The Invasion of the Crimea
Its Origin and an Account of its Progress Down to the Death of Lord Raglan

This monumental work on the Crimean War by an eyewitness was first published between 1863 and 1887.

Alexander William Kinglake (Author)

9781108023931, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2010

594 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 colour illus. 12 maps
21.6 x 3.4 x 14 cm, 0.75 kg

Alexander William Kinglake (1809–1891) was a travel writer and historian. He witnessed the battle of the Alma and the Charge of the Light Brigade, and became well acquainted with the British commander, Lord Raglan. This work was commissioned by Lady Raglan to repair her husband's reputation, and Kinglake was given access to Raglan's papers, and to private and confidential state records. The eight volumes were published between 1863 and 1887. They were extremely successful commercially, but received mixed critical reviews, owing to the bias and prejudice shown by the author, and serious questions were raised about his use of the sources to which he was given exclusive access. However, the breadth of his research, corresponding with or interviewing participants in the war, and use of French, Turkish and Russian sources as well as British, gives lasting value to the work. Volume 3 ends with the siege of Sebastopol.

1. Disposition of the Allied armies after the battle of the Alma
2. Importance of prompt advance after the victory
3. Advance on the Katcha
4. The design of operating against Sebastopol from the north
5. The allies ignorant of the enemy's movements
6. Lord Raglan's visit to St. Arnaud
7. Absence of interdependence among the hostile armies
8. Sebastopol on the day of the Alma
9. Power the Allies had of seizing the enemy's communications
10. Mentschikoff's distribution of the command at Sebastopol
11. Inquiry suggested by the condition of the town at the end of September
12. Help available to the besiegers from the presence of the fleet
13. Disposition of the Allied armies
14. The landing of the siege-trains
15. Desire that the fleets should take part in the attack
16. The fate of Sebastopol was for some hours in suspense
17. Conditions favourable to the prospects of the garrison
Appendix.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]