|
|
|
Fighting Napoleon: Guerrillas,
Bandits and Adventurers in Charles J. Esdaile
|
|
|
Alongside the Spanish army in the campaign against Napoleon
(1808-1814) was an assortment of freebooters, local peasants and bandits, who
were organized into ad hoc regional private armies. These 'guerrillas' - a
term introduced to the English language during the Peninsular War - ambushed
French convoys, attacked French encampments, and pounced upon, dodged and
fought French columns, often with extreme brutality. This book investigates
for the first time the irregular Spanish forces and their role in resisting
Napoleon. Delving deeply
into previously untapped archival resources, Charles Esdaile
arrives at an entirely new view of the Spanish guerrillas. He shows that the
Spanish war against Napoleon was something other than the great popular
crusade of legend, that many guerrillas were more often driven by personal
motives than high-minded ideology. Tracking down the bandit armies and
assessing their contribution, Esdaile offers
important insights into the famous 'little war' and the motives of those who
fought it. Charles J. Esdaile is reader in history, |
|
|
|
|
