Overview

'What a charmingly idiosyncratic yet profoundly researched book Daniel Res' is.' Andrew Roberts The first volume of a thrilling, comprehensive biography on the Duke of Wellington, containing a wealth of new facts, insights, and theories. Forensically researched, eminently readable and lavishly illustrated. It provides a fascinating insight into Wellington, both as a man and commander. Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound is the story of the Duke of Wellington, the man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo and became a celebrated hero not only in Britain and Europe, but throughout the world. Daniel Res tells the gripping tale of Wellington's exploits, giving the book an almost novel-like readability. In it we discover the story of Wellington's youth in Ireland, his shaky beginnings in politics and the army, his first military success in India and his crucial engagements with Napoleonic France on the Iberian Peninsula as he fights his way from there to the south of France in 1814 - all events which culminate in the Battle of Waterloo the following year. Res presents Wellington not only as an ingenious commander, but also as a sensitive man, one often shaken by the realities and horrors of war. Wellington is revealed to be an excellent horseman, a passionate reader, a gentleman, an impeccable organizer, perfectionist and workaholic, as well as being a Conservative politician with a notably British sense of humour. The author also recounts something of Wellington's wooing of and marriage to Catherine 'Kitty' Pakenham, a story likened by contemporaries to Odysseus and Penelope. This provides the reader with insight into Wellington's development from a 'dreamy, idle and shy lad', an often lovelorn and unrestrained youth, to a man of principle with strong personal convictions and values. The book's title - Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound - has been inspired by the monument that today stands on the battlefield of Waterloo and symbolizes the Duke's personal journey. From a scholarly perspective, Wellington - The Road to the Lion's Mound offers up an interesting hypothesis concerning the creation of the Lines of Torres Vedras, and discusses in detail the connection between Wellington's campaigns and the activities of his Intelligence Service, casting fresh light on many of the Duke's crucial decisions. However, Res' primary contribution to the subject as an historian operating outside the Anglosphere is the addition of a richly detailed Central European context to the topic as well as new sources from the Czech and German languages.

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9788090731127

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Reviews

'The Duke of Wellington is not just a figure belonging to British history but also one belonging to that of the whole of Europe. In this imaginative work, Czech historian, Daniel Res, both reminds us of this fact and gives us a wealth of insight into the rich vein of material on the Napoleonic Wars to be found in the archives of mittel Europa'. CHARLES ESDAILE, author of Napoleon, France and Waterloo: The Eagle Rejected, and Napoleon's Wars: An International History, 1803-1815

Author Information

DANIEL RES is a graduate of history from the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague. He has studied modern European history from the 18th century to the present, whilst primarily focusing on British history and Anglo-Austrian relations during the Napoleonic Wars. Since childhood he has been fascinated by the life and exploits of the 1st Duke of Wellington. In addition to endeavouring to offer up new insights into this historical figure, Res has drawn upon five years of research to add some important Central European context to Wellington and his age. The author has also cooperated with organizations such as the Central European Napoleonic Society (CENS) and Project Austerlitz with a view to preparing an anthology for the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Znaim. Res has also been inspired by various non-fiction authors who link thorough historical analysis with fiction-style writing in their work, leading readers on a captivating journey through a given period or topic. In respect to the extensive range of biographies of Wellington, Res especially appreciates the work and legacy of Elizabeth Longford. At present, the author is working as an independent researcher and publisher. Like Wellington, he has a passion for horses and has trained in dressage at a professional level for almost a decade, making his extensive experience of horse riding evident in his historical texts. Daniel Res currently lives in Prague, Czech Repuplic and, in addition to the study of history, he loves animals, traveling and collecting antiques and objets d'art.

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