March of Death

In the bitter winter of 1808, a small British force found itself outnumbered and out-manouevered by a French army led by Emperor Napoleon. Faced with a crushing defeat, the British, commanded by Sir John Moore, turned and marched through the mountains of northern Spain. Casting away baggage and supplies, the little army retreated through desolate mountain passes before reaching Corunna with the French at their heels. There they turned and fought, before embarking for Britain and safety. However, as in every epic, there was great loss. Sir John Moore, gallant, respected and honourable, fell at the moment of victory. 'March of Death' is the story of a terrible retreat through the eyes of those who were there and survived. Relating the horrific ordeal through excerpts from survivors' diaries, letters, memoirs and reports, this narrative brings to life the heroism and glory of a real fight for survival. Without doubt, few episodes of British military history have been as dramatic as Sir John Moore's retreat to Corunna. AUTHOR: Christopher Summerville is a leading authority on the Napoleonic Wars. His works include Napoleon's Polish Gamble: Eylau and Friedland 1807 and Who was Who at Waterloo a Biography of the Battle. He has also edited new editions of Baron de Marbot memoirs and of Segur's classic history of Napoleon's 1812 campaign. SELLING POINTS: . A glorious but tragic military adventure, of men who marched, fought and froze. . A thrilling narrative of a campaign in the Peninsular War. . Charts the destruction of a British army in the Spanish winter. REVIEWS: 'The author does a superb job describing the numerous skirmishes and combats between the British rear guard and the French advance guard ? The story rivals any medieval epic.' Robert Burnham, Napoleonic Series Illustrated