Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire
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Review
Splendid . . . a terrific treasure-chest of anecdotes . . . a splendidly brisk, cool and judicious narrator (Daily Telegraph )
Incisive and acute . . . thorough and occasionally revelatory, [David] always finds a telling phrase, an eye-catching detail or a human story (Sunday Times )
Incisive and acute . . . thorough and occasionally revelatory, [David] always finds a telling phrase, an eye-catching detail or a human story (Sunday Times )
Review
Splendid ... a terrific treasure-chest of anecdotes ... a splendidly brisk, cool and judicious narrator Daily Telegraph Incisive and acute ... thorough and occasionally revelatory, [David] always finds a telling phrase, an eye-catching detail or a human story Sunday Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an interesting and well written book, but it is not quite what it seems, unless you pay great attention to the sub-title, 'Rise of Empire'. That is to say that the book does not cover by any means Victoria's wars but only those wars that took place prior to the death of Prince Albert on 14th December 1861. This necessarily means that all the wars involving Africa, including the Zulu War of 1879 and the Boer War of 1899, are excluded.
The main campaigns that are covered by this book are the Afghan Wars, the later Indian wars of conquest and the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the wars in Burma and Siam, and the Crimean and Opium Wars. The Crimean War of 1854 to 56 is particularly well dealt with and I do not think that I have read a clearer account of how the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava came to take place.
The author explains the background to the various campaigns very well. These are dealt with in chronological order. He describes the reasons for the action taken, and also keeps us well acquainted with the political pressures on the ministers of the time and the frequent changes of government. Having established the background the author then expertly sketches in the characteristics of the leading figures on both sides and often gives us detailed and graphic descriptions of the key moments in the battles or assaults.
David regularly relates the relationship of the various prime ministers and their foreign policy to the views of Victoria and Albert, Albert being no mere cipher in this field.
The book is well constructed and contains some interesting illustrations, line maps and a useful timeline of events.
The main campaigns that are covered by this book are the Afghan Wars, the later Indian wars of conquest and the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the wars in Burma and Siam, and the Crimean and Opium Wars. The Crimean War of 1854 to 56 is particularly well dealt with and I do not think that I have read a clearer account of how the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava came to take place.
The author explains the background to the various campaigns very well. These are dealt with in chronological order. He describes the reasons for the action taken, and also keeps us well acquainted with the political pressures on the ministers of the time and the frequent changes of government. Having established the background the author then expertly sketches in the characteristics of the leading figures on both sides and often gives us detailed and graphic descriptions of the key moments in the battles or assaults.
David regularly relates the relationship of the various prime ministers and their foreign policy to the views of Victoria and Albert, Albert being no mere cipher in this field.
The book is well constructed and contains some interesting illustrations, line maps and a useful timeline of events.
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable retelling of military history during the first part of Queen Victoria's reign up to the death of Prince Albert. The original aspect of this volume however the way in which Saul David has intertwined political and royal events with the succession of "minor" wars including the retreat from Kabul, the Indian Mutiny and the Crimean War.
Beautifully written a darn good yarn for all armchair soldiers and historians
Beautifully written a darn good yarn for all armchair soldiers and historians
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read many years ago that there was not a day during Queen Victoria's reign when there was not a war going on somewhere involving British forces. Saul David does a great job of describing a number of the early 'small wars' (plus the Crimean War which probably could not be described as a 'small war'), during the period running up to the death of Prince Albert. That is the only 'gotcha' - do not expect this book to cover any wars beyond the date of his death, such as the Zulu War and the Sudan War.
Nonetheless, it's a small 'gotcha' as this is a very well written story. The campaigns are well-described, but Mr David goes further in that he intertwines the descriptions of the military campaigns with a study of the political scene both at home and abroad and a good view of Victoria and Albert as Queen and Consort. He uses, in particular, the Queen's diaries and letters to really bring the era to life which provide a fascinating insight into a Queen who quickly developed a mature and professional political sense. Mr David also provides more than mere descriptions of the military aspects of the campaigns, but gives a good analysis of each scenario from a political and military point of view.
The result is a very readable history book which provides on overview of the wars of the period and the politics surrounding them. It is a great starter book which should naturally lead the reader onto more detailed accounts of the many campaigns fought around the world during the 19th Century. Highly recommended.
Nonetheless, it's a small 'gotcha' as this is a very well written story. The campaigns are well-described, but Mr David goes further in that he intertwines the descriptions of the military campaigns with a study of the political scene both at home and abroad and a good view of Victoria and Albert as Queen and Consort. He uses, in particular, the Queen's diaries and letters to really bring the era to life which provide a fascinating insight into a Queen who quickly developed a mature and professional political sense. Mr David also provides more than mere descriptions of the military aspects of the campaigns, but gives a good analysis of each scenario from a political and military point of view.
The result is a very readable history book which provides on overview of the wars of the period and the politics surrounding them. It is a great starter book which should naturally lead the reader onto more detailed accounts of the many campaigns fought around the world during the 19th Century. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Victoria's Wars
Saul David is one of the pre-eminent military historians of our age. His knowledge of the 19th Century conflicts in which England (Britain) was involved is amazing and his grasp of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tricky Dickie
Book: Victoria's Wars
The book was not new so the description was important - and the state of the book was exactly as described; and is well worth reading.
Published 1 month ago by Itinerant
A "little of everything", like an appetizer of conflict stories
As of late, i've been bited by the "historical curiosity" insect. This book came very at hand at introducing to myself the wars fought under Queen Victoria's reign. Read more
Published 14 months ago by José Javier Domènech Rozas
Victoria's Wars
I mistakenly gave this book a review rating of 1 instead of 5. My mistake. Ronnie the seller was disappointed so I am correcting my original rating. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2009 by Mr. O. D. Pickmere
Victoria's wars through 1861 only
The book covers the first twenty-five years of Victoria's reign. No wars or campaigns after 1861 are discussed, so expect nothing on the North-West Frontier, for example.
Published on 7 April 2008 by another reader
BRILLIANT
A GREAT INSIGHT INTO THE EARLY LIFE AND TIMES OF QUEEN VICTORIA AND PRINCE ALBERT AND HER SUBJECTS . A GREAT BOOK EASY TO READ, WELL WRITTEN.
Published on 30 May 2007 by BOOKWORM
A good account of the period
The author was inspired to write his history after reading George Macdonald Fraser's Flashman novels. The novels and this history compliment each other very well.
Published on 19 April 2007 by Gary B
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