YEARS OF VICTORY: 1802-1812

This is imperative reading to anyone who discovered and was thrilled by Bryant's Years of Endurance -- and there is an especial timeliness in this volume, tracing as it does to every aware reader, the many parallels between the two wars -- against Napoleon and Hitler. Here is the story of the Napoleonic War from the time when England put disarmament, false peace behind her, and precipitated a new war-on to the opening of the gates to imprisoned Europe with the fall of Rodrigo. The achievement of the Navy, saving the island from invasion, strengthening Britain in the West Indies and India, sustaining a blockade -- this is the story of the first part; the second part is less familiar to American readers and the gallant Sir John Moors, who created the army Wellington employed, is its hero. Of history, Bryant is master -- though perhaps one is tempted to force modern parallels too aptly from his text; of the gift of narrative, swift pen portraiture, and quick highlighting of the changing scene, he makes history live and breathe. Grand reading, for serious moments.