William Russell Special Correspondent of "The Times"

by Roger Hudson

Genres: History, Journalism, Research, Nonfiction

426 pages

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible view of an older world, a bigger world, through the eyes of a Victorian Englishman. Particular highlights are his time in the US at the outbreak of the Civil War, his time in India during a rebellion there, and his time reporting on the Franco-Prussian war (where he chanced across Bismarck and the Kaiser).

Everywhere, though, Russell's prose is vivid and his manner adventurous. The writings of a man who can claim to have watched artillerymen line up a cannon with his spyglass on multiple occasions are bound to be interesting.

Superb book. I strongly recommend it.

[Huw Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Russell was an extraordinary man living in extraordinary times. He wrote for various newspapers and his own journals during the second half of the nineteenth century and covered, amongst others, the Crimean War, The Crushing of the Indian Revolt, The American Civil War, The Franco-Prussian War and the aftermath of Zulu War. He also covered royal marriages and tours. The last piece in the book is written from a 'Special' train around the United States as it was being opened up, in the company of various dignitaries from the UK.
He was a gifted war correspondent, with an innate ability report dispositions and tactics, both good and bad. Throughout he also remains humane, talking repeatedly of the horrific wounds inflicted, the ghastly hospital conditions and the corpses stinking and rotting in the aftermath of a battle. It is said that his reporting of the horrors of Scutari led to the arrival of Florence Nightingale and the advent of modern nursing.
He also appears to be a humanist. Whilst reporting the rampant racism displayed by the English rulers of India, he wonders, in a very coherent way, in his writings exactly what Imperialism has done to deserve the gratitiude of the Indian populations. Whilst he admires the romantic idealism and militarism of the Confederacy, he openly abhors slavery. In fact it was the Northern States who deprived him of his journalist's ticket because he described the First Battle of Bull Run for what it was - a disastrous piece of miltary incompetence by the North.
His writing is eloquent and powerful. It is thought provoking because he asks questions about Imperialism and Racism that we are still tying to answer today.

[Martyn Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russel certainly lived an exciting life and his reports bring to life an age many moons removed from todays somewhat tepid world. Loved to read those lapsed words and forgotten phraseology that took me back to a Dickensian time. The reports from The Crimea are particularly vivid and must have shocked back home where I suspect factual reporting was something new. Book was an enlightening read to someone with no knowledge of any of his topics. Immerse yourself in life 160 years ago - and consider
the reality check!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.