- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Pimlico; New edition edition (23 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844137341
- ISBN-13: 978-1844137343
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
228,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Crimean War
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Product Description
Book Description
A definitive and highly readable account of the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in the Crimean War, brought fully up to date to mark the 150th anniversary.
Product Description
The charge of the Light Brigade is one of Britain's best-known glorious military disasters. On 25 October 1854, during the siege of Sebastopol, the Light Brigade attacked Russian gun positions at Balaclava. The charge lasted 7 minutes; of 673 officers and men who went into action, 247 men and 497 horses were lost. This book shatters many long-held conceptions of how and why it happened, and who was to blame. Mark Adkin, a former professional soldier, has combined military expertise and detailed research of participants' accounts with a careful examination of the actual ground. His story switches carefully from the strategic and tactical problems of the battlefield to what it was like for the trooper riding down the valley or a Russian gunner serving his cannon. Through the novel use of sketches the reader can, at every stage, look down on the battlefield from the same position as that used by the British commander-in-chief, Lord Raglan. He sees the situation as Raglan saw it when he gave his order that launched the Brigade down the valley of death. Raglan gave the order, Captain Nolan delivered it, Lord Lucan received it, and the Earl of Cardigan executed it. History has disagreed over the share of the blame. This book makes a masterly analysis of the probabilities and discusses factors previously overlooked. There is a cogent argument, never made before, that the blunder was deliberate. The result is a gripping and definitive study of a debacle that has never ceased to enthral the imagination. (20031208)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you want to know which book to read about the early days of the Crimea, and especially of "the Charge", this has to be it. Adkin's research is outstanding and his presentational style matches it. The detail on the artillery fire that the riders would have had to go through on their way down the valley (and back) is stunning, and makes you think about the event in a completely new way. A remarkable achievement, written with authority and skill. Buy it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I liked the style of this book and found it a useful and interesting read. I am not an expert or trained historian therefore my needs are a readable account. The Charge fully meets this need. Due to my interest in this battle I am currently reading everything I can find on Amazon on the subject! This is a text I would recommend to others undertaking a reading of the battle as worthy of a purchase.
The paperback has some great features such as placing the regiments in their modern day context. The Photographs are also great allowing you to gain a sense of the space and people. My very slight negative and really more a constructive feedback point is the drawings. I suspect the publishers to keep cost down required these as plan line drawings. Had these been in colour and larger, as hard to read the small text even for me with good eyesight, other than these minor point the book would have got my full five stars.
The paperback has some great features such as placing the regiments in their modern day context. The Photographs are also great allowing you to gain a sense of the space and people. My very slight negative and really more a constructive feedback point is the drawings. I suspect the publishers to keep cost down required these as plan line drawings. Had these been in colour and larger, as hard to read the small text even for me with good eyesight, other than these minor point the book would have got my full five stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't think that I could really add much to the previous excellent reviews on this interesting account of the Charge of the Light Brigade. The author, Mark Adkin, has produced an excellent account of the Charge of the Light Brigade, which occurred on the 25th of October 1854 during the siege of Sebastopol. Utilising his in-depth research to provide answers to how, why and who, the narrative takes you along with the cavalrymen on their charge into the Russian gun positions.
The book has a number of detailed drawings, maps, and photographs to assist you on this reckless advance into the mouth of the guns. The book is very readable and I think that the author attempts to answer the question `who' was to blame quite fairly and without malice.
Overall a very good read for the student of military history or for anyone who just enjoys a good story.
The book has a number of detailed drawings, maps, and photographs to assist you on this reckless advance into the mouth of the guns. The book is very readable and I think that the author attempts to answer the question `who' was to blame quite fairly and without malice.
Overall a very good read for the student of military history or for anyone who just enjoys a good story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Real Reason Why The Light Brigade Was Lost.
As a 21 year old the movie starring David Hemmings back in the mid 1980's made quite an impact upon me and from thereon made me think of the utter futility of the action that has... Read more
Published 10 months ago by daveb0117
The Light Brigade
The Charge: The Real Reason Why the Light Brigade Was Lost
An excellent book that, as the title says, gives plenty of information as to what really happened. Read more
An excellent book that, as the title says, gives plenty of information as to what really happened. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by S. Brotherton
Another book by an historian who was never at Balaklava
Not paticularly inspiring as it's all been printed before by other authors who where never at Balaklava. Read more
Published on 25 July 2005 by Brian J. Plumb
The Charge
I have read it all before in so many other books relating to what supposedley happened at Balaklava. Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2005 by Brian J. Plumb
A well illustrated concise guide
There are many books on the Crimea War and on the events surrounding the Charge - until now the easiest read was "Flashman at the Charge" - now Mark Adkin has provided a wealth of... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2003 by Robert Wallace
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