Waterloo

 

Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles by Bernard Cornwell  

https://smile.amazon.com/Waterloo-History-Three-Armies-Battles/dp/0007539401/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I8J6J7WML597&keywords=waterloo+cornwell&qid=1636931915&qsid=147-1752272-6506641&s=books&sprefix=Waterloo%2Caps%2C205&sr=1-1&sres=0007539401%2CB000LMPO5S%2C8435027368%2CB071VJH67J%2CB092JLLKBD%2C0062563262%2C912367492X%2C0060179775%2C0062250892%2C0349123012%2C849129130X%2C0061098639%2C0062250809%2C0233005137%2C0062563181%2CB002WR4IL6

Cornwell is, in my opinion, the best historical fiction author writing today, and I have read about 20 of his novels, including The Last Kingdom series. So when I saw he had written a history of Waterloo, I was sure his excellent writing and research, attention to detail, and understanding of the psychology of men in battle, would make this book a winner. I was not disappointed. He lets the battle’s participant tell their story by quoting extensively from soldiers’ letters and diaries, from the enlisted ranks as well as officers. Waterloo was a battle of mistakes (I suppose most are) and the allies made the fewest. This is the best book I have read on the battle and I highly recommend it.