Do we need another book about Waterloo? If they are like this we most certainly do. This book is different because of the primary source material researched to create it. The usual story is not trotted out without a fresh critical analysis. Within the book one chapter stands above all others for me and that is chapter 8. The movements of 1st Corps is a tale of mismanagement and confusion and has been a source of conjecture for all who study Quatre Bras. Paul Dawson makes, as clear as possible, the events of the day carefully weighing the evidence for the ultimate actions of the key players. He makes the confusion clear while bewailing the fact that verbal exchanges which could have played an important part on the day are lost to history. This is a book for the Waterloo 'aficionado' written in a way which is easily accessible to the general reader. I highly recommend this book and at the time of writing look forward to, the soon to be published, Paul Dawson's 'Waterloo. The Truth at Last'... Read more
Clash of Steel

I have an abiding admiration for Guernsey-born Admiral James Saumarez and in fact dedicate my upcoming book The Baltic Prize (out in November) to this Royal Navy officer. His first battle was against the American revolutionaries in 1775, thereafter his main opponents were the French and the Spanish, and the first fighting ship he commanded, the eight-gun galley Spitfire, was involved in forty-seven engagements before being run aground. Rising through the ranks, Saumarez fought on land and at sea. He was involved in actions in the English Channel, served in HMS Victory, took part in the Battle of Cape St Vincent, the Blockade of Cadiz, and was with Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he led his ships at the battles of Algeciras and the Gut of Gibraltar. Saumarez was then despatched into the Baltic, where he was crucial in keeping open Britain’s last vital trade route by an astute combination of diplomacy and a mailed fist. A fascinating biography of a hero by anyone’s.. Read more
Julian Stockwin action-adventure historical fiction

This book is required reading for any student of Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars.
The Armourer, inc. Classic Arms & Militaria, August 2017

The writer manages to vividly convey what it was like to take part in two hard fought campaigns, not for glory, but for survival.
Stuart Asquith, Author

First published in French in Paris 1814, in English 1990 this book presents an account of the Peninsular War from a somewhat different perspective. The writer was a junior officer in Napoleon’s 2nd Regiment of Hussars, and he presents early events in the conflict, such as the march and then Napoleon’s entry into Madrid, as well as subsequent actions, including the pursuit to Corunna. For De Rocca Spain was a totally hostile country, where he was constantly under threat from both the Spanish troops and civilian population. He describes the fighting in fairly uncompromising detail, providing the reader with a vivid account of the Peninsular War. Noted historian Philip Haythornthwaite has provided an interesting introduction to the text and there are four maps.
Stuart Asquith, Author