A guide to the Peninsular War, blending expert insights with detailed visits to key battlefields and historical sites.
A frequent visitor to Spain and Portugal who has specialized in the history of the Peninsular War for his entire career, Charles Esdaile has visited most of the battlefields and other sites associated with that conflict. In
Battles and Battlefields of the Peninsular War
, he places his unrivaled knowledge of the subject at the disposal of all those anxious to follow in the footsteps, not just of Sir John Moore and the Duke of Wellington, but a host of other figures, including such neglected commanders as the victor of Bailén, Francisco-Javier Castaños.
For each of the 28 combats included in
, there is a concise but insightful summary of the historical events, a new color map showing both modern roads and landmarks as well as historical troop positions, color pictures of the battlefield, and a guide to visiting the scene of the action today. An ideal companion for anyone who wants to explore the battlefields, it also serves as an excellent introduction to studying the Peninsular War.