Recommend a book on Waterloo

[Nord]

Apologies if this has been asked before, the search term "waterloo book" gave me nothing but I can't believe I am the first to ask : can anyone recommend a book on Waterloo? I mean from a history/military history perspective, not a wargame rule book. I know very little about the period, treat me as a beginner. I guess I would like a decent primer, nothing too radical or argumentative. I noticed there's a non-fiction account by Bernard Cornwell, anybody read it? Open to any suggestions really, there are dozens around and no doubt more to come this year, wanted to steer clear of the duffers. So please, give me your recommendation(s). Thanks.

[Harry Faversham]

Steer clear of Cornwell's Waterloo book, it's crap. If you only ever buy one book about the Battle of Waterloo, you won't go far wrong with this one...

The Waterloo Companion: The Complete Guide to History's Most Famous Land Battle
by Mark Adkin

[Germy]

If you want to get a feel for the battle I would recommend David Howarth : Waterloo a near run thing. It has enough detail to make you want to go and discover more.

[PAULSPENCE]

Hi,

Agree that Bernard Cornwell's Waterloo book is sadly not terribly good with several glaring errors and actually not well written.

The other 2 suggestions are excellent, particularly the Waterloo Companion, which I'm going to have another look at now.

I'm just about to re-read some of the other Waterloo books I've got and will report on these as well when I unearth them.

Cheers,

Paul

[Juan]

"The Waterloo Companion".

[julesav]

Near Run Thing is my favourite - but possibly because I first read it when 1/72nd scale Airfix was the best available range! Lol! I understand that Waterloo the German Victory (or some such similar title) by Peter Hofschroer may be worth a look if you want to be less 'Anglo-centric'?

[Belisarius]

If you are limited to only one book then it has to be " the Waterloo Companion " . He has done the same for Gettysburg by the way.

[Tym]

The Waterloo companion and the memories of Captain Mercer.  RHA.  My favourites
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavali%C3%A9_Mercer

[sgallagher]

read a great book Waterloo the "French perspective "  Well written accurate and clears a great deal upon my view.

[Garder]

Waterloo companion by Mark Adkin

[Shipka]

It will be interesting to see if this year especially there are any new authorities come to the fore

[powerfrog99]

I second for the "French Perspective", I found it more balanced than many of the others I have read.

cheers Thomas