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Osprey Essential Histories #17
The Napoleonic Wars (3): The Peninsular War 1807-1814
When Spain and Portugal united against Napoleon, they shocked the world by scoring stunning victories and seriously undermining his domination of Europe. Spain might seem temporarily crushed and Portugal defenceless, but despite Napoleon's best efforts, he could not bring the war to a close and his victories never proved decisive. Six years of hard campaigning followed. When Britain allied herself with Spain and Portugal and entered the field against Napoleon, he faced yet more failures. Meanwhile Wellington guided the British army to victory after victory.
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 5, 2017
The historical event that is referred to in books as the Napoleonic Wars, stretched over a period of time starting in 1796 and, with the exception of two short intervals, ended in 1815 with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. This conflict was waged against many enemies and consisted of a vast multitude of battles; causing death, destruction, and suffering throughout Europe.
This book confines itself to one specific area and relates in general terms what has come to be known as the Peninsular War. This conflict took place between 1807 and 1814 and was confined to the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte was at the apex of power, occupying, controlling, or influencing through treaty, almost all of Europe. The only foe left on the field was the British land fortress, protected by the English Channel, North Sea, and the Royal Navy. With invasion, an impossibility without sea superiority, Bonaparte’s only option to defeat or pursued Britain into a lasting peace was to blockade all European ports from British shipping. Portugal was the only fissure in this plan.
Political unrest in Spain caused France to cross the Pyrenees, under the guise of being allied to the Spanish Crown, with troops and establish order. This invasion put French troops on the borders of Portugal, with the express intention of forcing a blockade to all British ships.
This incursion westward gave Great Britain the excuse to land troops on the Portuguese beaches in defense of a longtime ally. Along with these troops came a general that was destined for greatness; General Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.
This war was like no other Napoleon had ever waged. Instead of a traditional field battle between masses of organized troops, the Spanish employed guerilla tactics, attacking small outposts, groups, or stragglers, with devastating effect. While it is true that French commanders, such as General Andre Massena, and Marshal Auguste Marmot, didn't have the flair and imagination of their emperor, even if Napoleon would have taken personal command of his troops on the Iberian Peninsula, it is doubtful that a lasting peace could have been achieved.
This short history gives a bird’s eye view of one-quarter of a conflict that engulfed Europe during the early nineteenth century. This book may serve as an inspiration to readers to delve deeper into this tumultuous time in history.
This book confines itself to one specific area and relates in general terms what has come to be known as the Peninsular War. This conflict took place between 1807 and 1814 and was confined to the Iberian Peninsula.
In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte was at the apex of power, occupying, controlling, or influencing through treaty, almost all of Europe. The only foe left on the field was the British land fortress, protected by the English Channel, North Sea, and the Royal Navy. With invasion, an impossibility without sea superiority, Bonaparte’s only option to defeat or pursued Britain into a lasting peace was to blockade all European ports from British shipping. Portugal was the only fissure in this plan.
Political unrest in Spain caused France to cross the Pyrenees, under the guise of being allied to the Spanish Crown, with troops and establish order. This invasion put French troops on the borders of Portugal, with the express intention of forcing a blockade to all British ships.
This incursion westward gave Great Britain the excuse to land troops on the Portuguese beaches in defense of a longtime ally. Along with these troops came a general that was destined for greatness; General Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.
This war was like no other Napoleon had ever waged. Instead of a traditional field battle between masses of organized troops, the Spanish employed guerilla tactics, attacking small outposts, groups, or stragglers, with devastating effect. While it is true that French commanders, such as General Andre Massena, and Marshal Auguste Marmot, didn't have the flair and imagination of their emperor, even if Napoleon would have taken personal command of his troops on the Iberian Peninsula, it is doubtful that a lasting peace could have been achieved.
This short history gives a bird’s eye view of one-quarter of a conflict that engulfed Europe during the early nineteenth century. This book may serve as an inspiration to readers to delve deeper into this tumultuous time in history.
April 9, 2025
Uma visão concisa, mas abrangente, das guerras peninsulares. O foco está nas manobras e ações das forças inglesas e, posteriormente, anglo-portuguesas no espaço ibérico. Analisa o trabalho de Wellington como comandante e estratega militar, capaz de com forças numericamente inferiores e alguma qualidade questionável (o baixo nível dos exércitos espanhóis é muito sublinhado nestas obras, entre a falta de treino dos soldados e à incompetência dos oficiais), enfrentar e vencer sucessivamente as mais bem preparadas e numericamente superiores forças francesas. Uma estratégia que envolveu muitos cuidados defensivos, manobras inteligentes e procurar o confronto mantendo a vantagem do terreno.
Em paralelo, fala-nos do papel das revoltas e guerrilhas, uma guerra de violência extrema que desgastou os franceses, levando-os a atos de vingança que agudizaram mais a revolta. Se as guerras napoleónicas foram, na sua maioria, combates tradicionais caracterizados por manobras e choques entre forças regulares, por cá irrompeu a violência extrema da guerrilha. Não por acaso, o livro qualifica o conflito como a combinação de uma guerra de cavalheiros, seguindo as regras e com cortesias inusitadas entre combatentes, e o combate sujo dos guerrilheiros.
Sendo da Osprey, o livro foca-se estritamente nos aspetos militares, com contextualização histórica. É uma leitura abrangente, que nos leva a conhecer melhor este momento tão dramático da nossa história.
Em paralelo, fala-nos do papel das revoltas e guerrilhas, uma guerra de violência extrema que desgastou os franceses, levando-os a atos de vingança que agudizaram mais a revolta. Se as guerras napoleónicas foram, na sua maioria, combates tradicionais caracterizados por manobras e choques entre forças regulares, por cá irrompeu a violência extrema da guerrilha. Não por acaso, o livro qualifica o conflito como a combinação de uma guerra de cavalheiros, seguindo as regras e com cortesias inusitadas entre combatentes, e o combate sujo dos guerrilheiros.
Sendo da Osprey, o livro foca-se estritamente nos aspetos militares, com contextualização histórica. É uma leitura abrangente, que nos leva a conhecer melhor este momento tão dramático da nossa história.
March 3, 2023
Brief. Informative.
December 30, 2016
While not the most exciting volume (or the most exciting part of the war itself) in the excellent Napoleonic Wars series by Essential Histories, this book succeeds in its mission to be both informative and entertaining. As with most of Essential Histories books, this one gives you a good overview of the topic, including causes and outcomes of the conflict, pertinent economic results, key figures involved, and global significance of the battles within. Of course, the individual battles fought during the time and location focused on are covered to a fair degree of depth, critiquing strategies of all of the involved parties. The most memorable aspect to this volume has got to be the in depth analysis of Wellington, the star of the Peninsular War. His tactics, leadership ability, foresight, and brilliance earned him the title of Britain's most exalted general, and those aspects of him are covered nicely and succinctly here.
So, while not standing out as one of the best Essential Histories I've read, this is more than adequate at covering the task. Just what you expect from a volume in the Essential Histories collection.
So, while not standing out as one of the best Essential Histories I've read, this is more than adequate at covering the task. Just what you expect from a volume in the Essential Histories collection.
September 13, 2016
Osprey continue to impress me with this series of short explanations of the role wars play in the history of the world (primarily in this case Europe).
This focuses on the war in the Iberian Peninsular against Napoleon as waged by the British, Portugese and Spanish.
As many people my age, the Napoleonic wars (and primariy the Peninsular War) came to life in the books of Sharpe (Bernard Cornwell) and it is good to have a brief explanation and analysis of this era.
By it's very nature it is short, but doesn't ignore the primary impacts of the war and the people involved. A welcome addition to the series.
This focuses on the war in the Iberian Peninsular against Napoleon as waged by the British, Portugese and Spanish.
As many people my age, the Napoleonic wars (and primariy the Peninsular War) came to life in the books of Sharpe (Bernard Cornwell) and it is good to have a brief explanation and analysis of this era.
By it's very nature it is short, but doesn't ignore the primary impacts of the war and the people involved. A welcome addition to the series.
September 9, 2014
A basic review and over all look at the Peninsular War. An easy read with a lot of information and good maps.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews