Wellington : The Iron Duke

In this compelling book - and hugely popular accompanying BBC series - Richard Holmes charts the extraordinary progress of Britain's greatest-ever soldier from the ruins of his family seat in Ireland to the plains of India, where Wellesley first gained his reputation as a brilliant and courageous commander, to the horrors of the Peninsular War and ultimately to Waterloo. Holmes excavates a brilliant figure, idealistic in politics, cynical in love, a wit, a beau, a man of enormous courage and iron duty often sickened by the horrors of war. However, Wellington's journey to greatness and recognition as the man who saved Europe from the tyranny of Napoleon, includes tales of philandering and exposes a man who sometimes despised the men he led, and was not always in control of them.

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON WAS NOT ALWAYS GOOD, BUT HE WAS UNQUESTIONABLY GREAT, AND THIS LIVELY AND INFORMED BOOK IS SOCIAL, MILITARY AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY AT ITS FINEST

"Holmes has written the best life of Wellington that there is...Richard Holmes has returned from his long quest with an historical holy grail; the true character of Britain's grittiest soldier."


ANDREW ROBERTS, 'Sunday Telegraph'