Wellington: The Iron Duke (Text Only)

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Wellington: The Iron Duke

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In The Footsteps of Churchill. How to write a great review. After suffering a brief defeat when ordered to attack ground he had not been able to reconnoiter a lesson never forgotten. The siege began in earnest, on different ground with better sited guns. It succeeded almost immediately, with fewer than casualties among the attackers to between 8,, dead among Tipoo's Mysore tribe. Wellington slept; his soldiers got wildly drunk, and the next day Wellington was named to garrison the fort, again over the head of the senior officer.

Wellington: The Iron Duke - Richard Holmes - Google Книги

Wellington restored order, flogging many and hanging four British soldiers for theft. This only convinced the local General that Wellington was just the man to take charge of the whole Mysore province, which he did through a 5 year-old puppet, the closest surviving descendent of the former Hindu rajahs.

Wellington, vice puppet, ruled fairly, and had to kill another challenger for the province, which he did though his forces were badly outnumbered, and short of supplies. This was my WTF? The book never explained how, or why, Wellington became such a military tactician, leader, fair disciplinarian, and -- above all -- a pioneer in military logistics.

Some talents, I grant you, may be innate. Others may be learned by observation. But the book makes it appear that all four were gifts from the gods. Wellington earned the derisive nickname "Sepoy General" from these exploits, but did his talents spring, unbidden, from the thigh of Zeus? Anyway, now a Major-General, he is assigned to pacify the Peshwa. Starting with a complete rece, and ensuring a secure supply chain, he did so, this this sparked a wider rebellion among three other provinces. Waiting for the natives to fire the first shot, and overcoming the nervousness of the East India Company, Wellington with help from other British forces them each in detail, another portent of a great battle to come.

One of his most famous victories relied on his gaining the other side of a river, where the enemy lay. Although no crossing was known to exist, he lead his army parallel to the river until finding a place where two villages were just across the river from each other: The British won, despite a miscommunication in orders that led to needless deaths, and despite Wellington's being shot off his horse. The war still was on when, in , Wellington ask for a transfer--he's tired, Ill and homesick.

In fact, brother Arthur's term as Governor-General was ending, and the regular army would doubtlessly take its revenge. And he later was supposed to have claimed all knowledge about military matters as I ever had since. Life as a Major-General in London was less notorious -- aside from his famous meeting with Vice Admiral Nelson, the latter on his way to join the fleet at Trafalgar. A year later, Wellington commanded a division in the raid on the Danish Navy: But, his first efforts in Spain ended in ignominy, when The Convention of Cintra, nominally a surrender that he signed, allowed the French to take all their private property, arms and ships back to France.

Only a solid Tory majority saw off that investigation, on top of fresh news of Sir John Moore's martyrdom during the otherwise miraculous evacuation onto Royal Navy vessels of besieged troops that only months before had thrust deep into Spain. Moore's death was Wellington's chance. He was appointed as senior officer in defense of Portugal, where after his usual preparations he drove the French from Mendellin and Talavera. This brought him a viscountcy, but as there was no time to consult over the title, his brother William chose Wellington, on the ground that there was a town called Welling not far from the town of Welleslie.

The remainder of the Peninsular campaign is in some ways as tediously defensive as World War I, but "Salamanca gives the lie to the suggestion that Wellington was simply a great defensive general. Maximillen Poy, who commanded a French division that day, thought that the battle: It broke the French grip on Spain forever, and got Wellington a promotion to full General. Welling made it as far as Toulouse before Napoleon abdicated.

While diplomats met in Vienna to dance, tryst, and write a peace treaty, Wellington becomes Britain's envoy to France, a position Napoleon thought unwise at time, as he would be expecting to be treated as equals by those he humbled. So Wellington went to Vienna to assist Castlereigh. Three months after arriving, Napoleon escaped from Elba, lands on France, and the Czar of all Russia placed his hand on Wellington's shoulder and said "Now it is up to you to save the world again. I've thrown Macdonell into it. Wellington as politician, a subject I had not studied.

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So he resigned as Commander in Chief and Master of Arms. Canning's death restored him to the Tory Cabinet, as Commander in Chief, and following a crisis in the Crimea , he ascended to the top of the greasy pole--but only after promising the King he would not push for Catholic emancipation. Wellington, it is clear, became a reformist Tory--and, although no one would compare him with Disraeli, Wellington was one of Disraeli's early heroes.

He ran the government as he ran the army--a poor delegator, unwilling to listen to other opinions. Wellington started his term with the support only of the high Torys. He fell out with them when he sided with those favoring dissolution of the two most rotten boroughs in England. Needing support from the Whigs, he turned to championing Catholic emancipation. Wellington had to out-wait the King's opposition; the Royal Assent contained a postscript: Winchilsea accused Wellington of "desiring to infringe our liberties and introduce Popery into every department of the state.

The duel was fought at dawn the next day: Wellington aimed wide and shot, and Winchilsea fired into the air. Winchilsea's Second read a prepared statement, to which Wellington insisted the word "apology" be added, and with that, the affair of honor was done. For a Prime Minister to break the law and duel was remarkable. But it completely changed public opinion. The Lords began to swing behind emancipation. He was out of power for a while, though not out of work, as lord-lieutenant of Hampshire. He also cleaned and re-made the Tower of London, of which he had been made Constable.

In opposition, he and the other Tories fought Lord Gray's reform bill to a standstill in the Lords, at the cost of two mob scenes at his own home, two attempts at changes in government and finally -- threatened by a greater evil: He lived long enough not just to see Victoria coronated, but to outlast the Whig Lord Melbourne, and become one of the young Queen's favorites.

And, in one of his last acts in the Lords, he helped vote away the Corn Laws, so noxious to economics and to the British poor. He died in ; the no longer young Queen Victoria was the first visitor to where he lay in state , but "never got beyond the centre of the hall, where her feelings quite overcame her, and whence she was led, weeping bitterly. Holmes's best analysis comes nearly at his last page: He was born when the countryside dominated the town, industry bowed to agriculture, and Britain ruled North America. He was buried [next to Nelson--NOfP] amidst the smoke of busy railways in an accomplished industrial revolution, in a nation which ruled the centre of the greatest empire the world had ever seen, and had begun the long ascent to parliamentary democracy.

He ranks, with the Duke of Marlborough, as one of the two greatest generals Britain produced. The difference is crucial. But Holmes's book won't tell you why. View all 5 comments. Sep 21, Andrew rated it liked it. Finally got around to finishing this last night. Wellington participated in establishing suzerainty over India, ejected the French from Spain, defeated Napolean at Waterloo, and later, as Prime Minister, brokered Irish voting rights into law. The little details are what make the b Finally got around to finishing this last night.

The little details are what make the book worth the bother: Wellington's numerous love affairs, sleeping on table tops after victories, intimidating would-be assassins with his horsemanship, and of course his legendary conduct under battle. One particular point should be studied: Wellington the master of counterinsurgency. Wellington studied the local languages of countries where he served, studied their customs, had a direct rapport with foreign soldiers and strove to maintain the wellbeing of the civilians in conquered areas by providing them food and supplies in a culturally sensitive manner.

I like to think of the British Empire as savage and indifferent. But this little glimpse into Wellington's life shows a man whose understanding of the total consequences of strategy is something sorely lacking in our imperial pursuits. Sep 20, Rohan rated it it was amazing. Mr Holmes outshines us all in typical fashion with his profound insight into the life and story of arguably one of Englands finest generals, Arthur Wellesley the 1st Duke of Wellington. What becomes apparent as one reads the book is the exceedingly competent level of detail to which the author conducted his research. So much so that he physically retraced the steps of the great man himself, from the imposing bastions of India to the battlefields of the peninsular campaign.

This book is an import Mr Holmes outshines us all in typical fashion with his profound insight into the life and story of arguably one of Englands finest generals, Arthur Wellesley the 1st Duke of Wellington. This book is an important stepping stone into this area of history whereby an individual can acquire a base level before carrying on amassing knowledge at a deeper level.

To any historian and dare i say patriotic Englishman, this is a must read. Apr 09, Robert French rated it liked it Shelves: Wellington, The Iron Duke provides a brief summation of the life of Wellington. I was probably expecting a lot more, particularly after recently reading John Sugden 's two volume biography of Nelson. Although, the book covers all the major periods of Wellington's life, i.

I also found the structure of the book a bit disc Wellington, The Iron Duke provides a brief summation of the life of Wellington. I also found the structure of the book a bit disconcerting with each major period of Wellington in a long chapter, with no logical breaks. Since the book is not extremely long, these chapters are not long but they seem to go on and on with minimal structure.

I am definitely going to be looking for a better and far more comprehensive biography of the Iron Duke. The majority of the books I read come from our local regional library and I was quite surprised to find that there are a significant number of books about Napoleon, but this is the only book available about the Wellington.

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I find that a bit ironic. Not my favorite biography, but it did provide a foundation about the Duke of Wellington. Mar 12, Rebecca rated it really liked it. While some readers hoping for a more complex account of Wellington's life may be somewhat disappointed with this book, I think it is a great starting point for those interested in the life of the 'Iron Duke'. I also recommend watching the documentary alongside this book because they make great components together if you ask me. Holmes gives an insightful account into the career of Arthur Wellesley exploring not just his victories but also the lessons he had to learn during his experience in the m While some readers hoping for a more complex account of Wellington's life may be somewhat disappointed with this book, I think it is a great starting point for those interested in the life of the 'Iron Duke'.

Holmes gives an insightful account into the career of Arthur Wellesley exploring not just his victories but also the lessons he had to learn during his experience in the military. I'm also not the biggest fan of politics but the section dealing with Wellington's political career was quite fascinating, especially since he is often considered to be the worst British prime minister in history.

Quite ironic for the man considered to be the greatest British Napoleonic Wars leader after Admiral Nelson. In conclusion watch the documentary, get the book, and see what you think from there. I can understand why it won't appeal to everyone but I remember this being one of the first books that got me into military history and my fascination hasn't changed since. Holmes is certainly an able scholar and researcher, and his prose is very readable.

I was occasionally disappointed that he was not more opinionated than he was. He is at his best and most entertaining when he interjects his own voice and delivers some penetrating analysis, often with a clever turn of phrase. This style was of course his trademark in his BBC documentaries. I often thought he was holding back here in print more than he would like.

One major shortcoming of the Kindle version, which is what I read, is the lack of maps, timelines, or any other aids. Kindle version is text only. Found myself going to the online atlases at West Point and doing Google searches to supplement the text. I assume the print version has maps so if you can get a hard copy, read that instead of the ebook. Aug 13, Oliver rated it liked it. A brief-ish account of Wellington's career. Holmes in a military historian so he tends to be rather more concerned with battle plans than Wellington's political or private life.

Nonetheless he writes with a good balance of detail, summary and anecdote, often deferring to more detailed accounts. Occasionally I got a little lost in Holmes terminology what is the difference between say Light Dragoons and Riflemen but overall it's an enjoyable read. However Holmes fails to get inside the mind of t A brief-ish account of Wellington's career. However Holmes fails to get inside the mind of the man - a difficult target for sure, but to have not attempted it is a failing. Aug 29, Vishakh Thomas rated it liked it. Quick aside - I loved the line in the book which describes them finding the body of Tipu.

It then goes on into the Peninsular campaign and finally to the battle of Waterloo. For all the symbolism of the battle - noteworthy that Wellington almost lost it. Had it not been for the Prussian armies that reorganised, resupplied, rerouted itself and engaged the French, Waterloo would have had a different end.

They were not always on opposing sides. One of the ones that I remember was regarding the Laying of Plans and how they ought to be flexible. Holmes gives a different idea. He says that Wellington fiercely guarded his plans and shared them with no one at all. He was always in the thick of the action, directing the various flanks and columns and corps. But the downside was the risk.

The army would be in chaos had he been shot and killed. The last part of the book describes his years in politics and his stint as Prime Minister navigating through the fickle vicissitudes of public favour in those tumultuous times with the nature of government evolving and democracy going through its painful birth. In some ways Wellington cuts a Patton-esque figure: A thing to note however, is that the book was written as a companion volume to a TV Series on Wellington. Nov 24, Andrew Hurst rated it liked it.

This was an informative book written by a military historian and therefore inevitably concentrating more on Wellington's campaigns. I actually preferred Elizabeth Longford's more detailed biography which I read many years ago as a sixth form student. Jul 19, Lukas rated it liked it Shelves: Considering the persona of Wellington and his life, this was although well researched but not that clearly written biography I feel as eg.

Roberts books flow better and go into more detail.