Publisher's Synopsis
Historian and expert witness to the great battle
The author of this concise book was well qualified to undertake the task of documenting the events he witnessed. During the Peninsular War he served with the famous Light Division as an officer of the 43rd-the same regiment as William Napier. Kennedy saw much action and his description of the storming of Badajoz is the principal inspiration for that section in Napier's history. Despite his varied and interesting Peninsula War experiences Kennedy appears to have been a reluctant autobiographer and his brief account of his military services offers but a tantalising glimpse of what he might have left for posterity. Kennedy was present at Waterloo responsible-after the wounding of Alten-for much of the centre of the British line, the Third Division. In the original edition Kennedy's memoir appears at the start of his book, the Leonaur Editors have however elected to move it to the end of their edition together with a small 'stand alone' essay on proposals for the defence of Canada. His memoir-written in one long section-has also been separated into chapters about different periods of his career to make it more relevant for modern readers. The principal object of Kennedy's book is an analysis of the Battle of Waterloo. This is an excellent work, if idiosyncratically presented in numbered points and with little regard for literary nicety. Kennedy intends to convey the most information in the least possible words and his grasp of his subject is ultimately impressive. The Leonaur Editors have also re-presented this work unabridged in the interests of clarity. Available in softcover and hardcover with dust jacket.
