Amedeo: The True Story of an Italians War in Abyssinia

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A love story set in Abyssinia, Eritrea and the Yemen. This is the story of Amedeo Guillet - an Italian calvary officer who was sent out to Abyssinia as part of Mussolini's army to establish and command a troupe of 2000 Spahis - or Arabic calvary. He met and fell in love with Khadija - a beautiful Ethiopian Muslim who became his constant companion during the early years of World War II. And she had stayed with him right to the end, when he had only a ragged band of followers who alone were fighting on against the British as guerilla fighters after the rest of the army had surrendered. Together they held up the British lorries heaving up the mountain road to Asmara and blew up the important Ponte Aosta. She had always been at his side, until the day a British captain had recognized Amedeo and opened fire with a machine-gun. Amedeo goes on the run, disguised as an Arab. He scrapes a living selling water and hiding from the British before escaping across the Red Sea on a pirate ship. The pirates discover he is a Christian and dump him in the desert. He eventually makes it to the Yemen, only to be thrown in jail. This is a stunning story, beautifully told by O'Kelly.

Reviews

'Sebastian O'Kelly has found a story so extraordinary and moving that it seems inevitable it will end up as a film. Think The English Patient crossed with Captain Corelli's Mandolin and you will get some idea of the epic sweep, rich detail and sheer romance of Amedeo.' Kathryn Hughes, Mail on Sunday 'Amedeo Guillet was a young aristocratic cavalry officer who would not give up. In 1941 he led what was to be the last cavalry charge of the war against a battalion of British tanks. When the Italians surrendered, he did not. With a motley band of Eritrean and Arab irregulars, including his gun-slinging Ethiopian paramour, Amedeo fought on... The politics and passions of the time, the pity and pathos of war, the love and the loss all rise from the pages.' Ross Leckie, The Times 'Amedeo Guillet is a legendary figure, a model of almost mythical status... His has been a long, adventurous life, filled with heroic deeds and guided by a sense of personal honour and patriotic service... This book has confirmed the details of an extraordinary life and justified the honoured place Amedeo has always occupied in my imagination.' Giovanni Agnelli A riveting biography of an old-style cavalry officer who became one of Italy's most decorated officers. Horses, sabres, women and sheer courage against the backcloth of the hard-fought battle for Abyssinia, an episode of the Second World War which contradicts many assumptions about Italian military performance.' Richard Holmes 'This thrilling story recalls bygone tales of personal gallantry and chivalry between foes, and of a chevalier sans peur et sans reproche.' Lady Mary Soames 'This is a story that has it all: war and extraordinary courage, excitement and danger in exotic locations in a historical context now almost forgotten, an intense and magical love affair and the pain of separation.' Martin Booth, Sunday Times 'This book lays to rest the Italian reputation for military incompetence and lack of valour. Instead, we can only marvel at the bravery of Amedeo... Sebastian O'Kelly is to be congratulated on unearthing a remarkable story in a field where one would scarcely have believed there to be any more to add.' Simon Nixon, Literary Review

Author Bio

Sebastian OKelly is a journalist for the Telegraph and Mail on Sunday. He is an expert on horses. This is his first book.