A capacious, illuminating and thickly populated portrait of Britain in a year of drama that marked the end of one era and the start of another

David Kynaston, author of Modernity Britain

Battles, balls, Byron, and the birth of modern history – Stephen Bates chronicles them all with insight, wit and grace

Robert Lacey, co-author of The Year 1000

1815 is both panoramic in scope and wonderfully readable. It brings an entire age triumphantly to life

Lucy Lethbridge, author of Servants

The story, powerfully told, of a year that left behind it a sense that the world had changed, and changed irrevocably

David McKie, author of Bright Particular Stars

An illuminating portrayal of a pivotal year for the nation

The Daily Telegraph

Bates offers a portrait of the country in a pivotal year: that of Waterloo. The result is refreshingly kaleidoscopic. His climactic summary of the battle is the best thing about it

The Sunday Telegraph