This is a story of three men parts of which, if told as fiction, would be seen as taking things too far. Who would believe that an army officer in uniform and in their right mind, would take a journey of a few hundred miles, behind the enemy lines, accompanied by his servant and with various guides? And another who after capture and being held prisoner in Paris continues to send valuable information back to the commander in the Peninsular? The adventures of the three principals is well told against the background of the Peninsular war. The author, Mary McGrigor, has an easy, readable presentation of the facts and uses lots of extracts from the men’s journals and other official papers to support her words. Here are rich insights into the character of a certain class of men of that period. They don’t all have it easy and they don’t all survive but to say more would be to spoil the story.
This book takes a different, fascinating angle on life in the British army for three men in the Peninsular war. It can be read as a novel but it is so much more than that. We highly recommend it.

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Clash of Steel

This is a rather good read that underlines the essential role of information in conditioning battlefield decisions. Wellington’s Spies offers insight into the valued efforts of what were essentially daring adventurers who were able to cross lines to discover information and return with added value. It was by no means unique to Wellington and this book should not be read without reference to the equally daring exploits of Charles Schulmeister on behalf of Napoleon before and during the Ulm/Austerlitz campaign in 1805.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy