Churchill's First War: Young Winston and the Fight Against the Taliban

(, Unabridged edition)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Over a century ago, a young cavalry lieutenant wrote a riveting account of what he saw during his first major campaign, a vicious war against tribal insurgents on the North-West Frontier. Winston Churchill's The Story of the Malakand Field Force, published in 1898, made his reputation as a writer - and as a soldier. More than 120 years later it is still reading for military commanders on the ground, both British and American. Now, acclaimed author and foreign correspondent Con Coughlin tells the story of that campaign, combining colourful historical narrative, interviews with contemporary key players and the journalist's eye for both a good story and deep analysis. Churchill's First War is not only a dramatic and vivid piece of military history but affords us a rare insight into both the nineteenth-century 'Great Game' and the twenty-first century conflict that has now raged longer than the Second World War and taken more lives than the Falklands.

Reviews

Vividly captures Churchills absolute single-mindedness. Spectator

Persuasively written and well-balanced in its emphasis, it provides an intriguing introduction to the present crisis in Afghanistan through the exploits of the regions most famous combatant Sunday Times

As Con Coughlin reveals in an intriguing and exciting study, the story of Churchills tussles with the ancestors of todays Taliban is one of high adventure Scotsman

Author Bio

Con Coughlin is the executive foreign editor of the Daily Telegraph and a world-renowned expert on the Middle East. He is the critically-acclaimed author of several books, including the international bestseller, Saddam: His Secret Life. He appears regularly on television and radio in Britain and America to comment on international security issues. He appears regularly on television and radio in Britain and America to comment on international security issues.