Napoleon's forces invaded Spain in 1808, but two years went by before they overran the southern region of Andalucía. Situated at the farthest frontier of Napoleon's "outer empire," Andalucía remained under French control only briefly-for two-and-a-half years-and never experienced the normal functions of French rule. In this groundbreaking examination of the Peninsular War, Charles J. Esdaile moves beyond traditional military history to examine the French occupation of Andalucía and the origins and results of the region's complex and chaotic response. Disillusioned by the Spanish provisional government and largely unprotected, Andalucía scarcely fired a shot in its defense when Joseph Bonaparte's army invaded the region in 1810. The subsequent French occupation, however, broke down in the face of multiple difficulties, the most important of which were geography and the continued presence in the region of substantial forces of regular troops.

Conquest -- The context of conquest -- The conquered land -- Selling Joseph Bonaparte -- Balls, banquets, and bayonets -- Collaboration and coexistence -- Resistance -- Fights and forced marches -- Conclusion.