The official website of Ian Fletcher, author of books on the Peninsular War, the Waterloo Campaign and the Crimean War
Official Website of Ian Fletcher, author of books on the Peninsular War, the Waterloo Campaign and the Crimean War
IAN'S BOOKS
In Hell Before Daylight
The Siege and Storming of the Castle of Badajoz 1812. An account of the siege and storming of the fortress of Badajoz, from March to April 1812, which involved Wellington's infantry in some of the bloodiest fighting of the Peninsular War. 135pp. Published by Spellmount in 1984.
Gentlemen's Sons
The Foot Guards in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, 1808-1815 The Gentlemen's Sons was the nickname given to the 1st Division of Wellington's army, on account of the presence of the regiments of Foot Guards. This is an account of these aristocratic soldiers from 1808 to 1815. Illustrated by Ron Poulter. 251pp. Published by Spellmount.
Fields of Fire
Battlefields of the Peninsular War Photographed by the late Andy Cook, with accompanying text by Ian Fletcher, focusing on the Peninsular War and, in particular, the battlefields. 176pp. Published by Spellmount.
Guards Officer in the Peninsula
The Peninsular War letters of John Edward Cornwallis Rous, Coldstream Guards, 1812-1814. Rous served in the Peninsula with the Coldstream Guards from Salamanca onwards. These are his letters, written on campaign. 144pp. Published by Spellmount.
A Desperate Business
Wellington, the British Army, and the Waterloo Campaign An account of the Waterloo campaign, focussing on the British army only, from the reaction to Napoleon's escape from Elba, right through to the occupation of Paris. 192pp. Published by Spellmount.
The Waters of Oblivion
Letters From The Front
Vittoria 1813
The British Invasion of the Rio de la Plata, 1806-07. An account of the ill-fated attack on the Spanish colonies of the Rio de la Plata, involving officer who would become household names under Wellington. 172pp. Published by Spellmount.
The Great War Correspondence of Brian Lawrence 1916-17 Letters written from the Somme and the Ypres Salient by an officer in the Grenadier Guards. Described in a review by Military Illustrated Magazine as, 'a very disturbing read.' 128pp. Published by the Parapress.
Wellington drives the French From Spain. A title in the Osprey Campaign series, chronicling Wellington's 1813 campaign, culminating in the Battle of Vittoria on 21st June 1813. 96pp. Published by Osprey Military.
Craufurd's Light Division
The Life of Robert Craufurd and his Command of the Light Division 'The Division,' was how the Light Division liked to be known, and it was certainly an elite division, containing some of the finest light infantry regiments in the world. This is an account of their service under Robert Craufurd in the Peninsula. 240pp. Published by Spellmount.
Wellington's Foot Guards
Wellington's Foot Guards, 1808-1815. A title in the Osprey Elite Series. Illustrated by Bill Younghusband. 96pp. Published by Osprey Military.
For King and Country
The Letters and Diary of John Mills, Coldstream Guards, 1811-1814. Mills served with distinction in the Peninsula, leaving numerous letters as well as a lengthy diary. An important account of the Peninsular War. 297pp. Published by Spellmount.
Wellington's Regiments
The Men and their Battles, 1808-1815 A record of every single infantry and cavalry regiment which fought in the Peninsula and at Waterloo. 190pp. Published by Spellmount.
Wellington's Army
Brassey's History of Uniforms An illustrated record of the uniforms and weapons used by Wellington's army. Profusely illustrated, with colour illustrations by Richard Hook. A title in the Brassey's Napoleonic Wars series. 143pp. Published by Brassey's.
Salamanca 1812
Wellington Crushes Marmont An account of Wellington's successful Salamanca campaign in the summer of 1812. Illustrated by Bill Younghusband. A title in the Osprey Campaign Series. 96pp. Published by Osprey MIlitary.
The Peninsular War
Aspects of the Struggle in the Iberian Peninsula. A collection of essays on various aspects of the Peninsular War, written by various authors and edited by Ian Fletcher. 205pp. Published by Spellmount.
In the Service of the King
The Letters of William Thornton Keep, at Home, Walcheren and in the Peninsula, 1808-1814. A vivid account of the period through the letters of William Thornton Keep. Particularly good account of the battles of Vitoria, the Pyrenees and St Pierre, where he was seriously wounded. 214pp. Published by Spellmount.
Voices from the Peninsula
Bloody Albuera
Eye-witness accounts by the soldiers of Wellington's army, 1808-1814 Various eye-witness accounts of the Peninsular War by Wellington's men, 303pp. Published by Greenhill.
The 1811 Campaign in the Peninsula An account of the Battle of Albuera, one of the bloodiest battles of the British campaign in the Peninsula. Illustrated by Gerry Embleton. 132pp. Published by Crowood.
Badajoz 1812
Wellington's Bloody Siege in the Peninsula, March-April 1812. The siege and storming of Badajoz. A title in the Osprey Campaign series. Illustrated by Bill Younghusband. 96pp. Published by Osprey MIlitary
Galloping at Everything
The British Cavalry in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, 1808-1815 An reappraisal of the British cavalry between 1808 and 1815, revealing that they were far more efficient than history has given them credit for. 301pp. Published by Spellmount.
The Campaigns of Wellington
Fortresses of the Peninsular War
The Lines of Torres Vedras
A title in the Osprey Fortress series, looking at the great Spanish fortresses, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Burgos and San Sebastian. 64pp. Published by Osprey MIlitary.
A beautiful 3-volume set, commissioned by The Folio Society. Two volumes on the Peninsular War and one on the Waterloo Campaign. 3 Volumes. Published by The Folio Society.
A title in the Osprey Fortress series, this examines the planning, construction and use of the famous Lines of Torres Vedras, north of Lisbon. 64pp. Published by Osprey Military.
The Crimean War
A Clash of Empires The first Anglo-Russian account of the war, written with Natalia Ishchenko. 566pp. Published by Spellmount.
War in the Crimea
An Illustrated History Beautifully illustrated account of the Crimean War, with over forty pages of colour. Written with Natalia Ishchenko. 300pp. Published by The History Press.
The Battle of the Alma
First Blood to the Allies in the Crimea A full account of the Battle of the Alma, fought in the Crimea on 20th September 1854. Written with Natalia Ishchenko. 224pp. Published by Pen & Sword.
The Peninsular War
Wellington's Battlefields Revisited A photographic record of the battlefields of the Peninsular War. Profusely illustrated in colour throughout. 122pp. Published by Pen & Sword.
A Crimean Winter of Discontent
The Crimean War Letters of William John Rous. A lurid account of the winter of 1854-55 in the Crimea, through the letters of William John Rous. Graphic stuff indeed. 133pp. Published by Pen & Sword
and last but not least: Ian's best book to date...
Robert Craufurd
The Man and the Myth: The Life and Times of Robert Craufurd, Wellington's Wayward Martinet. The most detailed and accurate biography of Robert Craufurd to date. 590pp. Published by Pen & Sword
IN THE PRESS
‘This book should be read by all cavalrymen, but more especially by those others who, up to now, have accepted the inadequately researched judgments of the past.’
Guards Magazine
‘On the details of engagements Fletcher is especially good, being helped by his numerous site visits…an important addition to the history of the cavalry between 1808 and 1815.’
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The Marquess of Anglesey, Royal United Services Institute Journal
Any student of the Peninsular War and the wider era should read this book – it brings to life one of the more complex characters in Wellington's Army and removes the myths and stereotypes that have built up around him. Unless someone discovers a treasure trove of information about Craufurd that Ian Fletcher has missed, I would argue that this is the definitive work. If you're a young officer in The Rifles, I'd pick up a copy as I sense that this will provide a useful reference for future education (as awarded by the Adjutant).
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ARRSE (Army Rumour Service)
In writing this book, the author has done exactly what a good biographer should - provided a deeper understanding of his subject's personality and experience, as well as his state of mind when called upon to make certain important decisions, In doing so, the author contradicts in some cases the myths, while in other cases he confirms them. More impressive than this, though, is that Fletcher brings the reader as close as surely must be possible to knowing Robert Craufurd, the man behind the myth.
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1/72 Scale Plastic Napoleonic Figures
‘a valuable addition to the study of Wellington’s forces in his two major campaigns in Europe…highly recommended.’
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First Empire
I had been waiting for this to be published and I was not disappointed. A Tour de force from Ian Fletcher, this has obviously been a long time in the making. This book charts Craufurd's eventful military life and his seldom seen home life. Some great illustrations from Christa Hook help illuminate the story. This is a large tome and well worth reading the 616 pages. This has to be essential reading for all students of the Peninsular War and one of it's most charismatic characters.
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Vic Powell Portsmouth Napoleonic Society
‘A thorough addition to the survey of the Peninsular War.’
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Spectator
‘a remarkably comprehensive and balanced account of the emotive Waterloo campaign…an invaluable reassessment.’
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British Army Review
BIO
Ian Fletcher is one of the leading authorities on the Peninsular War and Wellington’s army. Born in London, his first book, In Hell Before Daylight, was published in 1984, since when he has written or edited almost thirty others. A Fellow of the International Napoleonic Society he ran a battlefield tour company for twenty years before calling it a day in 2018, although he continues to organise tours for friends. His guests included the present Duke of Wellington as well as celebrities like Andrew Roberts, the actor Sir Donald Sinden and celebrity chef Michael Barry. Ian has appeared on The History Channel's 'Line of Fire' and 'Sharpe's War' series, Channel 4's 'Revolutionary Wars' series and also in an award-winning Russian documentary about the Crimean War. In 2000 he was awarded the prize for 'The Most Significant Individual Contribution to the Study of Napoleonic History' by the Napoleonic Association. In 2007, Ian was commissioned by The Folio Society to write a special three-volume set on the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns. In 2015 he was commissioned by the Royal Mail to write the text for the booklet which accompanied the special stamps which marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. He is currently working on a grand history of the British army in the Peninsula, focussing on the men themselves.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Return to the Peninsula
In June of this year, Ian returned to battlefield touring for the first time since 2018. The eight-day tour took him and his seventeen guests back to the battlefields and related sites of the Peninsular War, including Talavera, Almaraz, Albuera, Badajoz, Alcantara, El Bodon, Ciudad Rodrigo, Fuentes de Onoro, the Coa, Barba del Puerco, Salamanca and Garcia Hernandez. A hugely enjoyable trip, made all the better by fantastic weather and a very friendly group. Watch this space for news of another trip planned for 2026, which, by popular request, will feature the battlefields of the Basque Country and Southern France.
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll...
Some of you will know that Ian is not only an author of military history, but is a very accomplished guitarist, playing with Stoned, a Kent-based rock group formed by frontman Steven Wood back in 2012. The band is busy throughout the year, playing a festivals, pubs, clubs and theatres. If you want to see them live, check out the band's Wordpress site at: https://stonedtheband.wordpress.com
Back to Badajoz
Ian first visited Badajoz way back in 1983 to explore the city and take photos, etc., for his first book, 'In Hell Before Daylight.' Things have certainly changed for the better, with information boards, improved walkways and a general facelift to a city which once endured a somewhat depressing reputation, largely as a result of its experiences during the Peninsular War and the Spanish Civil War. It was good to be back once again in June 2025, forty-two years after his first visit.
Brush strokes
Many of you will be familiar with the work of Christa Hook, whose superb paintings adorn many a book and museum. It was great to have her as a guest on the tour to the Peninsula in June, where she was able to match up her own paintings with the actual locations, such as the bridge over the Coa River., one of many paintings featured in her book, 'Far In Advance.' Highly recommended!
