Series:

Cambridge Library Collection - Naval and Military History

2 primary works • 13 total works

Volume 4

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B.
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how Charles's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 4 includes Napier's resignation in 1847 and return to England, his social engagements, his final posting to India in 1849, the controversies that followed him into retirement, and his death in 1853.

Volume 6

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: Volume 6
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements subsequently produced. Volume 6 deals with the aftermath of the battle of Vitoria, the withdrawal of the French from Spain and the entry of the Allied troops into France. This period culminated in the second battle of Toulouse, in April 1814, between Wellington and Soult, and the abdication of Napoleon.

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B. (Volume 4)
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how Charles's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 4 includes Napier's resignation in 1847 and return to England, his social engagements, his final posting to India in 1849, the controversies that followed him into retirement, and his death in 1853.

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B. 4 Volume Paperback Set
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes, ranging from his childhood in Ireland through the Peninsular War to his controversial military and political roles in India in later life. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how his brother's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'.

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B Volume 1
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how his brother's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 1 describes Napier's upbringing in Ireland - where, according to his brother, he was 'sickly as a child from the misconduct of a barbarous nurse' - and his early years abroad in combat.

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B. (Volume 3)
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how Charles's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 3 covers Napier's period as Governor of Sind from 1843, the challenges of disease, climate and political rivalry he faced there, and his significant achievements.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France (Volume 2)
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements subsequently produced. Volume 2 covers the period from the beginning of 1809 to the British retreat back to Portugal after the Battle of Talavera in July. Significant events include the departure of Napoleon to France, and Wellesley's return to Portugal as commander of the Anglo-Portuguese forces.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France 6 Volume Set
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. He had access to the papers of many of the participants, including French state and military letters. Although denied the use of Wellington's papers, he spent several months at Stratfield Saye, interviewing the Duke, and he also met French generals in Paris. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements which were subsequently produced.

Cover of The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B.: Volume 2
Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how Charles's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 2 includes Napier's influential response to the Chartist unrest in northern England, where his supporters claimed he prevented a civil war, and his appointment as commander of the British army in Sind.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: Volume 1
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements which were subsequently produced. Volume 1 covers the period from the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807, which ended war on the eastern front and so left Napoleon free to turn his attention to Iberia, to the aftermath of the death of Sir John Moore, Napier's mentor, at Coruna.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: Volume 5
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements subsequently produced. Volume 5 is prefixed by further refutations of published criticisms. It then covers the period from the siege of Badajoz and the Allies' military setbacks of late 1812 to the battle of Vitoria in June 1813, a crucial victory which ultimately led to French troops retiring from Spain.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: Volume 4
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements subsequently produced. Volume 4 covers the period from 1810 to the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo and the siege of Badajoz in 1812. Napier believed that Badajoz marked a turning point, and while greatly admiring Wellington, attributes the Allied victory in part to Napoleon's involvement in Russia.

Cover of History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: Volume 3
Published between 1828 and 1840, Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula was a tremendously influential, if controversial, work. Napier had been actively involved in the campaigns, turning to history in peacetime, in part to refute Southey's account of Sir John Moore. The first volume had a mixed reception, getting both high praise and bitter criticism from participants in the wars. He published several works rebutting his critics while producing the later volumes. Because of his obvious lack of impartiality, modern military historians treat the work with caution, but it remains widely read in the many editions and abridgements subsequently produced. Volume 3 is prefixed with the author's answers to criticisms of the first edition, and covers the period from Talavera to the Battle of Albuera in May 1811. Napier is highly critical of General Beresford's conduct of the battle, but it led to a French retreat.