The Life and Opinions of Sir General Charles James Napier, G.c.b.

Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes, ranging from his childhood in Ireland through the Peninsular War to his controversial military and political roles in India in later life. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how his brother's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'.