Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2) Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. Moodie, H. P. 21st Fusileers

A vivid, first‑hand portrait of the Peninsular War emerges through Captain Cooke’s concluding journal. He sketches the homes and habits of Navarre’s farming families, then takes the listener into the thunderous assault on Saint‑Sebastian, describing the frantic rush of the forlorn hope and the explosive power of British artillery. Between battle reports, his observations of camp life, fleeting moments of camaraderie and the occasional uneasy truce with French sentries lend a human edge to the larger conflict.

The volume widens its scope with two complementary histories. The Earl of Munster offers a concise yet lively account of Sir Arthur Wellesley’s 1809 campaign through Portugal and Spain, highlighting key crossings, daring skirmishes and the strategic push toward France. Lieutenant Moodie rounds out the collection with his spirited narrative of the 1814 Dutch campaign, including the intense fighting at Bergen‑op‑Zoom. Together, these threads weave a richly detailed tapestry of early‑19th‑century warfare, ideal for listeners who relish authentic military memoirs and the everyday reality of soldiers on the march.