Napoleonic Newsdesk

Britain as a Military Power

by Paul Chamberlain

November 1998 sees the publication of Britain as a Military Power, 1688-1815 by Jeremy Black of the University of Exeter. This work will be of interest to those who study the general history of the period, and what made Britain the power she was.

In 1688, Britain was successfully invaded, its army and navy unable to prevent the overthrow of the government. By 1815, Britain was the strongest power in the world, with the most successful navy and the largest empire. Britain had not only played a prominent role in the defeat of Napoleonic France, but had also established itself as a significant power in South Asia and was unsurpassed in her global reach. Her military strength was related to and based on the best system of public finance in the world and the strongest trade position.

This fascinating study assesses the military aspects of this shift, concentrating on the multi-faceted nature of the British military effort. Topics covered include; the rise of Britain; an analysis of military infrastructure; warfare in the British Isles; conventional warfare in Europe; trans-oceanic warfare with European powers; the challenge of America; and the challenge of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. This fully illustrated and accessible work traces the transition of Britain to great power status. It will be published by UCL Press price £ 25.00.

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