History Of The War In The Peninsula And In The South Of France. From The Year 1807 To The Year 1814.
By W.F.P. Napier
Published by Thomas & William Boone: London
"William Francis Patrick Napier's monumental History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France remains one of the most authoritative and passionate first-hand military accounts of the Napoleonic campaigns in Spain and Portugal. Drawing upon his own experiences as a British officer and extensive access to official documents, Napier chronicles the complex series of battles fought between 1807 and 1814, when British, Portuguese, and Spanish forces, under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington), resisted Napoleon's domination of the Iberian Peninsula. His vivid narrative captures not only the tactics and heroism of the campaign but also the political intrigues, human suffering, and moral conviction that defined this pivotal conflict in European history.
Across the six volumes, Napier's prose blends meticulous historical research with a soldier's emotional insight. He reconstructs key engagements such as Talavera, Salamanca, Vittoria, and Toulouse, while analyzing the logistical challenges, leadership rivalries, and the courage of ordinary troops. His treatment of both British and French perspectives lends the work a rare balance for its time, though Napier's sometimes fiery defense of British commanders and critique of political meddling make it as controversial as it is compelling. Each volume reflects the painstaking care of a historian determined to record truth with fidelity, supported by extensive appendices, official reports, and battlefield correspondence.
This fine leather-bound set, issued by Thomas & William Boone between 1834 and 1840, represents an early and desirable printing sequence—volumes IV to VI being first editions and the earlier three in their revised third editions. It embodies not only a cornerstone of nineteenth-century military historiography but also a handsome example of period craftsmanship in historical publishing. This set would strongly appeal to collectors of Napoleonic literature, military historians, and admirers of classic British historical works presented in elegant bindings."
