A History of the Peninsular War: September 1809 to December 1810, Ocana, Cadiz, Bussaco, Torres Vedras

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Summary: The Central Crisis of the Peninsular War
Review: Volume III of Charles Oman's seminal work covers the "central crisis" of the Peninsular War. Napoleon's France makes a supreme effort to consolidate its conquest of Spain and to drive the British Army out of Portugal, and fails. Stubborn Spanish resistance outlasts both battlefield defeats and painful shortfalls in organization and leadership. Portugal withstands a full-blooded French invasion led by the experienced Marshal Massena. The key to Portugal's survival is Welligton's cold-eyed understanding of what a successful defense will require, and his patience and ruthlessness in carrying out his plan. His skillful use of the Anglo-Portuguese Army and his far-sighted mobilization of the whole resources of the Kingdom of Portugal is just enough to cause a French defeat. Highlights of this volume include the great Anglo-Portuguese defensive victory at Bussaco, and the defense of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Oman provides a balanced yet detailed narrative at the operational level of war of events in both Portugal and Spain. Those looking for vivid battlefield should seek elsewhere; Oman is not a master of the battlefield tactics of the period, nor is that his primary focus. This volume was first published in 1908; readers should be forewarned that Oman writes in an older style that takes some getting used to. This series by Oman on the Peninsular War continues to be the standard work against which all others are measured.