At last, in this absorbing and authoritative study, the story of the epic struggle on Spain's eastern front during the Peninsular War has been told. Often overlooked as not integral to the Duke of Wellington's main army and their campaigns in Portugal and western Spain, they were, in point of fact, intrinsically linked. Nick Lipscombe, a leading historian of the Napoleonic Wars and an expert on the fighting in the Iberian peninsula, describes in graphic detail the battles fought by the French army of General Suchet against the Spanish regulars and guerrillas and subsequently the Anglo-Sicilian force sent by the British government to stabilize the region. Despite Suchet's initial successes and repeated setbacks for the allied armies, by late 1813 the east coast of Spain held a key to Wellington's invasion of France and the ultimate defeat of Napoleon's armies in the Peninsula. At a tactical level the allies were undeniably successful and made an important contribution to the eventual French defeat. AUTHOR: Nick Lipscombe is a leading historian of the Peninsular War and an expert guide to the Peninsular battlefields. For over thirty years he served in the British army. He is an established author of books on the military history of the Napoleonic period, including Bayonne and Toulouse 1813-14, Wellington's Guns and the award-winning The Peninsular War Atlas. He is the editor of Waterloo: The Decisive Victory and was the chairman of Peninsular War 200, the UK's official organization for commemorating the bicentenary of the conflict. 30 colour and b/w illustrations
Industry Reviews
"Although arguably the struggle on Spain's eastern front is often overlooked as not being integral to the Duke of Wellington's main army and their campaigns in Portugal and western Spain, the author of this very readable new book argues that they were in fact intrinsically linked."--Stuart Asquith, author
"If there was ever a moment that Wellington was thrown into despair in the course of the Peninsular War, it was when the French captured the eastern city of Valencia on 8 January 1812. In this much needed addition to the literature, Nick Lipscombe has given chapter and verse as to why a front that has generally been overlooked was actually crucial to the outcome of the struggle. Highly recommended."--Professor Charles Esdaile
"The author behind the title is an established authority on the Peninsular War and a gifted battlefield guide... Not to be missed by students of the Peninsular War."-- "Soldiers"
"The book describes in graphic detail the battles fought by the French army of General Suchet against the Spanish regulars and guerrillas... Mr. Lipscombe is a leading historian on the Peninsular War and Napoleonic Wars."-- "Regency Explorer"
"This is an important volume for students of the Peninsular War, bringing to readers a clear understanding of a heretofore largely neglected section of that conflict."-- "Gunner Magazine"
"You will find a comprehensive book on operations on the Valencia, Girona, Zaragoza and Saguntum, during the Spanish campaign, with maps and orders of precise battle in annex."-- "Vae Victis"
"Nick Lipscombe, a recognized expert in military history, fills a gap and provides a nine on this forgotten war."-- "Gloire & Empire, No. 72"
