Crimea

By: Orlando Figes

Narrated by: Malk Williams

The terrible conflict that dominated the mid-19th century, the Crimean War, killed at least 800,000 men and pitted Russia against a formidable coalition of Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. It was a war for territory, provoked by fear that if the Ottoman Empire were to collapse then Russia could control a huge swathe of land from the Balkans to the Persian Gulf. But it was also a war of religion, driven by a fervent, populist and ever more ferocious belief by the Tsar and his ministers that it was Russia's task to rule all Orthodox Christians and control the Holy Land.

Orlando Figes' major new book reimagines this extraordinary war, in which the stakes could not have been higher and which was fought with a terrible mixture of ferocity and incompetence. It was both a recognisably modern conflict - the first to be extensively photographed, the first to employ the telegraph, the first 'newspaper war' - and a traditional one, with illiterate soldiers, amateur officers and huge casualties caused by disease. Drawing on a huge range of fascinating sources, Figes also gives the lived experience of the war, from that of the ordinary British soldier in his snow-filled trench to the haunted, gloomy, narrow figure of Tsar Nicholas himself as he vows to take on the whole world in his hunt for religious salvation.

©2010 Orlando Figes (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

Amazing account of a forgotten war

Orlando Figes has provided a stirring account of an all but forgotten war. The Crimean War is the epitome of war where nothing was truly gained or lost by either side. His description of “Russo phobia” is right on target in regards to the west, and that is what essentially threw the French and British into the heat of battle. But no one won, and thousands upon thousands of lives were lost before Russian capitulation. Malk Williams narration is just right for the pacing of the story.

Excellent detailed history of a forgotten war

Very well researched. Delivery was first rate. I learned a lot from this book. Highly recommend.

recommended

I think the author has done a great job covering the lead-up of the war, the war itself, as well as the long-term consequences. it covers military, political, and cultural topics. The narrator was well suited to the book and did not sound monotone to me. When quoting sources, he adds a subtle inflection or accent to his voice which some may find distracting, but adds clarity to who is speaking at a given time

Very detailed account

Great in-depth story of the Crimean War. The Author did and excellent job also of detailing the events leading up to the war and of the consequences of the war.

A brilliant linking of great events.

Crimean War unfortunately remains unknown even to some of the modern theory bound historians. With his usual vigourous and insightful holistic analysis of a local historical event, Orlando Figes links it to the shattering global changes the Great War brought about. As usual when it comes to all so-called great events, it was precipitated by the hypocrisy, gross incompetence and the pusillanimity of the 'Great Powers'. Documentary evidence of this has not been forthcoming largely because most historians were all too keen to explain historical events in terms of some putative intensions of the decision-makers involved and dragging in the unpredictability of its outcome when an event has been initiated. Professor Figes illumines the past by drawing our attention to the foibles and frailties of the historial 'greats', and one sees clearly how unwise it is to expect integrity and competence either from the democratic or the autocratic unless those two qualities are embodied in our 'leaders'. Alas! Then as now, we can be depended on to make wrong choices, going for the packing and wrapping rather than the content. The only difference being that the buffoons of yore often had impeccable manners while their modern counterparts are mere cunning yokels.

The reading is good, and I am delighted to recommend this wonderful book to anyone who would care to see how today is shaped by the past events. It is nothing short of a revealation to anyone with a modicum of curiosity, and such an illumination
cannot be achieved in a few pages, nor without offering the reader ample background material. I am very happy I bought this book, and shall read it many times.