Wellington: The Iron Duke (review)

When I was offered this review, the book was described to me as “slim”. My initial impression upon seeing the book was that this description was an understatement. However, after reading it, it becomes clear that “slim” is inaccurate. “Compact”, or “condensed”, or even “concise” might be more accurate terms. The publishers of this book, Potomac Books, intend it, and other books in their Military Profiles series, to provide “a starting point for those who wish to pursue a more advanced study of the subject” (back cover material). For that purpose, this book is excellent.

There is no denying the solidity of the scholarship. Philip Haythornthwaite is an acknowledged expert on Wellington, and in this book covers Wellington’s entire life from his birth in 1769 through his death in 1852. Although the largest portion of the book covers, as might be expected, Wellington’s military career, Haythornthwaite includes discussions of Wellington’s early life and his post-Waterloo political career. Indeed, he argues convincingly that Wellington’s political career grew naturally from his military career, and that both were fully consistent with his view of duty towards his country.

Due to the nature of the book, Haythornthwaite does not cover anything in exhaustive depth, but provides enough detail for the academic reader while maintaining a briskness of pace which will be appreciated by the casual reader. The writing is clear and easy to read. While the book adds little to the field, it does meet its stated goal of introducing the material to a new audience.

In keeping with that goal, the book includes an extensive bibliography of both primary and secondary materials. There is also a small selection of glossy prints of portraits and sketches showing Wellington at various points in his life. There are, however, only two maps, which are poorly rendered. One of the maps is of the Iberian Peninsula, and shows cities, forts, and roads, but not battle sites or troop movements. The other map is of the Waterloo Campaign, and shows the broad movements of armies but not the detailed movements of individual units.

The maps, I think, are the chief failing of this publication, especially since Haythornthwaite presents Wellington’s military genius as deriving from his skill at troop placement, and his ability to choose terrain and make the best possible use of it once his troops were arrayed. Because of this presentation of Wellington, the poor selection of maps is particularly frustrating. As a reader and a historian, I would happily have sacrificed the glossy portraits for three or four well drawn battle maps.

That being said, the book covers the material well, and is very reasonably priced. I would recommend this book to the established academic seeking a quick reference, the newly interested reader seeking an introduction to the material, or the casual reader who only wants a basic overview of Wellington’s life.