The Peninsular War Atlas (General Military) [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

My copy of The Penninsular War Atlas just arrived and I'm very pleased with it. At first glance, I was suprised as to the quality of the production itself given the reasonable price; it's a thick, hard-bound tome with exquisite paper stock, a beautiful cover, and even a well-constructed, high-quality slip cover. Just looking at it, one would think it's more of a coffee-table conversation piece than a historical study. However, the real value is in the book itself. For anyone familiar with (or interested in learning more about) European military history, in particular Spanish, Portuguese, British and French military history, this is a must-have.

An ardent or amatuer military historian of any era will feel at home in this book. The maps are very clear, depict the campains overall, and then the precise battles of the war. The key is common to that of most military atlases, and the text is opposite the map page so it's easy to follow the train of events.

The chapters themselves follow the chronology of the Pennisular War. The details of the force dispositions, the battles themselves, and the commanders' correspondance are extremely well-researched. It's very easy to see why it took the author, a British Army Colonel, ten years to write it. Just by reading the early chapters, it's clear that he was able to get inside the heads of the commanders on the ground, and that he spent time walking the battlefields in Spain and Portugal. Perhaps most interestingly of all, he shows his work; the appendicies hold a wealth of detail indespensible to a student of the war.

On a side note: the current Duke of Wellington penned the forward (I say 'current' because a former Duke actually fought during the Pennisular Wars).

I'm really looking foward to going through it page-by-page, map-by-map. I also hope to walk the battlefields myself, maybe someday...

I first became interested in the Peninsula War during a visit to Torres Vedras, Portugal in 2006 when a local resident shared his perspectives on the Lines of Torres Vedras and how those fortifications shaped Europe as we know it today. I was intrigued by his story and decided to learn more about the Peninsula War, but finding the facts have been difficult - until now. Most of the books I have tried to study seem to be written for a different type of person - someone who already knows enough to write the book, or someone who simply loves to read. I am neither of those. Maybe I'm more a scientist than a historian, but I want the facts, and I want them presented in a way that any intelligent person can understand.

I friend loaned me a copy of "The Peninsula War Atlas" by Nick Lipscombe a few weeks ago. After only a few hours, I decided it was the book for me. Clearly, Lipscombe knows his material, but he doesn't try to impress you with irrelevant facts. He simply presents the important facts in a way that brings history alive. This is exactly how military history should be presented. Great maps, clear and to the point, with good simple text - and supported by fine detail at the back of the book if that is required. He has walked the fields of battle and the forts that were besieged and this, coupled with his extensive military background (I note he has a US Bronze Star!), have combined to bring this history alive. He has not been content to just copy what others have produced. That in itself have reportedly resulted in some groundbreaking discoveries - which after 200 years is no small achievement. I really like this book, I have recommended it to my friends and I recommend it to you - it will not disappoint. Great Stuff.

I recently ordered and received a copy of this magnificent book from The Military Book Club. Though years ago I came by a copy of A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars I was not quite ready for this atlas of the Peninsular War. For one thing this new book is more compact and lighter to hold and read. The layout are very easy to view with the color being excellent. However, both books are 5-star plus volumes, with each no doubt to find their honored place on thousands of home and library book shelves.

The Peninsular War Atlas has 161 original maps printed in glorious color and design. One of the blurbs calls it a "topographic guide to the conflict" and it certainly lives up to that description. Issued as part of the 200 year remembrance of the some 40,000 personnel who lost their lives in the 1808-1814 conflict. The atlas, also to my surprise, is slip cased.

As an average reader, hardly expert, on the Napoleonic era and wars, this book is the most impressive I have in my home collection. I'll leave it to those better informed on this issue to delve more deeply into a discussion pro or con. However, for my taste this has to be not only a book whose value and usefulness can only grow with ensuing years but also a volume that anyone interested in this conflict will necessarily need to have.

For the average reader the cost may seem prohibitive, it did to me even in the book club with a heck of a discount, but that will all be forgotten once the volume is in hand.

Cannot say enough good things about this book nor recommend it highly enough.

Semper Fi.