THE SPANISH BRIDE

The Infamous Army (1938) told of the 100 days before Waterloo and Wellington's troubles. This precedes that in time, for the background here is the last years of the Peninsular War, when Wellington, winning his military acclaim, was chasing the French, with the help of Spanish and Portuguese allies. Based on the actual story of Sir Harry Smith's stormy romance with the highborn Spanish Juana. There is ample detail -- some of it grisly -- of bloody battles, fighting men, grim marches. Harry was sent to America twice, during the War of 1812, while Juana pined away in England. Napoleon's return sent them both hot-footing it to Waterloo. Two extraordinary figures shared the limelight with a hero-sized Wellington. Technically interesting account of the success and failure of the Spanish-Portuguese-French terrain. Well-told tale -- dependable Heyer market.