8.75 x 5.5 in.  440 pages.  42 photographs and drawings, 13 maps.
Greenhill Books Napoleonic Library

In 1810, the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida were crucial to both British and French strategy in the Peninsula. Wellington's plans to mobilize and defend Portugal depended upon resistance to the Emperor's troops at the frontier; Masséna's successful siege of Ciudad Rodrigo from April to July that year was intended as the prelude to invasion from Spain. The siege of Almeida, which followed in August, was concluded within twelve days. Meanwhile, however, the main British and Portuguese effort was directed at the critical Lines of Torres Verdas protecting Lisbon, which were completed during the time that the attention of the French was held elsewhere.

Based on original correspondence in the private archives of the Masséna family and various archival collections in France, Portugal, Spain and England, Napoleon and Iberia is an outstanding account of the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida and the attendant military operations. Donald Horward provides an analysis of siege warfare and a detailed narrative of the two sieges with all their accompanying logistical problems, set in the context of Wellington's overall strategy for the defence of Portugal and the outcome of the whole Peninsular campaign. The author's extensive topographical research, supported by many maps and photographs, gives an admirable clarity to descriptions of complex operations, and contributes to making this an indispensable study of the vital twin sieges.

'a model of scholarly research and effective presentation ... without doubt the definitive modern study of [this] particular aspect of the Peninsular War'

Donald D. Horward is professor of history and Director of the institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution at Florida State University. He is the author of many books and articles on the subject of the French Revolution and Napoleon, and has lectured at universities in the USA and Europe. In recognition of his work he has been decorated by the French, American, Portuguese, Czech and Spanish governments. In 1991 he was made an Officer, Ordre des Palmes Académiques, an order established by Napoleon for contributions to historical studies and the sciences.

Greenhill Books  ISBN 1-85367-183-5

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