19 DECEMBER 1925, Page 28

IN the absence of a " real military life of

Wellington " Major-

General Beatson has written this book, which is illustrated by a number of eicellent photographs, to " giVe an example of how that _General applied his strategical skill with' a highly perfected machine " in the opening phases of thc final cam- paign of Wellington's Peninsula Arniy. His general conclusion is that the allied successes were mainly due to Wellington's strategical and tactical skill, his insight into the military character of his opponent, and to his confidence in the Anglo- portuguese Army. He brings out well the hesitating character of Soult in the field, and Wellington's fertility in expedients.