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Retreat from Kabul: The First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842
A fascinating account of one of the most ludicrously mismanaged expeditions in the history of warfare. Ideal for readers of Shashi Tharoor, Adam Hochschild and William Dalrymple.
The British East India Company dominated the Indian subcontinent, yet they were not secure in their position.
Holding unjustified fears that Russia threatened India’s north-western border, the Company decided to make a pre-emptive strike and ensure that this menace would be stopped by a strong pro-British Afghanistan.
Thousands of British and Indian troops invaded this mountainous land to intervene in a succession dispute between emir Dost Mahommed Khan and former emir Shah Shuja-ool-Mulk. After capturing Kabul they placed the cruel, but pro-British Shah Shuja upon the throne once again, and supported him with an overwhelming military presence.
However, the proud and ruthless warriors of Afghanistan were unwilling to submit themselves to British control and within three years they had risen up against their oppressors in one of the bloodiest revolts in history.
George Bruce delves into a vast array of published and unpublished nineteenth century sources to uncover this campaign in which very few British survivors made it back through the snow-laden passes to India.
“the worst British military disaster until the fall of Singapore exactly a century later.” The Economist
The Times described Bruce’s books as “well researched, with a keen eye for historical detail.”
Retreat from Kabul is a brilliant account of the First Anglo-Afghan War. It is part of the series Conflicts of Empire , which also includes Six Battles for The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845-6 and 1848-9 and The Burma 1824-1886.
The British East India Company dominated the Indian subcontinent, yet they were not secure in their position.
Holding unjustified fears that Russia threatened India’s north-western border, the Company decided to make a pre-emptive strike and ensure that this menace would be stopped by a strong pro-British Afghanistan.
Thousands of British and Indian troops invaded this mountainous land to intervene in a succession dispute between emir Dost Mahommed Khan and former emir Shah Shuja-ool-Mulk. After capturing Kabul they placed the cruel, but pro-British Shah Shuja upon the throne once again, and supported him with an overwhelming military presence.
However, the proud and ruthless warriors of Afghanistan were unwilling to submit themselves to British control and within three years they had risen up against their oppressors in one of the bloodiest revolts in history.
George Bruce delves into a vast array of published and unpublished nineteenth century sources to uncover this campaign in which very few British survivors made it back through the snow-laden passes to India.
“the worst British military disaster until the fall of Singapore exactly a century later.” The Economist
The Times described Bruce’s books as “well researched, with a keen eye for historical detail.”
Retreat from Kabul is a brilliant account of the First Anglo-Afghan War. It is part of the series Conflicts of Empire , which also includes Six Battles for The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845-6 and 1848-9 and The Burma 1824-1886.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1969
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About the author
George Bruce
126 books7 followersA former freelance journalist who worked as a sub-editor for Reuters and as European news editor for UPA, George Bruce was an author of popular military histories and company histories.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 15, 2021
Originally published in 1967, Retreat from Kabul is a terrific account of the bloody conflict between the British and East Indian Company forces and their formidable foe the Afghan emir Barakzai. With George Bruce, it's popular history at its best. We get a very detailed overview of the First Anglo-Afghan War that lasted between 1839 and 1842 and the reasons behind the catastrophic British defeat following Britain's retreat and the evacuation of Kabul in early January 1842, culminating with the massacre of William Elphinston's army , a bloody slaughter from which few survived. I remember reading this book for the first time in the early 80's because pertinent comparisons were made at the time between this traumatic episode in British military history and the Aghan quagmire that heralded the end of the Soviet Union almost 150 years later..... Many thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to (re)read this wonderful book prior to its release date and kudos to Sapere for making this fascinating story available once again
May 20, 2021
Harrowing if somewhat stilted.
An excellent account of the series of ill conceived military and political decisions which led to what was possibly the greatest disaster in the annals of British colonial history. I found the narrative very readable, not dry and weighed down with excess logistical data, but not bereft of necessary logical information. It is certainly a tragic tale in more ways than the obvious horrific loss of life . The lives of soldiers and non combatants alike were sacrificed to the ambitions of unworthy men, to the incompetence of the British colonial governor in India, and the favoritism he showed for incompetent officers placed in authority. It being an older book, the author's pro imperialist point of view, his disdain for the enemies of the British Empire comes through at times, but not enough to make more than few dubious claims completely cringe worthy.
An excellent account of the series of ill conceived military and political decisions which led to what was possibly the greatest disaster in the annals of British colonial history. I found the narrative very readable, not dry and weighed down with excess logistical data, but not bereft of necessary logical information. It is certainly a tragic tale in more ways than the obvious horrific loss of life . The lives of soldiers and non combatants alike were sacrificed to the ambitions of unworthy men, to the incompetence of the British colonial governor in India, and the favoritism he showed for incompetent officers placed in authority. It being an older book, the author's pro imperialist point of view, his disdain for the enemies of the British Empire comes through at times, but not enough to make more than few dubious claims completely cringe worthy.
May 18, 2021
I delayed reading the whole book and made a mistake. The author has tried successfully to show and explain the British attempts to take control of Afghanistan, and this also teaches lessons about the current situation in this region.
The language is easy to learn, and the reader - even unfamiliar with this part of the history - can get an idea of the situation in which the British Empire is trying to gain a foothold in Afghanistan - and the subsequent failures.
I will follow the author - by the way, this book is part of a series of three books. I recommend the other two too - for India and Burma.
The language is easy to learn, and the reader - even unfamiliar with this part of the history - can get an idea of the situation in which the British Empire is trying to gain a foothold in Afghanistan - and the subsequent failures.
I will follow the author - by the way, this book is part of a series of three books. I recommend the other two too - for India and Burma.
July 30, 2024
A solid overall narrative of the war and the reasons for it. Like with some other wars fought in this mountainous country it shouldn’t have happened but due to the ambitions of men like William MacNaghten.
May 9, 2021
Retreat from kabul
Very good read
Well worth the time.fills in all the gaps in the story I knew.recommend to any one interested.
Very good read
Well worth the time.fills in all the gaps in the story I knew.recommend to any one interested.
May 31, 2021
Yet another British debacle
February 1, 2022
Interesting read
Needs some editing but was worth it. Understanding the history of Afghanistan seems timely and important. I look forward to the other volumes
Needs some editing but was worth it. Understanding the history of Afghanistan seems timely and important. I look forward to the other volumes
July 7, 2025
This book is boring and dry as a bone!!!!. I found at least 4 errors. Surely this book has been proof read??
No I would not recommend this book!!
No I would not recommend this book!!
September 2, 2025
I was looking forward to this. I blame George.
May 6, 2020
A well-written account on one of the most shameful defeats in British Military history. For rather dubious reason of trying to forestall Russian incursions in Central Asia, Lord Auckland, decided to restore the deposed Shah Suja to the throne of Afghanistan. After a badly planned expedition in 1839, the British forces reached Kabul & Shah Suja was installed as king. Intrigue followed intrigue. Eventually the Afghans rose up & the political officers Sir Alexander Burnes & Sir William Macnaghten were killed. The British army under the incompetent command of General Elphinstone, starving & in the middle of winter we’re forced to retreat under relentless attack by Afghan tribesmen. This resulted in the entire army being completely wiped out, with the except of the few officers & wives of officers who were held as hostages. Just one horseman, Dr Brydon reached the British garrison in Jellalabad.
This is a readable account of the whole sorry saga, from its origins to the retreat & end of what it known as the 1st Afghan War - a forerunner of more recent events in that luckless country.
This is a readable account of the whole sorry saga, from its origins to the retreat & end of what it known as the 1st Afghan War - a forerunner of more recent events in that luckless country.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews