Wellington's Rifles: Six Years to Waterloo with England's Legendary Sharpshooters
Remaining in the same historical arena covered by his previous book,The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes(2002), an account of the duke of Wellington's spymaster, Urban profiles the 95th Rifles. This regiment in Wellington's army participated in most of the battles of the Peninsular War of 1809-14, and Urban recounts its actions and losses in Wellington's campaigns against the French in Spain. Most of all, in addition to the battle narratives, Urban is intent on developing the experience of soldiering, done through close looks at several privates and officers of the 95th. And since the 95th owns a dashing, intrepid popular reputation and is believed to be the basis of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series (e.g.,Sharpe's Escape[BKL F 1 04]), Urban includes the historical correctives of describing unflattering aspects of warfare from which the 95th was not immune, such as panic in battle, desertion, and pillaging. Not neglecting the class system that affected promotions, Urban successfully rounds out the character of this notable unit and achieves an authoritative history.Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved