Wellington: A Personal History - Christopher Hibbert - Hardcover Book

This biography of the Duke of Wellington is very readable. As its title suggests, it does concentrate on describing the Duke's personality. So, if you are looking for detailed descriptions of battles (which I was NOT), then this book might disappoint. Hibbert's book gives a brilliant overview of the life of a man, who was both Britain's hero, and, occasionally, anti-hero. He was regarded as being the saviour of Europe having helped to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo, along with his allies the Prussians. Although a highly significant victory, it was a nail-bitingly close thing. What Wellington achieved at Waterloo was to make him a national hero - a man whose opinions in many aspects of British political life were both sought and often followed.

With conservative (small 'C') political views, Wellington played a major part in British politics (under several monarchs) until his death.

Like Napoleon, he was popular with women (but maybe in a less physical way), many of whom became his close confidantes. The one woman, whom he did not usually consider a great blessing in his life, was his adoring, faithful wife.

Much of this well-documented biography of Wellington is based on what his contemporaries wrote about him. Their views were often very perceptive. Hibbert makes excellent use of these sources and many others to paint a very colourful portrait of a man, who often posed for portrait artists and was at least as much a hero as Winston Churchill was to become. The resulting biography is both a good intoduction to the life of Wellington and a joy to read.