth and detailed account of this aspect of the battle that has been published in many years. At the end of the book is an equally detailed set of appendices which include additional accounts of the fighting, Wellington famous Waterloo Dispatch and full order of battle for not only the Anglo-Allied army but also those of the French and Prussians.

In short the author of this title has produced a work that has earned a space on a bookshelf dedicated to the better current offerings on the Battle of Waterloo. One frequent criticism of a number of recent books on the subject has been the somewhat Anglo-centric view many have taken in their telling of the story and, while this book indeed primarily focuses on the part played by the British on 18 June 1815, this is, of course, wholly justified in this case. Overall the book deserves a five out of five star rating.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book about one of the great victories in military history. The facts of the battle are presented along with the author's conclusions. 200 years have not diminished the interest in or tragic glory of Waterloo.