Collins, 1971

Sir Arthur describes how in his Indian campaigns the young Wellesley displayed the same military and administrative powers as later proved too much for one after another of Napoleon's Marshals and, ultimately, for Napoleon himself. Bryant draws in places on his earlier accounts of Peninsular campaigns and battles, but these have been rewritten and supplemented to form a comprehensive and deeply moving portrait of the man and his achievements. So has his superb description of Waterloo. Concentrating on Wellington's military career, he makes no attempt to duplicate Lady Longford's full-scale biography.yet his narrative illuminates with wit, insight and moving detail not only Wellijngton's humanity but the character of his troops, whom he would rate or flog, but for whom he would ride sixty miles through a winter night to provide medical care, and spare himself no trouble which could save their lives and ensure their rations and victory...