By Cecil Woodham-Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This history is a war story of astonishing courage and honor, of stupidity, of blood, death, agony — and waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing in British campaign history has ever equaled the tragic farce that was the charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War’s Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In revealing the combination of pride and obstinacy that was to prove so fatal, Woodham-Smith gives us a picture of a vanished world, in which heroism and military glory guaranteed an immortality impossible in a more cynical age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mentality of the leaders involved is discussed in detail and presents almost a biography of Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan, covering the system of purchase at the time that allowed rich and entitled men to buy rank and leadership whilst ignoring experience is crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first part of the book gives a history lesson about Britain at the time and he cruel measures inflicted on Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book then covers the war in the Crimea between Britain and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That the events that transpired were allowed to happen is maddening reading about it now. A really good read if you want to know more about the subject though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n