Warriors in Scarlet

by Knight Ian

With its exciting narrative style, careful analysis and emphasis on first-person accounts, Warriors in Scarlet is destined to become a classic.

Following on from the bestselling success of Zulu Rising , acclaimed military historian Ian Knight has turned his attention to Queen Victoria’s army as it underwent seismic change between 1837 and 1860. The army drew men hoping to escape the harsh grind of rural life, the city slums of the Industrial Revolution and even prison sentences, and trained them to fight using techniques that had defeated Napoleon. But the rapid expansion of the British Empire meant they found themselves facing diverse and skilful enemies around the world. Often under-strength and operating in unfamiliar terrain, British troops had to adapt or die.

In Warriors in The Life and Times of Britain’s Last Redcoa ts , Ian Knight draws on evocative accounts from ordinary soldiers as well as officers to show us what daily life was like in the army, from the floggings and desertions to the comradeship. He vividly recreates the action on the ground, from bloody skirmishes to disasters like the 1842 retreat from Kabul and Chillianwala – but shows that in reality the army won more than four-fifths of the battles they fought in this era. By 1860, redcoats no longer, they are a more professional, efficient and sometimes ruthless fighting force. .

Genres: History, Military History

Hardcover

Published June 9, 2022

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good history of British soldiers during the Victorian Age. Learned about this book from the Redcoat History Youtube channel.

[William Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great history of the red coats during the reign of Queen Victoria. It touches on many parts of the vast empire of which these men were called to fight in. Knight brings a plethora of these men’s journals and diaries from the highest class lords to the lowest of the enlisted, and always giving great context in relation to the wider political offence to each of the conflicts covered as well as the wider social and political atmosphere at the empire’s centre. Also covering the factors that led these men into the army. May the never set

[Eva Chatterji · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy the book, some of the errors in the chapter regarding the Indian Mutiny were simply too glaringly obvious. The chapter itself felt rushed, and when it came down to it, did little to add to an otherwise very interesting book. With that said, the book is certainly well worth the read!

[Will Davis-Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book was written should be the gold standard for history books. It caught my attention from the very beginning and had me fully engaged throughout. I learnt so much and I was disappointed when it ended - I would love to have heard more about the latter half of the 19th century conflicts but it was pretty much beyond the scope of the book. Highly recommend, fantastic writing.

[Abe Staples-McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book about some major wars and some smaller wars I had no idea about. The Victorian age isn't a period I've read into a lot and this is interesting in it's discussion of the soldiers and life in an advancing empire.

[John Tuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much politics and not enough redcoats for me to be honest. First book in a long time that I've given up on

[Jem Wilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The accounts by the soldiers were interesting

[Mark Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Gary Loewy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book. I do enjoy history books covering British empire wars. This covered conflicts in Africa and New Zealand that were new to me.

[Will Burn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rip-roaring account of the trials and tribulations of the British Army. I was worried beforehand that like much military history it might become a dry account of battalion and regimental movements and attacks. This was not the case. The narrative beautifully brought the whole imperial adventures of the army and the redcoats together and situated it all in the political context of the time. Explanations of the motivations of individuals and the first hand accounts included really brought the battles to life. A very engaging analysis of the slow but steady transformation of the red coats from the Wellington-era through to the dawn of more modernised warfare that was taking place in the 1850s: khaki and genocidal extermination against the Xhosa; attritional trench warfare in the Crimea and the more centralised and professional Indian Army that developed in the wake of the Indian Mutiny/War of Independence.