General Lord Wolseley was a significant figure of the Victorian era, one of the few military leaders of the late 19th century whose fame transcends his time. He served the British Empire in countries such as Burma, India, China, Crimea, Canada, Ashanti, Egypt, South Africa, and Sudan. He distinguished himself as a soldier, staff officer, army commander, reformer, and eventually as the chief of the armed forces. However, there has been no substantial study on Wolseley for a generation, and a reevaluation of his life and achievements is necessary. This is why Stephen Manning's insightful military biography, which places Wolseley within the context of his time and seeks to strip away the mythology developed during his lifetime, is so timely and significant.
Each of Wolseley's campaigns is examined in vivid detail, and the main battles in which he participated, either as an officer or as a general, are graphically described. His performance as a commander, from the great success against the Ashanti to the failure to save Gordon from Khartoum, is critically assessed to determine whether he deserves his brilliant reputation. His efforts as a military reformer are also examined, especially whether he could have done more to prepare Britain for the war against the Boers.
Stephen Manning's clear narrative of Wolseley's career will be a captivating read for anyone interested in the 19th-century British military, colonial warfare, and the exploits of one of Queen Victoria's most admired generals.
Pages: 224, Dimensions: 15.6x15.6cm
