The Battle of Waterloo, fought over the course of a day on a muddy field in Belgium, brought an end to two decades of war in Europe. It had been a draining conflict, both financially and in terms of human life, and had threatened the very sovereignty of numerous nations. Here, at the crisis point, Bonaparte and Wellington faced each other at last and fought for control of the continent. The tale of the battle that ended the Napoleonic Wars has been told many times, but most often in terms of the political and military situation, debates over strategies, tactics and the broader global arena. In this book, the story is told by those who were present, in their own words. The accounts come from letters, diaries and published accounts, sometimes recounted many years later, the eyewitness testimonies of officers and ordinary soldiers, friend and foe. This gripping collection of first-hand experiences lets us feel the deafening roar of cannon, hear the anguished cries of the wounded and marvel at the heroism on both sides, at the very heart of a battle that was to prove one of the major turning points in European history.

About the Author
Martyn Beardsley is a writer and historian. He has written thirty-five books, including Deadly Winter, the biography of Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, and A Matter of Honour: The Story of England's Last Fatal Duel. He has conducted extensive research into the Napoleonic Wars. He lives in Nottingham.

Reviews
'A genuinely compelling narrative that puts you right among the musket smoke and cannonballs' -- History of War
'Rarely has there been so extensive an outpouring of accounts by survivors of one of the great battles of history' -- Military Hsitory Monthly



Book Information
ISBN 9781445660165
Author Martyn Beardsley
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 266g