A well-researched and readable look at someone I had never heard of. Those with a casual interest in the Napoleonic wars, like me, might think Wellington single-handed won the day, and this is an interesting look at one of the many other generals who fought and led with distinction.

Mr. Beresford reintroduces us to the Anglo-Irish Major General who helped fight Napolean and France in Spain as well as on the field at Waterloo in Belgium. Quite often the sole British General known is The Duke of Wellington. General Pack led just a colorful a life in the Peninsula Campaign, invasion of Argentina as well as the French Revolutionary Wars.

This is exactly the kind of military history that entices me to read military history. Beresford explores an interesting and relatively minor figure of the Napoleonic period, Major General Sir Denis Pack, using a lot of period primary and secondary sources, and gives insight into the broader military history of the era. This book is interesting because Pack fought everywhere - from Ireland to South America to The Peninsula to Waterloo - won decorations and acclaim, but was a junior general. So the reader gets to see the scope of war at a more tactical level. I thought Beresford has a clean and easily comprehensible style, writes frankly about gaps in the historical record, and grabs the reader and holds him-or-her throughout. Well done.