by Mark Urban
First published 2003
Mark Urban chronicles the six-year campaign of Wellington's 95th Rifles, the elite sharpshooters who transformed British warfare. These soldiers formed part of the Light Division, serving as the advance guard in Wellington's army during the Napoleonic Wars. Urban draws from newly discovered sources to follow individual riflemen as they endure brutal conditions across European battlefields. The 95th pioneered revolutionary tactics that distinguished them from traditional troops. They aimed at specific targets rather than firing blind volleys. They sought cover under enemy fire instead of standing in rigid formations. They advanced using coordinated fire and movement. Between battles, they lived as rough soldiers, stealing and brawling their way through foreign territories. Urban reveals how these men paid a severe personal price while creating the foundation of modern infantry warfare. Their story captures the harsh realities of military life and the bonds forged between soldiers facing death together.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, military-fiction, adventure, action, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, gritty
Setting: Europe
Period: Napoleonic Era
352 pages · Hardcover · Faber & Faber
Content warnings: violence, war