Martin McDowell

I have read many books and series about the Peninsular War starting with Forester's Riflemen Dodd and The Gun and no one has portrayed it better than Martin McDowell. His research and commitment to the legacy of this one regiment have sustained their history, with a cast of viable characters and a vibrant storyline, superbly. He is the first author, to my knowledge, to include the final battles in France as the appropriate conclusion of the Peninsular Campaign. Hopefully, this series has at least one more book about Waterloo and the "Rag and Bones" Regiment.

The French penchant for offense over defense gave "The Peer" an edge that he utilized to his advantage. As McDowell aptly demonstrates; knowledge and utilization of the terrain coupled with capable and rapid battlefield communications are often the keys to victory. His battlefield portrayals demonstrate his commitment to accurately setting the scene for the combatants. The maps the author used in guiding and framing his text would have made a superb addendum to each of the books in the series.

Serious battles ensue before the disciplined rifles and muskets of the British infantry demonstrate the lethal advantage of volleys and line over columns and bulk. It was very unfortunate that British generals in WW1 did not heed these military history lessons as they succumbed to trench warfare to kill millions.… (mehr)

This excellent series continues with its latest installment. Wellington rebounds from an early setback to begin his campaign to drive Napolean out of Spain. Serious battles ensue before the disciplined rifles of the British infantry demonstrate the lethal advantage of volleys and line over columns and bulk. It was very unfortunate that British generals in WW1 did not heed these military history lessons as they succumbed to trench warfare to kill millions.
The French penchant for offense over defense gave "The Peer" an edge that he utilized to his advantage. As McDowell aptly demonstrates; knowledge and utilization of the terrain coupled with capable and rapid battlefield communications are often the keys to victory.… (mehr)

This is an outstanding finale, hopefully not, to a most excellent Penninsular War Series McDowell has done a very high level of due diligence through his literature review on to personal visitations to the battle sites. The "Rag and Bone Men" of the 105th Regiment serve as very apt standins for the Briitish Regiments that served in this horrific campaign. I have enjoyed the excellent fictional portrayals of this often-overlooked war from Forester's Rifleman Dodds through Cornwell' Sharpe Series to this current series.
McDowell captures vividly the horror of the battles and sieges as well as the difficulties of the terrain, the complex and often faulty logistics within the context of the rigid and brutal society that was military life.… (mehr)