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Retreat from Kabul: The First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842 (Conflicts of Empire) Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 202 ratings

A fascinating account of one of the most ludicrously mismanaged expeditions in the history of warfare. Ideal for readers of Shashi Tharoor, Adam Hochschild and William Dalrymple.

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George Bruce delves into a vast array of published and unpublished nineteenth century sources to uncover this campaign in which very few British survivors made it back through the snow-laden passes to India.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.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Bruce is the author of several war history books, including Retreat from Kabul, Six Battles for India, and The Burma Wars.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 202 ratings

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4.4 out of 5 stars
202 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A 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.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    For 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.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An 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.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Retreat 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 .
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Needs some editing but was worth it. Understanding the history of Afghanistan seems timely and important. I look forward to the other volumes
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Excellent 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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This 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.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Richard W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Retreat from Kabul
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    An 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.
  • Robert
    5.0 out of 5 stars A harrowing tale of the retreat from Kabul
    Reviewed in Australia on April 11, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The 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 French
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating how history repeats itself
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Having 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 Breakspear
    5.0 out of 5 stars Retreat from kabul
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very good read

    Well worth the time.fills in all the gaps in the story I knew.recommend to any one interested.
  • DB & MJS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Here we go again, 100 years later !

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