It was a very interesting history of wars that I don’t really know a lot about. The story was really in depth and well researched. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy this

NetGalley, Arlene Mullen

As Featured In

Military History Matters February/March 2022

"This is a book that should form part of any Peninsular library."

The Waterloo Association

I liked the constant return to diaries and letter of those serving in the campaign: contemporary opinions illuminate a history. Detailed but clear and a very readable 236 pages.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

Carole Divall is to be congratulated on a very fine volume giving the reader direct insight into the reality of combat during the Napoleonic Wars. This work is a worthy addition to the library of those with an interest in the Napoleonic wars and the Peninsula campaign in particular.

Martin Willoughby, The Wessex Branch of the Western Front Association

Well done, Carole Divall, for writing an excellent account of this - by many - long-forgotten battle; a battle that put paid to Napoleon's interests in Iberia and was a useful 'warm-up' for the Battle of Waterloo two years later.

The book has everything that those of us without a specialist knowledge of this era crave: a well written narrative, useful appendices, notes, a bibliography and a comprehensive index. This will be an essential addition to the Pensinsular war library.

5 stars

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Paul Nixon

The value of this book is in the description of the whole campaign while the battle description gives a real flavour of a Peninsular battlefield. We recommend this very good read to a wide audience.

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Clash of Steel

"A worthy book that deserves to be bought."

Friends of the Waterloo Committee Ass

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As the title says, Wellington and the Vitoria Campaign focuses solely on the before, during, and after of the battle of 21 June of 1813 in Vitoria, Spain. Carole Divall organizes the events in a carefully laid timeline and alternates the POVs of the French side with the Allies in a way that avoids confusion. Also combines the clinical aspects of the battle with personal accounts by incorporating extracts from letters and quoting personal anecdotes by those who experienced the campaign, which makes this read not a chore at all and gives it a more humane look at the event.

The addition of maps, table of casualties per each regiment, and illustrations of key people and zones is a great plus.

Overall, I recommend this book for anyone interested on this battle.

NetGalley, Fenriz Angelo

A good historical book regarding Wellington’s battle at Vitoria. The author makes good use of personal accounts by those at the battle to really enhance the story. The event is well described and you get a feeling of being in the action. A great read.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer

This is an excellent narrative history of the campaign and battle drawing on many personal accounts to deliver a story that gathers momentum and insight. It I supported by good maps although as ever having google earth to hand will make the geography clearer. The appendices showing the detailed order of battle and losses to battalion level are most helpful as indeed is Wellington’s Vitoria Despatch which as an example of brevity nonetheless gives a very useful overview of the battle that I recommend be read first.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy