Fire and Sword

Revolution Quartet #3

by Simon Scarrow

FIRE AND SWORD is the unputdownable third novel in Simon Scarrow's bestselling Wellington and Napoleon Quartet. A must read for fans of Robert Harris.

1804. Napoleon Bonaparte is Emperor of France, his ultimate aim: to rule Europe. After defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar, he wins a glorious victory against Austria at Austerlitz. He then deposes the Spanish king and places his own brother on the throne. But he is yet to triumph over his most hated enemy: Great Britain.

Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) throws himself into the British campaign in Europe. After glory in Portugal, he commands the army in a series of triumphant battles across Spain. For those living reluctantly under French rule, his victories suggest that Napoleon's progress is not inexorable: freedom can be restored...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, War, Audiobook, France, Military Fiction

672 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Simon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.

He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.

Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2009, and its the 3rd volume of the great "Wellington & Napoleon" quartet of books.

This book continues from the year AD 1804, and for Wellington (formerly Wellesley), although times are hard politically he will find solace as a military in Copenhagen, Portugal and Spain, while Napoleon has already established himself as a genius on the battlefield.

Emperor Napoleon is on the rampage throughout Europe and taking control, and now there's only one enemy left across the channel, Britain, while Wellington must try to oppose him and establish a foothold for Britain and his allies in Europe.

The time will come ever closer for the ultimate battle, but before that in this book many hard fought and desperate encounters will be fought out between the British forces and its allies against the might of Napoleon and his French Army.

What is to follow is a tremendous tale in which Wellington and Napoleon will show their geniuses and failures in battles to come and in their domestic lives, and all this is brought to us a most fascinating fashion by the author.

Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Fire And Sword"!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since childhood I have read everything I could obtain about Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington. I have devoured Scarrow’s historical fiction series about the two men. This is book three of a four-part series. It is best to have read these books in order to fully enjoy the history and learn about each man.

The book takes place in the years from 1804 to 1809. The French revolution is over and Napoleon becomes Emperor of France and now wants to acquire Europe. Wellesley has just returned to England after his nine years of service in India. The chapters of the book alternate between the two men. I agree with Scarrow that Napoleon had an enormous ego just as Wellesley was equally arrogant. Napoleon was the first to promote his army on merit not by the title a person was born with. I found the information about Prime Minister Pitt most interesting. Now I will look for a biography about Pitt so I can learn more about him.

The book is well written and meticulously researched. Scarrow is continuing to build his characters. Scarrow is a great storyteller and he brings this period of history to life. The historical picture and battle scenes are all from the viewpoint of either Napoleon or Wellesley, therefore, it is the broad perspective. If you are interested in the viewpoint of a soldier I would recommend the historical novels series “Sharpe” by Bernard Cornwell. It covers the same time frame with Wellesley in command of the army.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is long at almost twenty-two hours. Jonathan Keeble does an excellent job narrating the book. Keeble is an actor and audiobook narrator. If you are interested in the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleon, this book is for you.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellently written series from which I feel I'm learning a great deal about the historical milieu of the Napoleonic wars. However, this particular book dragged a bit for me. I presume the author is intending to contrast the growing character schism between Napoleon (very driven, formerly somewhat by ideals but largely now for largesse) and Wellesley (equally driven and increasingly empathic and principled) - because most of the time, Napoleon sounded whiney and impetuous, losing his strategic vision in battle to impatience and egotism. This increasingly monodimensional caricature made me want to fast forward through the Napoleon sections to read the much more balanced and complex character development and story of Arthur.

I'll be interested to see if this slide into bland depravity continues in the next book or if Napoleon again gains colour and vibrancy. It's a shame, really, since the author's after notes indicate that at this time Napoleon was leading significant structural and societal improvement through his governance at home, which might have balanced his selfishness in the bedroom and battlefield.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Las líneas empiezan a converger, aunque despacio.-

Género. Novela histórica (con muchísima ficción y suposiciones, eso sí).

Lo que nos cuenta. Napoleón se sienta en el trono del imperio francés y está dispuesto a llevar al país ha la guerra por mantener la supremacía en Europa y extender su dominio directo, lo que movilizará a las tropas inglesas, y a Wellington en concreto, para hacer frente a la amenaza. Tercer libro de la saga Napoleón vs. Wellington.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...

[Amarpal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although excellent in its detail of the battles taking place in this epic period of history (including rabbit-gate), the characters were very one dimensional. No mention of the progressive structural and societal changes Napoleon was making, instead he is presented as very bland with his impatience and egotism often damaging his strategic vision. Wellesley was as whiney and self-righteous as usual. Secondary characters again lacked any depth but as I said earlier the battle scenes were on point.

[Ricardo Ribeiro · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the two first volumes of the Revolution series. And then, Fire and Sword Came. This is when the author revealed himself. The impartiality of the previous volumes was put apart and the demonization of Napoleon started. Not only of Napoleon but of all French things. And I can't stand this in historical novels. I have no patience for this history written by the victors thing. Definitely Simon Scarrow knows how to tell a story, but when it starts looking like a Pravda article from the 80's, then I have a problem with it.

Oh and then there is Portugal and another very English dark side comes up: the arrogance. The terms in which their allies are described are unbearable. I wonder if Simon was present when Wellesly met General Freire. If not, then why did the author made a point of denigrate the Portuguese officer? And this state of things go on, and they are very clear in the terms Simon refers to the representative of the Portuguese king. "The man". Like he's referring to a footman. Sad.

By the way... some proper research wouldn't hurt. No Simon, it's not true that Wellesley hasn't any cavalry besides the small contingent of Dragoons in his army during his first appearance in Portugal. There were several Portuguese cavalry regiments at Vimeiro, with about 1500 mounted men in total

Because all of this, I am rating this book with the lowest rating.

[Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continue to be impressed by this series, on to the last part.

[Javier Casado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tercer volumen de la biografía novelada de Napoleón y Wellington, y quizás hasta ahora el que más me ha gustado de los tres primeros.

Arrancamos este volumen con un Napoleón recién coronado como emperador y un Arthur Wellesley (posterior Duque de Wellington) recién retornado a Europa tras su exitosa campaña en la India y ascendido a general.

A lo largo del libro iremos viendo la degradación moral de Napoleón, cómo aumenta su megalomanía y ansia de poder, su amor por la guerra y sus ansias de dominar Europa, mientras se convierte en un dictador despiadado. Un verdadero cabrón hijo de puta muy astuto. Muy probablemente fuera cierto. En las fases finales de este volumen, esa megalomanía empieza a apuntar hacia su ocaso: convencido de su invencibilidad, Napoleón comienza a sobrevalorarse él y a minusvalorar al contrario, y comienza a cometer errores. Todo apunta a que esta tendencia va a agravarse en un futuro próximo.

En el otro lado, Wellington es un dechado de virtudes: todo un caballero, justo, honrado y modesto, aunque con gran inteligencia en el campo militar. ¿Exagerado? Es posible. Sí es cierto que los hechos objetivos que se nos narran parecen encajar con una visión así, así que también pudiera ser que fuera cierto. En cualquier caso, no chirría, que es lo importante.

Napoleón sigue sus incesantes y victoriosas campañas en Europa, mientras la flota francesa (y española, hasta entonces aliada de Francia) es derrotada por Nelson en Trafalgar, acabando con los sueños de Napoleón de poder llevar a cabo un desembarco en Inglaterra. Pero tampoco los ingleses se deciden a intervenir por tierra en Europa, así que, de momento, la partida está en tablas, con los ingleses recluidos en sus islas, y Napoleón dominando Europa.

En el tercio final del libro, el rechazo de Portugal a acatar las directrices de Napoleón de no comerciar con Inglaterra llevarán al francés a cruzar España con sus ejércitos para someter al país vecino. En el proceso, lo que inicialmente simplemente es un derecho de paso a los ejércitos franceses se va convirtiendo en una ocupación, mientras Napoleón maniobra políticamente para que Carlos IV y el futuro Fernando VII (padre e hijo enfrentados por el trono) terminen, engañados, renunciando a sus derechos dinásticos, y abriendo la puerta a que Napoleón ponga en el trono español a su hermano José.

Entre tanto, los ingleses deciden finalmente desembarcar un pequeño ejército en Portugal y empezar a combatir por tierra a los franceses. Wellesley tendrá ocasión de mandar ese ejército en una decisiva batalla en suelo luso y finalmente se le concederá el mando conjunto del ejército expedicionario británico. Entre tanto, en España el pueblo se levanta contra la ocupación francesa mientras en el otro extremo de Europa también los austriacos se preparan para la revancha.

Los frentes se le multiplican a Napoleón, y así termina este libro, con Wellington a punto de entrar en España desde Portugal y los austriacos luchando contra los franceses con los rusos dispuestos también a entrar en escena. En Francia, el pueblo está harto de guerras y las conspiraciones contra el omnímodo poder de Napoleón empiezan a florecer. El final del dictador está próximo. Lo leeremos en el cuarto y último volumen.

[Isaac McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wellington finally hits his stride as the series' dual protagonist in this one and the book is all the better for it. One personal twist early in his story was heart-wrenching, and his actually joining the European conflicts lifts the whole narrative. Never got quite to the 5⭐ just because it felt like the last third of this book was more interested in getting to Book 4 than closing out the ongoing storylines we had in Fire and Sword. Can only imagine final book going to be a banger.

[Rui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intenso, emocionante, educativo. Mais um épico que só um mestre sabe apresentar. Obrigado, Simon. Fico ansioso pelo próximo volume.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put this simply, the four books that comprise the 'Revolution' quartet are a parallel biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, (the corsican who almost made us all learn French), and The Duke of Wellington, (who was Irish and is credited with preventing that outcome). Neither is a very nice person.
The books and the story are among the best I've ever read, fiction or non-fiction. Each is the size of a very thick brick, so resign yourself to a long and enjoyable journey.
But Books for the Beach they're not, unless you're on a very very long holiday.

[Luis Sagi-Vela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tercer libro de la tetralogía sobre las vidas paralelas de Napoleón y Wellington.
En este tercer libro se encontrarán por fin los intereses contrapuestos de los dos personajes si bien no todavía cara a cara. El escenario será España. Bonaparte coloca a su hermano José como dirigente del país. Wellington primero liberando Portugal (aliado tradicional del Inglaterra) y luego entrando en España con el objetivo de debilitar a Francia con sus primeros reveses militares en las campañas europeas. Wellington quiere ganar prestigio frente al héroe del momento el almirante Nelson, que recientemente había ganado la batalla de Trafalgar contra españoles y franceses.


Comentario aplicable a toda la saga:

De Napoleón destacaría su genialidad, su fuerza vital no exenta de una fuerte dosis de megalomanía. En una Francia en plena convulsión por la Revolución Francesa, Napoleón logró hacerse con el poder por sus propios méritos y astucia llegando a convertirse en emperador de Francia. No deja de ser algo contradictorio que la revolución que acabó con la monarquía absolutista terminara nombrando un Emperador. Luego Napoleón utilizó como motivación (o excusa) la expansión de los valores de la Revolución Francesa y el pensamiento ilustrado, a otros países europeos para emprender una guerra que lo llevó a conquistar más de media Europa colmando así sus ambiciones personales en paralelo, pero con coste de millones de vidas tanto de sus propios compatriotas como de otros europeos.
Su exceso de ambición, junto con el exceso de poder acumulado le terminaron conduciendo al fracaso. Por una parte por querer acometer empresas casi imposibles como la conquista de Rusia (el mismo error que cometería dos siglos después Hitler), cuando su país estaba exhausto después de tanta guerra, pese a sus éxitos y con un territorio inmenso imposible de controlar. Por otra parte porque el resto de países liderados por Inglaterra se aliaron y y le hicieron frente buscando un re equilibrio de fuerzas.

Wellington es el arquetipo del noble inglés. Serio, disciplinado, clasista, fiel a su patria y sus principios, hasta llegar a traicionar sus propios sentimientos personales por mantener el honor y la palabra dada. En una Inglaterra dueña de los mares y el comercio y con el poderío económico basado en la explotación de sus colonias, que busca pararle los pies al francés que conquista más de media Europa. Un líder con un estilo muy distinto al de Napoleón, mucho menos carismático y más basado en el respeto por la jerarquía y la autoridad moral de las clases sociales altas en la sociedad inglesa.

Siendo Scarrow inglés se intuye una cierta idealización de Wellington frente a un trato más severo a la figura de Napoleón

[Phil Syphe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't find ‘Fire and Sword’ as absorbing as the first book in the quadrilogy, I prefer it to 'The Generals’ and rate all three as top-quality novels.

The book features two third-person specific narratives. It alternates between blocks of chapters focusing on Napoleon Bonaparte and on Arthur Wellesley.

The battles featuring Arthur engaged me more than those featuring Napoleon. This is down to Napoleon not being a participant, only an observer. The problem in such cases is that narrative sometimes reads more like non-fiction history. With Arthur, however, we ‘see’ the fighting up close, which is much more exciting.

In the previous two books, I liked the girl-meets-boy storylines in both narratives, particularly Arthur’s, yet in ‘Fire and Sword’, the romance is burning out, most notably in Arthur’s case, which is a shame. I felt sorry for his paramour Kitty.

Only things I can criticise in this compelling story are certain style issues, with ‘telling’, not ‘showing’, being the biggest offence. Things like, ‘He swallowed nervously’ is such an example. This is an oft-repeated phrase the author uses in this novel and several other titles I’ve read by him. If the context is obvious to the reader, ‘swallowed’ is enough to ‘show’ the reader that the character is nervous. No need to use an adverb to ‘tell’. Adverbs should be cut wherever possible or replaced with a strong verb.

The repetition of ‘swallowed nervously’ has taken second place, however, to ‘cleared his/her throat.’ I couldn’t fail to notice during this and the previous books, along with the author’s Roman series, that he overuses this phrase to the extent that it’s predictable when it’s about to crop up. It’s purpose is to locate a character so that you know who’s about speak without the need of dialogue attribution, which I’m in full favour of, but with countless other lead-ins available, it becomes laughable at times, and tedious at others. ‘Napoleon cleared his throat.’ ‘Arthur cleared his throat.’ ‘He cleared his throat.’ It’s probable that the author doesn’t realise he’s doing it. People do have traits that they’re unaware of. The Scarrow books I’ve read so far are fifteen to twenty years old now, however, so I’m hoping someone’s pointed it out to him by now if he hasn’t realised himself.

In most reviews, I deduct a star for style issues or repetition, but not in this case. It’s too good in terms of content. Napoleon and Arthur’s contrasting personalities provide a good change of pace whenever the third-person specific viewpoints swap from one to the other. In this novel, I found Arthur’s chapters the most entertaining.

I look forward to reading the last one in the series.

[Giovanni Faga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ferro e fuoco è il terzo volume della Revolution Saga.
La breve opinione che segue riguarda i volumi tre e quattro:
A ferro e fuoco
L'ultimo campo di battaglia

Se siete arrivati fino a qui, non dovete darvi per vinti. Leggere il terzo e quarto volume della Revolution Saga completerà il vostro corso di formazione e sarete in grado di intrattenere i vostri amici con aneddoti e racconti di battaglie che alla fine vi guarderanno come se foste la Yourcenar. Più o meno.
Mi sono dilungato sullo stile di Scarrow e sui suoi limiti nella rencesione dei libri uno/due, quindi non rimane che rispondere alla domanda più ovvia: "Vado avanti? Come va a finire?"
Beh, diciamo che si procede con la conquista dell'Europa e si finisce con Waterloo, cioè Napoleone viene sconfitto e tanti saluti.
Nel terzo volume c'è la battaglia di Trafalgar, ovvero il motivo per cui oggi nè io nè voi parliamo francese: Nelson sconfigge la flotta francese, Napoleone non può invadere l'Inghilterra e adesso a Londra non si spalma il Roquefort ovunque. Poi c'è Austerliz, uno dei capolavori di Napoleone, che però nel frattempo è diventato imperatore e inizia a sviluppare quel prurito incontenibile di onnipotenza che alla fine sarà la sua rovina.
Wellington è il personaggio sviluppato con più cura, ovvero si assiste alla sua completa trasformazione in stratega militare, uomo dotato di perfetto autocontrollo, impassibile, estremamente esigente con le sue truppe, che devono essere addestrate con successo. Vi ricordo che Wellington è uno dei pochi generali che non è praticamente mai stato sconfitto. Era bravo, ma poi tutti si ricordano di Napoleone perchè diventa imperatore e fa il bullo con gli austriaci, i prussiani e i russi. E li sconfigge "quasi" tutti.
Eh già, perchè mentre Wellington sbarca in Europa (Portogallo), a Napoleone viene l'ideona di invadere la Russia. Si porta dietro 600.000 uomini (si, seicentomila) e sapete come va a finire. Se non lo sapete, chiudete qui e andate subito a leggere!

Vi dico la cosa più importate: ho iniziato a leggere questi quattro libri perchè ero rimasto affascinato da un documentario su Waterloo. Ebbene, quando sono arrivato alla battaglia di Waterloo mi sono reso conto che era la cosa che mi interessava di meno. Napoleone combatte Waterloo nel momento meno audace della sua storia, dopo avere perso i migliori generali e soldati della Grande Armata, senza la cavalleria di Murat e con lo spirito scheggiato, indebolito dagli eventi. Insomma, Waterloo è solo la fine, ma - signori miei - il bello è tutto il resto. Napoleone e Wellignton vi rimarranno in testa per un pò, ve lo assicuro.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book of the Revolution series refer to years 1804 - 1809. Napoleon's glory is peaking up with the triumph of Austerlitz again the Austrian and Russian armies and then a lot of more battles and wins for Napoleon, but never of the same extent. On the other hand, the French army starts facing small defeats, such as the ones in Portugal, where the British army is led by Arthur Wellesley.

Wellesley himself is also becoming more and more famous and his military genius start to be recognised. He gets married to Kitty, although she is not the same person anymore and his wedding is not the happiest possible. He shows his military abilities in all expeditions of the UK, one in Denmark and two in Portugal. He disagrees with the traditional system of the British military and he learns from the successes of the French army, so as to make the British one even better.

The third book felt a bit long. It seems that it is mostly battles in the field or the parliament and nothing is getting solved or changes. Napoleon starts declining and because of his megalomania he blames his subordinates. Arthur tries to distiguish and become a leader, but there is always somebody more senior to him, who claims the order of the army from him. Nevertheless, it is an interesting period of the European history, one that formed Europe how it is today, and I enjoy reading about it.

[Richard West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 3 in Scarrow's quartet of books about the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon. Briefly: Napoleon is the French emperor. He loves war and wants to conquer the world, but Britain stands in his way. Meanwhile, Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) after a highly successful career in India returns to Britain, fights more battles,and when we leave him, he has just defeated Napoleon's troops in Portugal. Both are in what are essentially unhappy marriages, Napoleon is frustrated because Josephine is to old to have kids, thus no heir. So he fools around. Arthur, after marrying his beloved Kitty finds she hasn't aged all that well, but she does have a couple of kids. Arthur fools around too. Both Arthur and Napoleon would rather be on the battlefield distinguishing themselves. Their destiny is intertwined and they will meet - in Volume 4.

If you've read the first two volumes, you want to read this one so you can get to the 4th and final volume. Scarrow has an enjoyable writing style and the books are easy reading and keep your attention.

[Anna Vr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro è il terzo di una quadrilogia che narra le vicende dei due protagonisti del periodo napoleonico: Napoleone appunto per la Francia, e Wellesley per l'Inghilterra, ovvero il generale che sconfiggerà il grande imperatore.
In questo libro viene narrato il periodo che va dal 1804 con l'incoronazione ad imperatore di Napoleone, al 1809 con le prime vittorie dirette sul terreno dell'Inghilterra proprio grazie al generale Wellesley.
Il libro è scritto bene, ho imparato ad apprezzare il suo autore molto bravo e molto attento nella scrittura. Inutile dire che la figura di Napoleone mi sta andando in antipatia ma è normale visto il personaggio. Tifo spudoratamente Inghilterra non solo perché so come va a finire, ma perché il personaggio di Wellesley è più modesto anche se convito delle sue qualità nettamente superiori rispetto a quelle dei generali medi dell'epoca. E poi mi fa tenerezza perché è un pò sfortunato certe volte.
Consiglio il romanzo per chi è amante del genere o chi è interessato ad approfondire il periodo Napoleonico.

[David Lubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire and Sword is the third book in a four book series about the lives of Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley. It is historical fiction but my research has found that the history presented is extremely accurate. Consequently, I am learning a great deal about a topic with which I had only a very superficial knowledge. The books are very well written and contrary to most series, each book gets better than the one before it. As of this writing, I have already gotten into Book 4 (Fields of Death) which will inevitably lead to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. I can hardly wait to get there.
I recomend reading these in sequence. I also highly recommend the audible version if you are inclined to that motif. The narrator is simply outstanding and the action scenes make one's hair stand on end.
I will be reading other works by this author after I conclude this series because I really like the way he presents notable people in very down to earth ways.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this third part as we continue to follow Napoleon and the future Duke of Wellington through their respective careers. For now, Wellington is plain Arthur Wellesley, although he's starting to advance a bit further up the ladder - and Scarrow does a really good job of illustrating how snobbish the British authorities and aristocracy were back then. You could argue that not a lot has changed since!

Meanwhile Napoleon is determined that the world should run how he wants it to, regardless of the practicalities. He has power, but as we know, power corrupts and there is infighting to deal with as those around him vie for influence. Again, Scarrow brings all of this to life in a vivid manner so that you can picture the scenes in your mind.

I'm really enjoying this series and look forward to reading the fourth one. It's also making me want to go back and re-read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, which feel like they'd make good companion reads to this quartet.

[Sam Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.6) Amazing read tracing the Napoleonic Wars through the eyes of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon from 1803 to 1808.

Filled with epic events like the battle of Austerlitz and bizarre true history such as the ruining of Napoleon’s picnic by rampaging rabbits.

It’s intriguing to see Napoleon gradually succumb to megalomania and self-justified corruption, alongside his undoubted military genius. This is contrasted well with Wellington’s earnestness, growing self confidence and contempt for tyranny. Both characters are shown with their flaws as well as their talents although I think Wellington is considerably easier to warm to.

At times, it seems like Wellington has a rather too specific knowledge of what is to come in his and the Peninsular War’s future but apart from that, this is a wonderfully researched, exciting read, with political intrigue, flawed romance, military detail and philosophy all rolled in.

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read one of Simon Scarrow's Roman books some years ago and wasn't that impressed. This book, bought at a book sale, on the Napoleonic Wars with a narrative that switches between Napoleon and Sir Arthur Wellesly (later the Duke of Wellington), however, is a beauty.
Napoleon gradually becomes more despotic as the book progresses and Wellesly increases in both confidence and stature. Others have covered the story, so I won't repeat what they have written, but I will make the comment that Wellesly's relationship with his wife is very similar to that of Horatio Hornblower.
I now think I will have to get the other books in this series: I have already started on one of my biographies of the Duke of Wellington to refresh my memory of the man.

[Christian Klejmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In diesem Band beginnt Arthur Wellesley nach wirklich vielen Rückschlägen auf dem europäischen Kontinent den französischen Armeen Paroli zu bieten. Dabei schlägt er sich immer wieder mit schwierigen und unfähigen Vorgesetzten herum. Besonders krass ist auch die Heirat mit seiner einstigen Liebe Missy Pakenham - die er nach über 10 Jahren Wartezeit ehelicht und sich das Ganze anders vorstellt als es kommt.
Auf der anderen Seite läufts bei Napoleon. Er sichert sich Spanien durch Raffinesse und schierer unmenschlicher Brutalität.
Wieder ein Meisterwerk, das ich nicht aus den Händen legen konnte.

[Michael Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Österreichs, Preußens und Russische Truppen haben einzeln keine Chance gegen Napoleons Grande Armee. Napoleons militärisches und auch politisches Geschick sorgt dafür das diese drei Länder sich nicht zusammen schließen. Einzig die Britten sind für Frankreich eine Gefahr, doch Napoleon hat nicht genug Schiffe für ein Invasion Englands. Diese wiederum Zetteln einen Krieg auf der iberische Halbinsel und in Dänemark an um Napoleon zu zwingen seine Truppen zu teilen und ihn damit zu schwächen. --- gewohnt spannend werden diese faszinierendes historische Ereignisse erzählt! Einfach super!

[Miguel Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ando para ler este livro desde o verão de 2020 - depois de ter lido “os generais” - no entanto o livro estava esgotado, até que o encontrei no “book traders”. Não me desiludiu mas aqui comecei a ver a verdadeira personalidade de Napoleão Bonaparte - narcisista, egocêntrico, vaidoso e ambicioso demais - que é o que o vai levar a cair. No entanto atenção às suas reformas na administração pública, no exército e ao aparecimento do conceito de meritocracia, que passados tantos anos ainda está por “descobrir”. Com Scarrow aprendemos história a ler 😉

[Paca Sad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immerse yourself in the Napoleonic era, re-live the battles, get inside the two most famous antagonists of the time, from the sillier but true story of tame rabbits upsetting the shoot, to the artillery officer who invented shrapnel and used to great effect to demoralise the French troops.
I dont want to see this series end and am constantly amazed at the insights into their fortunes and misfortunes, What a gruesome and bloody war was waged, the courage of these men on both sides is amazing

[María · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado, como los anteriores; una visión que ayuda a entender lo que pasaba por la cabeza de Napoleón.
Le pongo alguna pega a lo que dice de España (entre otras cosas, asume sin más la peor versión de la leyenda negra contra Godoy y los reyes Carlos IV y María Luisa -> recomiendo leer a La Parra, Ruspoli o Gil Soto) pero también ayuda a entender por qué se equivocaba Napoleón con España

[Glyn Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is number three in the wellington /napoleon series and is every bit as good as the other two books. Bonaparte is now emperor of France, and wellington starts his campaign in europe . There is plenty of action and battles in this book and we meet lord nelson(no spoilers). So come on folks go out and buy this book and really enjoy it.

[Federica Ferrario · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dico solo che ci ho messo quasi un anno (!) per leggerlo. Non leggero, mai divertente, a tratti noiosetto. Le parti interessanti sono le descrizioni delle battaglie. Il resto sono dialoghi fittizi pesantissimi che fungono da escamotage per descrivere il quadro storico-politico o strategico-militare. Adatto agli appassionati di storia ma non a chi cerca un romanzo di spessore.

[Julen Elorza · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A fuego y espada" es de lo mejor que ha escrito Simon Scarrow; las campañas de Austerlitz y la Península Ibérica son muy detalladas y la psicología de los personajes se explora mejor.

La trama de Wellington tiene menos acción, pero es igual de interesante gracias a su política y su conflicto emocional con su esposa y sus hijos.

[M.J. Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and thought-provoking account of stages of the Napoleonic Wars. A fine conclusion to the trilogy which ends and the beginning of the Portuguese campaign. Told from the perspectives of Wellesley and Bonaparte, the contrasts in experiences, backgrounds and life in general lead to a tumultuous clash of two of the finest military minds. Game on.