History books report -- and rightly so -- that it was the strategic and intelligence-gathering brilliance of the Duke of Wellington (who began his military career as Arthur Wellesley) that culminated in Britain's defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815. Nearly two hundred years later; many of General Wellesley's subordinates are still remembered for their crucial roles in these historic campaigns. But Lt. Col. George Scovell is not among them.The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes is the story of a man of common birth -- bound; according to the severe social strictures of eighteenth-century England; for the life of a tradesman -- who would in time become his era's most brilliant code-breaker and an officer in Wellesley's army. In an age when officers were drawn almost exclusively from the ranks of the nobility; George Scovell -- an engraver's apprentice -- joined Wellesley in 1809. Scovell provides a fascinating lens through which to view a critical era in military history -- his treacherous rise through the ranks; despite the scorn of his social betters and his presence alongside Wellesley in each of the major European campaigns; from the Iberian Peninsula through Waterloo.But George Scovell was more than just a participant in those events. Already recognized as a gifted linguist; Scovell would prove a remarkably nimble cryptographer. Encoded military communiqués between Napoleon and his generals; intercepted by the British; were brought to Scovell for his skilled deciphering. As Napoleon's encryption techniques became more sophisticated; Wellesley came to rely ever more on Scovell's genius for this critical intelligence.In Scovell's lifetime; his role in Britain's greatest military victory was grudgingly acknowledged; but his accomplishments would eventually be credited to others -- including Wellington himself. Scovell's name -- and his contributions -- have been largely overlooked or ignored.The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes tells the fascinating story of the early days of cryptology; re-creates the high drama of some of Europe's most remarkable military campaigns; and restores the mantle of hero to a man heretofore forgotten by history.
#2232372 in Books 2002-03-01 2002-03-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.03 x 6.13l; #File Name: 006018891X368 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. One of the best books on the Napoleonic campaigns in SpainBy M. AlmWritten in a narrative style; this book chronicles the secret war behind the Napoleonic campaigns in Spain from the time of the evacuation from Corunna through the final victories which sent Wellington's armies over the Pyrenees; chasing Napoleon I's supposedly invincible forces home. That Wellington was a superior general there is no doubt; but he did have his flaws -- a disdain for the common man which cost him on more than one occasion. Scovell; the man of the title; is a commoner; but without his breaking first the simpler cyphers initially used; and finally; the extraordinarily complex cypher which handed the British orders and plans; disclosed the internecine arguments between Napoleon's generals; as well as the incompetence of Bonaparte's brother Joseph; nominally the King of Spain; Britain could not have succeeded. Reading this book explained why some of the sites of specific battles were as important as they were. This is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the Napoleonic campaigns; in espionage; or in cyphering. Just one note -- the maps are VERY hard to see on a Kindle! I had to pull them up on my computer to figure out what they said -- clearly; the graphics were not optimized for smaller screens!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding read!By JimSkinYou don't have to be a military person to understand the import of Scovall. This is a great read in that it gives the flavor of what it must have been like to campaign in the early 1800's. Rising through the ranks is never easy and Scovall certainly proved that! I was totally engaged by the book because of Scovall's efforts; the description of the battles and its brutality to the troops. That we never have to face this in our day would be a welcome blessing.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The book started with a horrible awful scene of killing horses during a retreat that ...By ARGNot near as much code breaking as I anticipated; in fact I would say none in first third of book. However; it does say it is about the man who did it and I suppose it was and needed to start as early as it did. The book started with a horrible awful scene of killing horses during a retreat that seemed a good way to get folk to stop reading; just brutal. The rest went on with a nice casual style that was very easy to read. Engaging; but not as code driven as I expected
