Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon, 1807-1815

An account of the last years of Britain's war against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. Rory Muir attempts to show the struggle as one in which the entire British nation (the politicians, the press, the crown, civilians, soldiers and commanders) concerted to bring about victory. Muir starts his history in 1807, (why not in 1803 with the collapse of Amiens?) going from the Spanish uprising to the Battle of Waterloo, examining how diplomatic, financial, military and political considerations combined to shape political policies and priorities. The book is based on a detailed investigation of primary and secondary sources, and on a thorough examination of the vast archives left by the Duke of Wellington. There are new insights into the personalities of Canning, Castlereagh, Perceval, Lord Wellesley, Wellington and the Prince Regent, as well as fresh information on the financial background of Britain's campaigns. A vigorously written, pro-British treatment of the period.