New purchase from Pen and Sword

Currently reading

I've seen the quote "This is a man with whom I shall have to deal", attributed to Napoleon about Wellesley after the news of Assaye. I haven't seen it in the correspondence of that time that ive looked into, anyone know where it may be found, if there is concrete evidence?

Purchased today

Best book I've read this year so far

A recent Australian book on Confederate Albert Sidney Johnston. Either very underrated, or overrated, depending who you ask. Could be an interesting read emergingcivilwar.com/2025/09/18/b...

'The Godfather,' 'M*A*S*H,' and 'Tender Mercies' star Robert Duvall passed away at home at age 95, "surrounded by love and comfort"

Enjoying this book

Appears my book is online. I've not yet been sent any marketing information/material, so I don't plan to advertise it yet - I'd tell everyone to wait until Pen and Sword announce it. But, if anyone wants to read the synopsis, it is here. www.waterstones.com/book/welling...

More in my attempt to build up collection of memoirs. The Napoleon and Joseph correspondence is great, and I'm hoping will help in a project I'm planning

Four years ago today, we lost the supremely talented Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday). He was 74 years old. I saw him three times in concert in Birmingham - more than I've seen any other artist. He was unbelievable live. Especially when performing 'Paradise By the dashboard Light". #MeatLoaf

Some more memoirs

Trying to get some Napoleonic memoirs. 4,5,7 and the atlas for Massena are on order, so just need 6. Can't find the other 7 of Marmont I need in this set though

Paul Scofield. A great actor www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tZH...

An interesting piece I was re-reading last night. Debate on slavery. Wellington, despite the pressure he applied on France to abolish the trade, is reluctant to do so in British colonies. api.parliament.uk/historic-han...

Originally posted this on my Twitter account, but deserves posting here too. I don't think there will ever be a book released on Wellington that could top these. Absolutely indispensable

Time to read about Soult

Rather pricey to learn about Suvorov it seems

Spotted Wellington in a bookstore. Glad to see he's getting about

Picked up some records and books from a shop I found in Bath

A note written by the Marquess of Anglesey, more commonly known as Uxbridge, lost his leg at Waterloo. A small snippet of history to own

Have been reading into Lord Mountbatten lately. Certainly think the Lownie book is the best, if also the most damning at times with it's evidence

Commemorative medallions. The death of Wellington, 1852, and the statue of him at the Royal Exchange 1844

My personal favourite Wellington portrait. Took the photo yesterday at Apsley House, after listening to a very good talk on Waterloo and black soldiers there

Picked up two books from Apsley House, Wellington's London Home

Wellington's Victory on vinyl. Time to please the neighbours 🎶

By God it was a dire film www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdw...

A new arrival to add to my Wellington souvenirs. The Wellington banknote, in gold

Sadly #OnThisDay 14 September 1852, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington passed away at Walmer Castle, he was 83 years old. He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated. He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.

Talk worth listening to www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2SU...

Two biographies I read lately, and enjoyed.

"Of his own antagonists, the Duke invariably spoke of Massena as the most dangerous and difficult to deal with; of Soult as the best strategist, but as very defective and irresolute in actual collision". Wellington on his French opponents

So the actor Edward Woodward was also a great singer it seems youtu.be/TJYsiBRbztY?...

@johnaharrison.bsky.social As I know you like your crooners, wonder if you like/are familiar with David Alexander? Great Welsh Singer, sadly long gone, had good local success, great voice www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEhS...

@johnaharrison.bsky.social As you like Val, clip of him with Harry Secombe, even sings his famous "Walk Tall" www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaRD...

Sometimes I read that Waterloo is "overrated", and Napoleon would have been beaten anyway. For a while I agreed, but my current research, which has included reading many letters detailing the plans of the Russians and Austrians, make it clear that Waterloo rendered these rather irrelevant (1/2)

Some envelopes addressed to the Duke of Wellington which I bought

Before he went solo, Don Williams as part of the Pozo Seco Singers. Very underrated "folk" music www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdVE...

Thought this was a meme until I checked his real account, I was wrong

Hastings battlefield. Rather overpriced, and not well kept, is my unfortunate verdict. The history of the nation changed here, though you wouldn't know it from a visit.

A very underrated, but brilliant, Welsh singer. Was a hit for him in the early 70s, lots of radio play especially in the Liverpool area youtu.be/MfsVBhshJR0?...

Two easy listening stars, Val Doonican and Howard Keel www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKQ5...

In a sort of "limbo" right now, researching to try and write a book, but as it is being considered (and could always be turned down!) I wonder if it is worth waiting until I knwo for certain before committing? That said, I enjoy research anyway so even if just for myself it is worthwhile

Ordered this, Wellington's older brother. Taking a bit of time off attempting to write my own book to have a read

Yes, we should all hate it www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYru...

Once upon a time he was all over the tv on commercials, this one from Australia. Anyone remember Slim Whitman? youtu.be/i-ffoBuN63w?...

Wonder if this will annoy any readers?

This response to Sir Walter Scott's poem about Waterloo is one of the best things I have read 'On Waterloo's ensanguined plain, Lie tens of thousands of the slain; But none, by sabre or by shot, Fell half so flat as Walter Scott"

The great David Niven