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Retreat from Kabul: The First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842 (Conflicts of Empire) Kindle Edition
Afghanistan, 1839.
The British East India Company dominated the Indian subcontinent, yet they were not secure in their position.
Holding unjustified fears that Russia threatened India’s north-western border, the Company decided to make a pre-emptive strike and ensure that this menace would be stopped by a strong pro-British Afghanistan.
Thousands of British and Indian troops invaded this mountainous land to intervene in a succession dispute between emir Dost Mahommed Khan and former emir Shah Shuja-ool-Mulk. After capturing Kabul they placed the cruel, but pro-British Shah Shuja upon the throne once again, and supported him with an overwhelming military presence.
However, the proud and ruthless warriors of Afghanistan were unwilling to submit themselves to British control and within three years they had risen up against their oppressors in one of the bloodiest revolts in history.
George Bruce delves into a vast array of published and unpublished nineteenth century sources to uncover this campaign in which very few British survivors made it back through the snow-laden passes to India.
“the worst British military disaster until the fall of Singapore exactly a century later.” The Economist
The Times described Bruce’s books as “well researched, with a keen eye for historical detail.”
Retreat from Kabul is a brilliant account of the First Anglo-Afghan War. It is part of the series Conflicts of Empire, which also includes Six Battles for India: The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845-6 and 1848-9 and The Burma Wars: 1824-1886.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 28, 2021
- File size1.7 MB
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About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B08RHK4ZMV
- Publisher : Sapere Books
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : March 28, 2021
- Language : English
- File size : 1.7 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 318 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1800550469
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Part of series : Conflicts of Empire
- Best Sellers Rank: #930,454 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #111 in Central Asia History
- #271 in History of India
- #517 in 19th Century World History
- Customer Reviews:
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI’d always heard about the British disaster in Afghanistan but this is the first time I’ve read about it. A theater of the absurd is the best way to describe the administration of the region. And the way General Elphinstone conducted military operations was so politically correct that it’s no wonder his army was obliterated.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA decent book on the topic, but keep in mind that it was originally written nearly 60 years ago and that is reflected in the style. A couple of historical errors bubble up, for example, when discussing one British general's military career the author places the Battle of New Orleans during the American War of Independence rather than in the War of 1812. However, unlike a lot of history, it is very readable and conveys the story well. I do wish the author had differentiated between European and Indian troops fighting for the British cause, lumping them all in, mostly, as British. On a few occasions he makes it clear when the soldiers in question were sepoys or sowars. All in all though, a good overview of a disaster that was a result of refusals to make a decision. Or worrying too much about the political ramifications of a decision. Which shows that history just repeats itself. You will leave disappointed in Elphinstone and Macnaghten, and rightfully so.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseFor me this was a compelling page-turner. I hated to put it down, and, looked forward to picking it up each day. This is a must read for anyone interested in military history. Everyone who invades Afghanistan ends up telling a sad story. Not a place to be taken lightly.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAn excellent account of the series of ill conceived military and political decisions which led to what was possibly the greatest disaster in the annals of British colonial history. I found the narrative very readable, not dry and weighed down with excess logistical data, but not bereft of necessary logical information. It is certainly a tragic tale in more ways than the obvious horrific loss of life . The lives of soldiers and non combatants alike were sacrificed to the ambitions of unworthy men, to the incompetence of the British colonial governor in India, and the favoritism he showed for incompetent officers placed in authority. It being an older book, the author's pro imperialist point of view, his disdain for the enemies of the British Empire comes through at times, but not enough to make more than few dubious claims completely cringe worthy.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseRetreat from Kabul is so well organized and presented , I had no trouble following the complex political elements of this superior history. Every officer and small unit leader should read .
- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseNeeds some editing but was worth it. Understanding the history of Afghanistan seems timely and important. I look forward to the other volumes
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseExcellent detailed account of this tragi-comic war, from start to finish. The final farce of the retreat is graphically written in all its horror and stupidity.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis is the 19th century chapter of Afghanistan as the graveyard of empires. It is the earlier chapter of the current tragedy of ongoing fatal overconfidence.
Top reviews from other countries
- Richard WReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Retreat from Kabul
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseAn interesting read but how unimaginative with ‘unnamed’ chapters - 1 to 28. I’m guessing this is a reprint which has been slapped together at the last minute. Type face and formatting somewhat average.
- RobertReviewed in Australia on April 11, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A harrowing tale of the retreat from Kabul
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThe slaughter of innocent men, women and children of the camp followers. The freezing conditions, the lack of food, and the poor leadership of those in charge. A terrible tragedy, that needed to be told. The author has done an excellent job bringing this episode to light, and allowing us to see what a few fanatics can do.
- David FrenchReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating how history repeats itself
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseHaving read this account,and having witnessed the defeat of the Russians at the hands of the Afghan fighters,what ever made the allies think that they could do any better?
- Ta BreakspearReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Retreat from kabul
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseVery good read
Well worth the time.fills in all the gaps in the story I knew.recommend to any one interested.
- DB & MJSReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseHere we go again, 100 years later !