The men who stood beside the Great Duke
The Duke of Wellington was indisputably one of the most able military commanders in British history. He was not only a powerful intellect, but also a man of substantial character. In a time of aristocrats, Wellington was an autocrat able to manage powerful men by force of his still greater will and presence; with success came their inevitable respect. To Wellington, delegation failed to come easily and he clearly doubted the wisdom of it as a policy. He insisted on a knowledge of all things that might concern him and was prepared to issue directives...

The men who stood beside the Great Duke
The Duke of Wellington was indisputably one of the most able military commanders in British history. He was not only a powerful intellect, but also a man of substantial character. In a time of aristocrats, Wellington was an autocrat able to manage powerful men by force of his still greater will and presence; with success came their inevitable respect. To Wellington, delegation failed to come easily and he clearly doubted the wisdom of it as a policy. He insisted on a knowledge of all things that might concern him and was prepared to issue directives...

Napoleon's war for Spain and Portugal
The author of this book, Alexander Innes Shand, was a prolific writer of his day producing popular histories, biographies of renowned soldiers, novels and as a notable field sportsman numerous works on hunting, shooting and fishing. He was also a newspaper correspondent and covered the Franco-Prussian War for The Times followed by a book about his experiences during the conflict. His particular interest in the Peninsular War resulted in two books, the one you are now holding and the other about the careers of Wellington's Lieutenants (also published...

Napoleon's war for Spain and Portugal
The author of this book, Alexander Innes Shand, was a prolific writer of his day producing popular histories, biographies of renowned soldiers, novels and as a notable field sportsman numerous works on hunting, shooting and fishing. He was also a newspaper correspondent and covered the Franco-Prussian War for The Times followed by a book about his experiences during the conflict. His particular interest in the Peninsular War resulted in two books, the one you are now holding and the other about the careers of Wellington's Lieutenants (also published...

The career of one of Wellington's most successful generals
If Napoleon could be accused of delegating too much responsibility to subordinates incapable of delivering the results he expected, then Wellington could be regarded as the opposite, in that he rarely delegated to senior officers anything that he felt he could do himself. Consequently, almost all the achievements of his officers are viewed within the context of Wellington's own commanding presence. There was only one of his generals in whom he could place absolute faith and that was Rowland Hill. Affectionately nicknamed 'Daddy'...

The career of one of Wellington's most successful generals
If Napoleon could be accused of delegating too much responsibility to subordinates incapable of delivering the results he expected, then Wellington could be regarded as the opposite, in that he rarely delegated to senior officers anything that he felt he could do himself. Consequently, almost all the achievements of his officers are viewed within the context of Wellington's own commanding presence. There was only one of his generals in whom he could place absolute faith and that was Rowland Hill. Affectionately nicknamed 'Daddy'...