The Longest Afternoon

In "The Longest Afternoon," Brendan Simms explores the pivotal moments of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon's forces clashed with the Duke of Wellington's army. Focusing on the Second Light Battalion of the King's German Legion, Simms details how this small group of riflemen, tasked with defending the Haye Sainte farmhouse, managed to withstand relentless assaults from the French infantry. Their remarkable stand not only delayed Napoleon’s advance but ultimately influenced the outcome of one of the most significant battles in European history.