Gibraltar
Hello, Had two long train journeys yesterday and read James Falkner’s ‘Fire Over The Rock - the great siege of Gibraltar 1779-1783’ cover-to-cover. Published by Pen and Sword in May; but I didn't see it until last week. Sets the scene with the 1704 taking of the rock and the 'negotiations' since then. Nicely covers the Franco-Spanish relationship – which only had a small element of overlap in mutual interest anyway, and Spain’s nervousness at supporting the rebellion in America – given her colonies on the same continent. Deals with the bigger context as well as the parallel Minorca siege, gets into the detail of the daily struggle and cites civilian as well as military memoirs without overdoing the inevitable repetitiveness of siege warfare, but this too is remarked on: as quoted “here is nothing to do nor any news, all things being dormant and in suspense with the harmless diversions of drinking, dancing, revelling, whoring, gambling and other innocent debaucheries to pass the time.” ( :twisted: that quite amused me! :shock: - what other 'innocent debaucheries' are there?!) Lots of incident and anecdote, plenty of maps and appendices listing the opposing forces OOB’s and a special note on the Gibraltar battle honours. There are only 30 words on the back cover: "Compelling account of the longest siege in British military history. The first full study of this epc siege for over 40 years. Graphic insight into the techniques of siege warefare." http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=1897 GJ

For anyone wanting a shorter "taster" the Osprey Campaign by Rene Chartrand is also very good - although given the small difference in price the Falkner book is possibly better value.

Yes, the Osprey on the siege is good... took that with me too and have read it before. (They were both L O N G long train journeys yesterday!) On a wider timescale there is also an Osprey on The Defences of Gibraltar 1060-1945 (currently 'out of stock' on the Osprey site) and there is an After The Battle (issue 21) although this relates specifically to WW2. http://www.afterthebattle.com/ab-con1.html GJ

Came across two other books on this subject at the weekend: T H McGuffie - The Siege of Gibraltar, 1779-1783 J (Jack) Russell - Gibraltar Besieged, 1779-1783

RtL; Thanks for pointing at these two, I've not come across them - but checked the bibilography(s) in Falkner and Chartrand; both are listed in each. Rene C recommends them in the 'suggested further reading bit'... 1964 + 1965, so presumably these are the books alluded to when Falkner is described as the "first full length study for 40 years" Will keep an eye out for them! GJ