Wellington: A Personal History

I read Dr Hibbert's biography of Horatio Lord Nelson and was so impressed by it that I ordered two more of his books. I've just finished reading this one, and I must say that, although I'd never really liked Wellington's often-characterised stiff-upper-lip persona, I found Hibbert's depiction very appealing. It reveals that, even though the marshal created a mask of aloofness and control, behind it he was charming and engaging. Wellington may not have possessed Nelson's instinctive, natural flair but he was solid, reliable, courageous, determined and a good learner. He comes a close second to Nelson as our greatest military hero.

Author Christopher Hibbert concentrates on the personal aspects of Wellington's career, such as his relationships with family and close friends, and skirts over any lengthy analyses of the Duke's many campaigns. The Battle of Waterloo, for instance, is covered in only a few pages and the entire Peninsula War is given short shrift. Wellington's later years as a Tory politician, however, and his subsequent fall from grace with the populace is presented in detail and makes for quite an interesting read. Portraits of Wellington's brothers and other associates are also abundant in this volume and I was surprised as to how many I've never seen before. Hibbert himself is not totally enamored with his subject and portrays him as a very reticent and reserved aristocrat with little tolerance for fools and even less sympathy for the common folk. In this regard, I don't believe Hibbert has been able to lift the mask of command off Wellington and given us the definite look into his character. Wellington was certainly a man of many contradictions and Hibbert merely presents one side of him---the cold and aloof one. Still it's a worthy book with some scattered information not found in other sources. For the best read on this man, it's probably better for one to start with Elizabeth Longford's "Wellington: Years of the Sword". Hibbert's biography would certainly be a most interesting companion piece alongside it.

Wellington, I think, is not an easy man to pin down in a biography, and quite a few people have tried to do so in the past. I think Hibbert makes a pretty good stab at this very difficult subject and the worst that could be said about his book is that it is the most recent of the Wellington biographies.Why is Wellington such a difficult subject? Mostly because he had a long and very active career which spanned a broad range of activities. From rather dreamy and unfocused youth, to extremely focussed, and successful war hero, then finally as politician. Yet underlying this was a man of great contradiction. He had an innate sense of nobility and duty which led him to marry a woman he had not seen for nearly eleven years - yet he treated her appallingly during their marriage. His contradictory nature is also very evident in his career - he hated the very activity in which he made his name, war. I think Hibbert does a reasonable attempt at coming to grips with Wellington's nature and its contradictions - but I often think the personal side of Wellington - most especially his appalling treatment of his wife and family, are often left unsatisfactorily explained. Probably for three reasons in Hibbert's case - firstly -There is not enough room in 400 pages to fit in everything with sufficient explanation, secondly - there are easier, more public and interesting things to dwell on, and finally I suppose mostly because it would come into the realm of speculation too much. There is little documentary evidence apart from gossip, some letters between Wellington and her, and of course Wellington's infamously indiscreet confessions to Mrs Abuthnot which were later published in her diaries.I do feel that Hibbert catches much of the public side of Wellington, his love of women, his modesty and quietness and his kindness and loyalty to those loyal to him. Hibbert has set the book out chronologically and he always makes an easy read of his subjects. Hibbert does muddle up the first and second marchionesses of Salisbury though - he was friends with both - the first Marchioness (also known as Dow Sal) sent him the hunting uniform from her personal hunt. The Duke was good friends with the Second Marchioness, Frances who was also known as the Gascoigne heiress before her marriage.I do agree with one of the other reviewers on this page, Elizabeth Longford does do a better job of capturing the nature and contradictions of Wellington - but then she can claim some measure of relationship with him - the 1st Duke's wife, Kitty, was a Pakenham which is the Longford family name. Longford does manage to do her biography on the Duke in two substantial volumes. Phillip Guedella has also made a good biography about the man.

'Wellington: A Personal History,' is a wonderful look at the hero of Waterloo. While at times the narrative tends to quickly move over some points in the Duke's life that could do with a bit more analyzation, (the Duke's Indian and Spanish campaigns,) and perhaps relies a little too heavily on reporting court gossip of the time, 'Wellington' nevertheless is a wonderful introduction to the Duke's life written in an entertaining and easy to read style. Where Hibbert's work really succeeds is in it's portrait of the Duke in his years after Waterloo. The look into the Duke as Prime Minister and confedential advisor to George IV, William IV, and Queen Victoria never fail to hold interest and passages reguarding Wellington with his family and children in general are extremly illuminating. The Duke of Wellngton was indeed one of Britain's greatest figures and Hibbert's biography will testify with a great voice to the truth of that.

A complete history of the man, entertaining and readable. I could not put it down.