All the King's Men

The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo

By: Saul David

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Saul David's comprehensive history, All The King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo, read by the actor Sean Barrett.

"The British soldier," wrote a Prussian officer who served with Wellington, "is vigorous, well fed, by nature highly brave and intrepid, trained to the most vigorous discipline, and admirably well armed... These circumstances explain how this army ... has never yet been defeated in the field."

From the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the Downfall of Napoleon in 1815, Britain won a series of major wars against France that enabled her to lay the foundations of a global empire. By Waterloo, she was the paramount maritime and industrial power in the world, and would remain so for much of the nineteenth century.

This is the story of that extraordinary century and a half of martial success and the people who made it possible: the soldier-kings William III and the first two Georges; the generals Marlborough, Wolfe, Moore and Wellington; and the ordinary British redcoats who - despite harsh service conditions that included low pay, poor housing, inadequate food and brutal discipline - rarely let their commanders down in battles as far afield as Blenheim, Plassey, Quebec and Waterloo.

©2012 Saul David (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Filled with swashbuckling derring-do, the reek of blood and gunpowder, combined with shrewd analysis of power, war and psychology." (Simon Sebag Montefiore)

"Those wishing to immerse themselves in this golden age of British military success will relish David's fine piece of history." (Sunday Times)

"At a time when the Army is facing cutbacks while being expected to fight distant, unpopular wars on a shoestring, David's book could not be more topical." (Nigel Jones, Sunday Telegraph)

Interesting book

Story is a bit disjointed but generally flows quite well chronologically. It is more of an overview than an in-depth look at any particular general or period.

Very Dense

Saul David is an exceptional author. This book is set up in an interesting way, in that it more less follows the British soldier from the Restoration, the American Revolution, and on to Waterloo. However, that seems like it's not complicated, but it's hard to follow because all of the mundane details of soldiering are covered, and then it goes into well known personalities. But then there's a gap in regards to the American Revolution. So basically this is the ups and downs of the soldier. Unfortunately it is about battles, but not enough about them. And the issues of soldiers, like dress and food shortages, etc when combined with the most fascinating aspects of famous battles don't always gel. I'm wondering if the book might be easier to follow actually reading. Sean Barrett's narration is so good as to bump this up to a higher rating.

A grand epic

What did you love best about All the King's Men?

This highly detailed and super interesting book exceeded my expectations on every single level.The narrator was excellant,the facts well researched ,and the story told in a very accessable way.It is quite simply one of the best military/social histories I have listened too-Ive listened to alot as well-BUY THIS BOOK NOW

Good Overview of the British Army

A higher level picture of the British Army and key Generals. that led it

Excellent book

Well studied and covers much detail. Does focus on the leaders such as Marlborough and Wellington and ends at Waterloo which is where is said it would but would of been nice to go through the 19th Century. Perhaps SAul David could write
part-two'. Never the less you can read Richard Holmes 'Redcoat' to cover most of that - another excellent book.
What I really liked about this book was the British side of the 'War of Independence'. Most books seem to cover the US side of things but it is nice to see another perspective. I now plan to listen to Bernard Cornwalls 'The Fort' which will cover John Burgoyne's 'Saratoga campaign', actually I guessing on that one, but it sounds close. It is fictional, but I think it will give a rather accurate idea of the campaign. I think 'Jack Absolute' novel covers this campaign as well.
Anyway, a good study, well put together and nicely finished. If you are into studying military history, soldiers, 18th & 19th century especially British, then this is a must. I am so happy I listen to this book as Sean Barett has done an excellent job presenting it and Saul David in writing it.

Interesting Book but Worried about Inaccuracies

I enjoyed this book but I noticed a few inaccuracies with respect to the section covering the American Revolution - as an example, stating Washington chose to defend New York when even a history novice would know that Washington did not believe New York could be defended but was ordered by Congress to do so. It makes me wonder what inaccuracies there may be with respect to those campaigns/battles I'm less familiar with.

That said, the book was extremely interesting and the narrator does a nice job keeping the listener engaged. Definitely worth the listen.

Not quite what it's billing suggests

What did you like best about All the King's Men? What did you like least?

This book purports to be a study of the British Army from the Restoration to Waterloo. In fact, its much more the summary of the British Army's major wars, campaigns and actions as told through 4 of its leading commanders than about the army itself. Certainly there are sections which cover the common soldier's life and lot, and the system for the purchase of commissions, but I expected and would have preferred a more thorough analysis of the army itself - how it was formed, led, fed, moved, and drilled.

The book does provide a great overview from the point of view of wars and campaigns, but overall it felt like it tried to cover too much ground in too little time.

Have you listened to any of Sean Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Like most audio books, I think that this should be listened to at double speed, otherwise the narration is simply too slow.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, absolutely not.

Couldn't get into it

Found it very dry and uninteresting. I gave up half way through. Which was too bad because I was very interested in the topic.