Nothing in British campaign history has ever equalled the tragic farce that was the Charge of the Light Brigade. In this fascinating study, Cecil Woodham-Smith shows that responsibility for the fatal mismanagement of the affair rested with the Earls of Cardigan and Lucan, brothers-in-law and sworn enemies for more than thirty years. In revealing the combination of pride and obstinacy that was to prove so fatal, the author gives us a picture of a vanished world, in which heroism and military glory guaranteed an immortality impossible in a more cynical age.
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MILITARY GLORY! It was a dream that century after century had seized on men's imaginations and set their blood on fire. Read the first page
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MILITARY GLORY! It was a dream that century after century had seized on men's imaginations and set their blood on fire. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Wasp
Format:Paperback
This is THE definitive work on this fascinating and tragic subject. The author has researched the subject matter meticulously and it shows! The characters,the period and the long ranging result of the Charge start with a 'walk' through the main characters involved i.e. Lord Cardigan, Lord Lucan and Captain Louis Nolan, their backgrounds and what has made them the people they are. We then move to the 'march' when the Brigade arrives in the Crimea and is subject to the realities and horrors of war not only with the enemy but with disease and Victorian beaurocracy whilst still being kept 'in a bandbox' by Lord Lucan. The book moves on to the 'trot' when the Charge actually takes place and this is simply breathtaking due to the wealth of information and detail that Woodham-Smith has placed before the reader. A definite must - after reading this book the aroma of cordite, human bravery and and the stupidity of 'the upper classes' will remain with the reader as long as this action has remained an outstanding example of military incompetence in the annals of British history. If you read only one book on this subject then tome will cover all aspects of this subject.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Well written account of the events leading up to the charge of the Light Brigade. One of the few history books that combines not only great historical insight into the pride and social quagmire of Victorian England but also exciting and entertaining reading for someone that knows nothing about that period of history. I would very much like other suggestions of well written history books (Others suggested so far are CV Wedgewood's "The King's Peace" and Runciman's "The First Crusade")
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew G
Format:Paperback
I brought this book with on a trip to the Crimea in 2009 and to read while on holiday in the Ukraine. I thought that this book would be a good guide to have while touring Sevastopol & Balaclava and seeing some of the battle fields there.
Cecil Woodham Smith presents a gloriously readable account of the Charge of the Light Brigade, the lead up to the fatal charge and some of the political fall out in Britain after the battle. The book is lively & entertaining and her enthusiasm for the topic shines through with a boyish intensity.
However it is obvious from reading the book that Cecil Woodham Smith never visited the Crimea and the book is short on details that tie it to this region of the world. Given that the book was written in the 1950s, it is understandable that the book had to be written from a distance at the height of the Cold War.
The book could have done with some maps of the Black Sea region where the Crimean War battles occured in Bulgaria & in the Crimea. Also useful would have been maps showing how the battle unfolded and the fateful choices that launched the infamous charge towards the Russian cannon.
I can honestly say however that "The Reason Why" is an enjoyable book and reads well, but would be a little disappointing to the military historian.
Cecil Woodham Smith presents a gloriously readable account of the Charge of the Light Brigade, the lead up to the fatal charge and some of the political fall out in Britain after the battle. The book is lively & entertaining and her enthusiasm for the topic shines through with a boyish intensity.
However it is obvious from reading the book that Cecil Woodham Smith never visited the Crimea and the book is short on details that tie it to this region of the world. Given that the book was written in the 1950s, it is understandable that the book had to be written from a distance at the height of the Cold War.
The book could have done with some maps of the Black Sea region where the Crimean War battles occured in Bulgaria & in the Crimea. Also useful would have been maps showing how the battle unfolded and the fateful choices that launched the infamous charge towards the Russian cannon.
I can honestly say however that "The Reason Why" is an enjoyable book and reads well, but would be a little disappointing to the military historian.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Infomation over-load
This book is very well-researched and provides a wholly-believable explanation for the Charge of the Light Brigade.
BUT I found it a difficult read. Read more
BUT I found it a difficult read. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Donald Hughes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good narrative, but where's the analysis??
The book reads more like a novel than a work of military history. As my old lecturer used to comment, ' Well done, a good narrative, but where's the analysis?'. Read more
Published 22 months ago by R. G. Anders
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Reason Why by Cecil Woodham Smith
An excellent account of the backgound of the Crimean War and the various military "fools" who were involved. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2010 by eric kelk
4.0 out of 5 stars
not so incompetant
This is without doubt an excellant review of the charge of the Light Brigade and the main charaters involved. Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by James Wells
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good read, but not academically brilliant
As a student of War Studies, I bought this book to aid me with a project involving the Charge of the Light Brigade. Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2005 by Thomas Black
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still the best account of the Charge of the Light Brigade
The Reason Why remains the classic study of the intriguing and sadly ludicrous episode in military history known as the Charge of the Light Brigade. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2002 by Daniel Jolley
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Charge!
This is THE definitive work on this fascinating and tragic subject. The author has researched the subject matter meticulously and it shows! Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2002 by Wasp
4.0 out of 5 stars
A character-driven account of events leading to the charge.
Woodham-Smith adopts an original approach to her account of the events which culminated in the charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2001
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