The Waterloo Archive. Volume 1: British Sources

Nearly 200 years on the Battle of Waterloo continues to fascinate readers. The accepted version of events was written more than a century ago and it has remained riddled with misinterpretations and inaccuracies. With the battle's bicentenary approaching, Gareth Glover has referred back to a treasure trove of primary sources: letters from officers and men of the lower ranks, journals of civilians caught up in the fighting, graphic reports from medical staff and army documents detailing court martial proceedings.

Rumours accepted at the time as fact by the correspondent can both fascinate and frustrate the enthusiast, but there is also a wealth of invaluable, accurate material with frank comment on cowardice, the 'accidental' death of hated officers and the behaviour of the noble British soldier.

This collection of candid letters and journals provides excellent source material for the Napoleonic scholar but they are also a compelling read for anyone with an interest in one of the most important events in European history.