Richard Hopton has uncovered the long overlooked defeat of Napoleon's forces by General Sir John Stuart at Maida, southern Italy in 1806. For many years the only hint that there had been a triumph there has been the residential area of North West London, that derives its name from the battle. The author brilliantly describes the cast of colourful yet highly improbably characters whose fate and circumstances brought them together. Arguably pride of place must go to Ferdinand II, Ruler of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, whose eccentricity was only exceeded by his abject incompetence.