Suggested reading on the Crimean War?

[Mark]

Can anyone suggest a particulary good book on the Crimean War? Something that gives an excellent overview of the war and stands out from the crowd maybe?

Mark

[Andre Chissel]

Hi Mark,

A good reference work regarding the Royal Artillery is:

"The History of the Royal Artillery (Crimean Period) By Col J.R.J.Jocelyn The Naval & Military Press - a reprint of the original first published in 1911.

Sorry do not know a general book as my research is specific !

Also available online is this - not specific to the Crimea but stlll good:

http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=M ... y_Magazine

Andre

[Mark]

Thanks, Andre! I will take a look. By the way I received your other articles and will have a read through

Mark

[Philip Wilson]

Mark

In February 1956, I visited the Henley on Thames Public Library and found Henry Clifford VC – His Letters and Sketches from the Crimea. first published in 1956 by Michael Joseph Ltd. Throughout the school holidays the book was reserved no less than 10 times and in October 1956 the Librarian was heard to remark “he is the only person who has had this book out so far this year – you had best buy it him.” I still have this book in the Crimean section of my library.

CLIFFORD was closely engaged in the Battles of Alma and Inkerman and was present at the assault on Sebastopol. He was an eyewitness of the Charge of the Heavy and Light Brigades and as an A.D.C. was constantly in the front line trenches and saps, undertaking reconnaissances. His Victoria Cross was awarded for conspicuous courage at Inkerman.

Another useful book is Little Hodge being extracts from the Diaries and Letters of Colonel Edward Cooper HODGE written during the Crimean War, edited by The Marques of Anglesey published by Leo Cooper in 1971. ISBN 0 85052 070 3.

The Light Cavalry Brigade in Crimea – extracts from the Letters and Journal of the late General Lord PAGET was first published in 1881 and reprinted in 1975. ISBN 0 7158 1046 4.

Charge Hurrah Hurrah – A Life of CARDIGAN of Balaclava by Donald Thomas is worth reading it was first published in 1974 ISBN 0 7100 7914 1. The book contains a useful six page bibliography on books covering the Crimean War.

For those of us who collect medals then Honour The Light Brigade by William M.Lummis and Kenneth G.Wyn published in 1973 ISBN 0 903754 03 7 proved to be an exceptionally useful starting point, providing brief biographical details of those who served with the Light Brigade during the Crimea.

The late Canon William Murrell LUMMIS MC compiled much of The Victoria Cross Archive and his legacy lives on for others to enjoy. This takes us back to CLIFFORD VC and the chance encounter in the public library in the year of the Victoria Cross Centenary (1956).

These are some of my favourite books on the Crimean War.

[Mark]

Hi Philip

There look to be some cracking suggestions there, thanks for posting I will have a look and see what is currently available.

Many thanks for your time and help.

Mark

[Philip Wilson]

Mark

Thanks - here is an exceptionally good book The Gallant Six Hundred by John Harris published in 1973, ISBN 0 09 115920 2 - well worth reading. Four pages of Sources and six pages of Notes on Sources.

[Peter]

Mark,

I've just finished reading Orlando Figes' Crimea: The Last Crusade, Allen Lane, 2010.

I don't know what your specific interests are, but whereas I think the other books recommended above are 'more military', this, quoting from one review:

"There are several important books on the war but Figes has taken a broader perspective, using Russian sources as well as British and French, and applying his deep knowledge of Russian history to provide new insights ..... "

Figes, a "Russian scholar". ..... history Professor at the University of London ..... "has written an illuminating history of the war and, in particular, its religious dimensions".

[Will Mathieson]

"The Highland Brigade in the Crimea" not an overview but a first hand account of what was seen and known as any regular officer would know being posted in limited positions during the war. Very few but high ranking officers may have any overview of the war during its progression. I suppose journalists had more free reign to see the war unfold. The book is a series of dated letters by Lt Col Anthony Sterling, and apon his death his wish was to have the book published but the executor waited another 20 years because too many personal feelings would be wronged by the writers criticisms of the avoidable Crimean disasters, so the introduction claims.

[Mark]

Thanks for the further suggestions chaps! I will take a look

Mark

[Peter]

Orlando Figes, The Crimean War: A History

Reviewed by Gary J Bass

New York Times, Books Update / Sunday Book Review, July 8, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/books ... updateema3

[Stuart_Bates]

You might also try A Most Desperate Undertaking published by the National Army Museum. A splendid pictorial history with period photos and many items from the museum's extensive collection.

Stuart

[Cathey Brimage]

A new book called Crimean Memories Artifacts of the Crimean War 300 plus pages fantastic photos covers british french russian italian and turkish our copy arrived yesterday ordered it from amazon and arrived in australia in four days.

cheers rex

[Mark]

Thanks for the additional suggestions! One thing that annoys me with certain books is the lack of maps that so often help the reader better understand the battles and campaigns. I am a major fan of well thought out and detailed maps that illustrate how the actions unfolded and I wish some authors made better use of them.

Mark