Wellington's voice

John Fremantle was on Wellington's personal staff through the later years of the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaigns.He had a uniquely privileged view of the general and tells of his exploits - good and bad.

The letters were written to his uncle, who was effectively his guardian, an army man and no shrinking violet.Fremantle deals with military matters in detail and gives a great insight into Wellington's honest views of matters - not the sanitised diplomatic versions Wellington allowed to be published in later life.

He also talks a great deal about the personalities in 'Wellington's family' and the 'Great Man', giving very honest, forthright views of their strengths and failings and brings many little-known incidents to light.An expose of what life was like working with Wellington and an honest portrait of the man warts and all - this is a truly remarkable find and will certainly cause debate in the Napoleonic community.