Fire and Sword

Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, 1804–1809. Napoleon’s empire expands through victories over Austria and Prussia while British sea power is confirmed at Trafalgar. Wellesley returns to European command and enters the Peninsular War, where French occupation meets Portuguese and Spanish resistance. The novel follows the widening scale of the conflict and the different systems through which Napoleon and Wellesley command armies, manage allies and build public reputations.