Book Reviews:
D Crane,Spectator
31/03/2009
'We should...welcome a new biography of the man who was so admired by Napoleon and...Winston Churchill -- especially if the biographer is Richard Holmes, whose background is a happy blend of military academia and media friendliness. Professor Holmes tackles his subject at a Light Infantry pace, cracking through a wide-ranging biography with confidence and good humour.' Independent on Sunday 'The appeal of Holmes's books is not merely their authority but their style. His lightness of touch makes these 500 pages a joy to read as well as an education.' The Times 'Outstanding...Holmes has written what must be the!fairest biography of Marlborough.' Daily Telegraph 'When it comes to balancing tales of Marlborough's flaws with those of his genius for war, Holmes discharges his material relentlessly...His descriptions of the general's tactical system, the way he ran his armies...are all excellent.' Waterstones Books Quarterly 'Fascinating and revealing...Holmes has done his subject full justice by crafting a quite brilliant, judicious and fully-rounded portrait that should go some way to restoring Marlborough's reputation as a truly Great Briton.' Sunday Telegraph 'A very good read, about a very great man.' Independent on Sunday 'Richard Holmes goes far beyond the life of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, to depict the moral and political landscape of an entire age in this rewarding biography of the British general!Holmes is as thrilling on his subject's romantic devotion to his wife!as he is on the battles.' Sunday Times 'As comprehensive an account of Marlborough as a single volume can hope to be. Holmes is at his best!that eye for detail, grasp of subject, deployment of sources, combine to produce as lucid and vivid an account of warfare as one could ask for.' Spectator 'Richard Holmes...is a good storyteller...his chief interest remains those battles where maps and tactics are more important than charm, uncertainty and luck.' Economist 'A modern, up-to-date "life and times" written in a jaunty style...those who enjoyed Holmes's earlier works...will know what to expect.' TES 'Richard Holmes's new biography...is probably as comprehensive an account of Marlborough as any single volume can hope to be...there is nobody writing who can move from column into line quite as smoothly as [he] does.' David Crane, Spectator Praise for 'Redcoat': '"Redcoat" is not just a work of history but of enthusiasm and unparalleled knowledge. This is a wonderful book, doing justice to men who have long deserved a chronicler of Richard Holmes' skill.' Bernard Cornwell 'It would be hard to exaggerate the excellence of this book. Vivid, comprehensive, well-written, pacy, colourful.' Simon Heffer 'A wonderful book, full of anecdote and good sense. Anyone who has enjoyed a Sharpe story will love it.' Bernard Cornwell, Daily Mail 'Redcoat is the story of the British soldier from the Seven Year War through to the Mutiny and Crimea. It is consistently entertaining, full of brilliantly chosen anecdotes and rattles along at a good light infantry pace.'
