Warriors in Scarlet: the Life and Times of the Last Redcoats

Ian Knight's Warriors in Scarlet is a comprehensive and stirring history of the Victorian army between 1837 and 1860, offering a true flair for storytelling and a deep understanding of his subject. Knight reveals the brutal reality of colonial conflict from both sides, drawing on first-hand accounts to showcase the experiences of British soldiers. He vividly recreates the action on the ground, from bloody skirmishes to siege warfare, and describes how the army won more than four-fifths of the battles it fought in this era. By 1860, the British army was a more professional, efficient, and ruthless fighting force. Highly recommended.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2024
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Ian Knight's "Warriors in Scarlet" is a comprehensive and captivating history of the Victorian army between 1837 and 1860, encompassing the Battle of Bossendon Wood to the Crimean War. Knight, an acclaimed military historian, delves into the brutal reality of colonial conflict from both sides, drawing on first-hand accounts to provide a vivid portrayal of the British soldier's experience. The book vividly recreates the action on the ground, from bloody skirmishes in Southern Africa and siege warfare in New Zealand to disasters like the 1842 retreat from Kabul and Chillianwalla in the Punjab. Despite facing warriors with different skills, the British army won more than four-fifths of the battles it fought in this era. By 1860, with their redcoats increasingly replaced by khaki, the army had become a more professional, efficient, and ruthless fighting force. Knight's analysis is impressively researched and highly readable, making it a valuable addition to the study of Victorian military history.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 196 x 128 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447223535