CRIMEAN WAR

The First VCs - The Stories behind the First Victoria Crosses of the Crimean War and the Definition of Courage, John Grehan. Combines a history of the earliest winners of the Victoria Cross with a history of the foundation of the medal itself, all taking place against the background of the Crimean War. Looks at the sort of deeds that were felt to be worthy of reward when the first Victoria Crosses were awarded after the end of the war, as well as the debate that led to the creation of the award in the first place [read full review]

The Crimean War at Sea, Peter Duckers. Best known for the campaign in the Crimea and the long siege of Sebastopol, the Crimean War also involved some extensive (if somewhat one-sided) naval warfare, with British and French warships attacking the Russian Empire all around its coast, from the White Sea in the far north to the distance Pacific coast. All of these far flung activities feature in this book. [read full review]

Raglan: From the Peninsula to the Crimea, John Sweetman. A deservedly lengthy biography of Lord Raglan, most famous as the British commander in the Crimea and for his role in the Charge of the Light Brigade, but also a Peninsular War veteran and close associate of the Duke of Wellington, and a rather more successful commander than is generally realised. [read full review]

The Crimean War, John Sweetman, Osprey, 2001, 96 pages. A good introduction to the events of the Crimean War, if perhaps a little too focused on the British view of the war. [see more]

Battles of the Crimean War, W. Baring-Pemberton, Macmillan, 1968, 256 pages. One of the best military histories of the Crimean War, with good accounts of all the major battles, well supported by quotes from the combatants. [see more]

ffrench Blake, R L V. The Crimean War, Sphere Books, London, 1973.

Glover, Michael. Warfare from Waterloo to Mons, Guild Publishing, London, 1980

A Cavalryman in the Crimea: The Letters of Temple Godman, 5th Dragoon Guards, Philip Warner. A collection of fascinating letters written by Godman when he was a young cavalry officer serving in the Crimea, and that provide a very different view of life in the Crimea and the fighting at Balaclava and around Sebastopol. [read full review]

Balaclava 1854, Osprey Publishing, London, 1990, Campaign No. 6, John Sweetman

Adkin, Mark. The Charge, Pimlico, London, 2000, 304pp. A modern account of the charge, taking into account recent discoveries and explorations of the battlefield.

Woodham-Smith, Cecil, The Reason Why, Penguin, 1991, 288pp. A classic study of the charge of the light brigade, concentrating on the key officers responsible for the charge, the system that put them in place, and the resulting reforms in the training of British army officers.

Barthorp, Michael, Heroes of the Crimea, Balaclava and Inkerman, Blandford, 1992, 160 pages. A book that brings together the two battles of Balaclava and Inkerman, seperated by less than two weeks in 1854