In this definitive account of the Peninsular War (1808-14), Napoleon's six-yearwar against Spain, Ronald Fraser examines what led to the emperor'sdevastating defeat against the popular opposition - the guerrillas -and their British and Portuguese allies. As well as relating thehistories of the great political and military figures of the war,Fraser brings to life the anonymous masses - the artisans, peasants andwomen who fought, suffered and died - and restores their role in thisbarbaric war to its rightful place while overturning the view that thiswas a straightforward military campaign. This vivid, meticulouslyresearched book offers a distinct and profound vision of "Napoleon'sVietnam" and shows the reality of the disasters of war: the suffering,discontents and social upheaval that accompanied the fighting.
