Francis Duncan's second volume picks up the story of the 'Gunners' as they enter their most famous period: the wars against Napoleon. We follow them from the sun-baked battlefields of Spain and Portugal in the Peninsular War right through to the final, earth-shaking climax at Waterloo. The book tracks the regiment's movements, its key battles, and the evolution of its tactics and equipment. But Duncan, writing as a fellow artilleryman, always brings it back to the people—the officers who made tough calls and the soldiers who manned the guns under fire.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its perspective. This isn't a view from a general's tent; it's from the gun line. You get a real sense of the artillery's unique challenges. They had to be part mathematician, part mechanic, and part warrior. Duncan shows how they fought two battles: one against the enemy, and another to convince their own army of their worth. You see the frustration when a brilliant artillery maneuver is ignored by cavalry or infantry commanders, and the triumph when their precise fire turns the tide. The characters, from well-known figures like Wellington to lesser-known battery commanders, feel real because Duncan often uses their own letters and reports. He makes the technology—the different types of guns, howitzers, and ammunition—understandable and exciting, because he explains why it mattered in the heat of battle.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone with a deep interest in the Napoleonic era who wants to move beyond the infantry squares and cavalry charges. It's perfect for military history fans who enjoy stories about institutional change and technological growing pains. While it's detailed, Duncan's clear, narrative style keeps it from feeling like a textbook. A word of caution: it's a direct continuation of Volume 1, so starting from the beginning helps. If you've ever wondered about the sheer force and strategy behind the cannons that defined an age, Duncan's passionate, insider account is the best guide you could ask for.