- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: The Lyons Press; illustrated edition edition (April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1585745790
- ISBN-13: 978-1585745791
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.7 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 982,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Synopsis
Using research from contemporary letters, dispatches and journals, Patrick MacRory provides a compelling and gripping account of what became known as the First Afghan War, the culmination of which was the catastrophic British flight from Kabul in January 1842 that resulted in the deaths of 16,000 people. The war was Britain's folly. At the height of its power in India, Britain sought to create stability in the subcontinent, and prevent Russian and Persian encroachments, by removing from the Afgham throne a popular and colourful leader and replacing him with the unpopular though legitimate king. The experiment ended with the British Resident in Kabul butchered by an angry mob, a British envoy shot by an Afghan leader during a discussion - his dismembered corpse hung in the Kabul bazaar - and the ill-fated retreat. Seven days after Britain's Army of the Indus and 12,000 followers, including a number of British wives and children, left the gates of Kabul, a solitary horseman, bruised and bleeding, made his way slowly to the safety of the British garrison 90 harsh miles away. As officers ruched to bring him inside, orders were given to light a signal fire to guide others to safety.But there was no one else to view the beacon.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Macrory's book should become a classic of this and any other time; it is an example of narrative history at its best.
While the subject matter may be weighty, Macrory, through his witty turn of phrase and mastery of prose, has told a fascinating tale which has the reader gripped throughout.
'Retreat from Kabul' is a history of one of the most catastrophic military disasters ever suffered by a British army abroad, and the first suffered at the hands of a native army. This in itself had huge ramifications both throughout the empire and back in London. Of a retreating army of 12000 men, just one survived to tell the tale. Macrory's knowledge of the events, and his understanding of the complex characters involved and their relationships with each other, has enabled him to convey the tension and suspense of the events leading up to the retreat, which both increase and unfurl with every page.
Strangely this an area of british history which is all but forgotten, perhaps deliberately so. Yet it is a tale both of unbelievable stupidity, and, in turn, true heroism. It also has echoes in today's political climate, showing just how disasterous the taking of a foreign people against their will, particularly when ill-prepared and led by wayward minded men can be. I would recommend this book to all.
While the subject matter may be weighty, Macrory, through his witty turn of phrase and mastery of prose, has told a fascinating tale which has the reader gripped throughout.
'Retreat from Kabul' is a history of one of the most catastrophic military disasters ever suffered by a British army abroad, and the first suffered at the hands of a native army. This in itself had huge ramifications both throughout the empire and back in London. Of a retreating army of 12000 men, just one survived to tell the tale. Macrory's knowledge of the events, and his understanding of the complex characters involved and their relationships with each other, has enabled him to convey the tension and suspense of the events leading up to the retreat, which both increase and unfurl with every page.
Strangely this an area of british history which is all but forgotten, perhaps deliberately so. Yet it is a tale both of unbelievable stupidity, and, in turn, true heroism. It also has echoes in today's political climate, showing just how disasterous the taking of a foreign people against their will, particularly when ill-prepared and led by wayward minded men can be. I would recommend this book to all.
Format:Paperback
Wonderful book could not put it down. Very well written and the Author manages to explain very well an extremely complicated political environment at the time
Format:Paperback
This book tells the story of the British occupation of Afghanistan during the period 1838 - 1842. It is a compelling read and sets a historic background to the current conflict.
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