Who Killed Kitchener?: The Life and Death of Britain's Most Famous War Minister

In June 1916, HMS Hampshire, carrying Field Marshal Lord Kitchener on a secret mission to Russia, sank after a huge explosion. Only twelve people survived. Kitchener was considered Britain's greatest military hero, but his star was in decline due to his controversial personality and perceived arrogance. After his death, rumors of a conspiracy began to circulate, with various suspects being pointed at. Former Cabinet minister David Laws unravels the true story behind the demise of Kitchener, debunking conspiracy theories and revealing the government's and military's attempts to cover up their mistakes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 20 March 2019
Publisher: Biteback Publishing

In June 1916, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener embarked on a covert mission to support the Russian war effort from Orkney. Just a mile off the coast and amidst a force 9 gale, HMS Hampshire experienced a catastrophic explosion, sinking in less than fifteen minutes. The crew and passengers totaled 749, with only twelve survivors. Kitchener's body was never recovered. Today, he is remembered as the iconic figure behind the renowned First World War recruitment drive, celebrated as Britain's greatest military hero since Wellington. However, by 1916, Kitchener's star was on the decline. A controversial figure who struggled to forge friendships within the Cabinet, he was perceived by many as arrogant, secretive, and high-handed. As soon as his death was announced, rumors of a conspiracy began to circulate, with fingers pointed at various culprits, including the Bolsheviks, Irish nationalist saboteurs, and even the British government. Using newly released files that had been kept secret for nearly a century, former Cabinet minister David Laws unravels the true story behind Kitchener's demise, debunking conspiracy theories and exposing the critical mistakes that the government and military attempted to cover up. The result is the definitive account of an event that shook the nation and has remained shrouded in mystery ever since.

In June 1916, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener embarked on a covert mission to support the Russian war effort from Orkney. Just a mile off the coast and amidst a force 9 gale, HMS Hampshire experienced a catastrophic explosion, sinking in less than fifteen minutes. The crew and passengers totaled 749, with only twelve survivors. Kitchener's body was never recovered. Today, he is remembered as the iconic figure behind the renowned First World War recruitment drive, celebrated as Britain's greatest military hero since Wellington. However, by 1916, Kitchener's star was on the decline. A controversial figure who struggled to forge friendships within the Cabinet, he was perceived by many as arrogant, secretive, and high-handed. As soon as his death was announced, rumors of a conspiracy began to circulate, with fingers pointed at various culprits, including the Bolsheviks, Irish nationalist saboteurs, and even the British government. Using newly released files that had been kept secret for nearly a century, former Cabinet minister David Laws unravels the true story behind Kitchener's demise, debunking conspiracy theories and exposing the critical mistakes that the government and military attempted to cover up. The result is the definitive account of an event that shook the nation and has remained shrouded in mystery ever since.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 240 x 166 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785902376