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| Rifles: Six Years with Wellington's Legendary Sharpshooters | 
 enlarge | Author: Mark Urban
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Category: Book
List Price: £9.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £9.98 (100%)
New (25) from £2.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 10149
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.9 x 1
ISBN: 0571216811
Dewey Decimal Number: 941
EAN: 9780571216819
ASIN: 0571216811
Publication Date: September 2, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Stiring account of this ground breaking regiment July 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I would never thought of buying this book. I've never really been into the Napoleonic wars even though I only ever tend to read military history. However I was given this book as a surprise birthday present, which I read whilst on holiday. What a cracking read! A well written and researched account of this ground breaking regiments deeds during the peninsular war, and the final encounter at Waterloo. Mark urban does a grand job of putting across the feeling of regimental comradery that must have bonded this fighting elite. While reading you get the feeling the rifles were to all intense purposes modern day soldiers fighting in a 19th century war. This lot would 'soften up' the massive French columns before the ordinary soldiers of the line unleashed their murderous volleys at a closer range. The heroism displayed and told in actions and hand to hand is both immense and impressive. Brilliant stuff, and a poignant quote used in the last couple of paragraphs of this book left me tears.
 The real Sharpe June 17, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Having been a student of military history at uni and having grown up reading Bernard Cornwell's adventures of Richard Sharpe it was very interesting to read the true life accounts of the men of the 95th (or at least the 1st Battalion). Urban manages to make his book both informative and interesting, there are enough first hand accounts to stop it reading like a text book but there is still a wealth of academic information to keep the military historian happy. It was very interesting to follow the lives of several key figures within the battalion watching as their careers developed or indeed ended abruptly on the battlefield (or in at least one case, in front of a firing squad).
This is not a campaign history of the Peninsular war, although there is plenty of information on the subject, nor is it a regimental history of the 95th; it is more a personal history of the men of the 1st battalion of that unit that followed Wellington from Talavera to Waterloo. It focuses not only on their experiences in battle, be in small skirmishes, large set piece battles or the storming of a breach but also on the day to day lives of the soldiers covering such topics as food, shelter, desertion, advancement, money and entertainment. All in all a great book and well worth a read for anyone wishing to find the true Richard Sharpes of Wellington's army.
Recommended April 28, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an enjoyable account of the 95th Rifles in the Peninsular war (with a final chapter covering Waterloo and later developments of the 95th). I'd recommend the book if you're at all interested in this period of history, military history in general or a fan of the Richard Sharpe books. A highlight of the book is the sketches of some of the characters - especially Robert Craufurd who is as memorable and paradoxical as any fictional character I've read. One minor problem is towards the end of the the battles (and some of the characters) tend to merge into one - I think this is due mainly to the nature of the subject and Urban in general has produced a very readable book.
Peninsular Historical work of art I reckon. April 14, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you're into this campaign era you have just got to read this book. Don't be concerned that it is focussed on the 95th Rifles; it gives absolutely essential background details into campaign life in the Napoleonic British Army of the time. First thing I realised is there isn't much difference to the modern era, officers are still the same (unfortunately - do you know the lighthouse joke?), similar traditions are all still current and regimental life amongst the ranks is basically the same as it was then. The book suggest this period of change of thought from mass unit movement and volley musket fire to skirmish tactics, aimed rifle fire and small team interaction (the thinking soldier) is the foundation of the Modern British Army. This is of course totally correct but it is really nice to read the various accounts of how these ideas were proven and came to be recognised by as usual those 'muppets' that always think they know better? Lots of accounts of personal bravery that I really have to take my hat off to, they were tough blokes indeed and a few mishaps that always leave a bitter taste in your mouth, normally to do with some lighthouse mentioned earlier. I'm sure if you even have a remote interest in Napoleonic warfare this will more than satisfy your needs.
The Legendary Sharpshooters August 27, 2006
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
Mark Urban is a well known and well respected journalist. He has covered many wars in his role both as a newspaper and television journalist and has written several books including `The SAS and the Secret Struggle against the IRA,' and more recently the best seller `The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes.' For anyone with an interest in British military history this book is a must read.
For any readers who enjoy the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell, this is the chance to read about the real thing as Mark Urban recounts the story of the 95th rifles, the regiment that provided the Duke of Wellington with his crack troops. These were the first riflemen to actually aim at their target. In the past riflemen had basically fired in volleys in the general direction of the enemy and just hoped that they hit someone or something.
These men are not the typical soldiers that were around at the time. They fight tactically and maneouvre. They are a complete new breed of men, creating what is the modern idea of the British infantryman.
The book is not some dour historical tome, but a vibrant, interesting insight into life in the British Army at the time of Wellington's greatest triumphs.
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