Gibraltar

Reviews

“A page-turning tale of one of the era’s longest and most significant sieges . . . this well organized, fast-paced book is a worthwhile addition to the literature on a still-neglected subject.”
—Publishers Weekly

“The husband-and-wife historian team once again exhibit their talent for enlivening British history. . . . Many readers will wonder why this episode hasn't been made into a movie, with all the heroics of soldiers, civilians, and, especially, families. Thankfully, the authors had a vast trove of letters and diaries of those who lived through the siege, and they use them to great effect. . . . The story is as compelling as it is fantastic—page-turning history of one of the most important eras of Western civilization.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A lively and compelling narrative, laying bare the grim realities of the siege, from the grinding everyday hardships of hunger and cold to the numbing terror of incessant bombardment . . .  in their fine book, such indelible episodes go far to explain why Gibraltar’s long ordeal captured the imagination of contemporaries—and why the Rock’s future continues to matter to Britons and Spaniards today.”
—Stephen Brumwell, The Wall Street Journal

“One of those finely researched, richly detailed, seemingly narrow histories that opens surprising vistas in our understanding of great events . . .  a true epic, and one that would make a terrific miniseriest.”
—David Walton, Dallas Morning News

“This intense account portrays the heroism and sufferings of the defenders while offering interesting vignettes that cover intriguing personalities on both sides. The Adkinses have created an absorbing examination of an important episode in British and European history.”
—Jay Freeman, Booklist

“Well-researched and briskly written . . . the Adkinses point out, some [British] politicians believed that ‘the possession of America has been sacrificed to the retention of Gibraltar.’ . . . Worthy of the most melodramatic Hollywood blockbuster.”
—Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times (UK)

“Fascinating . . . timely.”
—Tony Rennell, Daily Mail (UK)

“This book is a fascinating, well-crafted account of a siege that defined Britishness, and shaped the strategy of the next four major wars.”
—Andrew Lambert, BBC History Magazine

"Gibraltar is one of the few works of popular history that can truly claim to bring an untold story to the attention of modern audiences. For fans of eighteenth century warfare or the American Revolution, I cannot recommend it highly enough. For others, Gibraltar provides a fascinating introduction to the diplomacy, warfare, and world that existed at the time of America’s war for independence, and may even have led directly to its success."
—Concerning History

“Daring sea battles, flaming shipwrecks and an attempted invasion of England: all feature in this spirited retelling of the late-18th century Siege of Gibraltar. . . . Roy and Lesley Adkins’ account never loses sight of the human story at the heart of an extraordinary international incident.”
—History Revealed

“An enthralling and colorful history told with human stories at its heart, providing insight into a little-discussed period of Britain’s past. The repercussions of which we are still experiencing today.”
—Family Tree

“Another epic and illuminating look at Britain’s past from Roy and Lesley Adkins, masters of the historical narrative. Ordinary mortals in extraordinary circumstances leap off the pages.”
—Quarterdeck

“With plenty of drama to draw upon and an impressive commitment to research, this is a book to delight the military history enthusiast.”
—History of War Expand reviews