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Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan

Description:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE 2013
'As taut and richly embroidered as a great novel . . . a masterpiece' Sunday Telegraph
'Dazzling' Sunday Times | 'Magnificent' Guardian | 'Sparkling' Daily Telegraph
A towering history of the first Afghan War by bestselling historian William Dalrymple.

In the spring of 1839, Britain invaded Afghanistan for the first time. Nearly 20,000 British and East India Company troops poured through the high mountain passes and re-established on the throne Shah Shuja ul-Mulk.

On the way in, the British faced little resistance. But after two years of occupation, the Afghan people rose in answer to the call for jihad and the country exploded into violent rebellion. The First Anglo-Afghan War ended in Britain's greatest military humiliation of the nineteenth century: an entire army of the then most powerful nation in the world ambushed in retreat and utterly routed by poorly equipped tribesmen.

Using a range of forgotten Afghan and Indian sources, William Dalrymple's masterful retelling of Britain's greatest imperial disaster is a powerful parable of colonial ambition and cultural collision, folly and hubris. Return of a King is history at its most urgent and important.

Read more

Review

This sorry saga has been recounted many times, but never that I can recall as well as by Dalrymple. He is a master story-teller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers -- Max Hastings ― Sunday Times

Enchantingly written . . . In Dalrymple's usual happy style of historical narrative, applied to a fascinating, neat and highly suggestive series of events, this long and involved book will be a great success, and bring the famous story to a large new audience -- Philip Hensher ― Spectator

Of the books swooped into being by his scholarship (to which he himself has applied the adjective "obsessive"), this one is the most magnificent . . . His account is so perceptive and so warmly humane that one is never tempted to break away . . . This book would be compulsive reading even if it were not a uniquely valuable history, which it is, because Dalrymple has uncovered sources never used before -- Diana Athill ― Guardian

Brilliant . . . Those who have read his White Mughals and The Last Mughal will know what to expect: a readable style, a deep humanity and, above all, an extraordinary skill in evoking the lost worlds of Mughals and Afghans . . . His pen-portraits are a masterpiece . . . Return of a King is much the fullest and most powerful description of the West's first encounter with Afghan society -- John Darwin ― New York Times

A major contribution to the historiography of south-west Asia and of the British empire . . . Return of a King will come to be seen as the definitive account of the first and most disastrous western attempt to invade Afghanistan. Dalrymple's afterword should be put on college syllabuses on both sides of the Atlantic -- Sherard Cowper-Coles ― New Statesman

Splendid and absorbing . . . William Dalrymple tells this tragic story with verve, skill, and - unexpectedly in the circumstances - some humor. Using unknown or underused sources from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he recounts the tale from both sides, shifting the scenes, using eyewitness accounts, quoting at length heroic epic poems . . . A fine book -- David Gilmour ― New York Review of Books

William Dalrymple is a master storyteller, who breathes such passion, vivacity and animation into the historical characters of the First Anglo-Afghan war of 1839-42 that at the end of this 567-page book you feel you have marched, fought, dined and plotted with them all: once I had finished I turned straight back to the beginning ― Independent

Brilliant . . . even 170 years later, the events described in Return of a King still have the power to shock - and so they should. It is to be hoped that any future British leader contemplating intervention in Afghanistan, or any other part of the Muslim world, will read Dalrymple's book ― Financial Times

Mr. Dalrymple's writing is sly, charming and clever. His histories read like novels . . . This latest book delights and shocks as he points the finger at both sides for their deceit treachery and cruelty . . . Magnificent ― Wall Street Journal

Definitive . . . Return of a King, like a great classical tragedy, grips the reader's attention from start to finish . . . not just a riveting account of one imperial disaster on the roof of the world; it teaches unforgettable lessons about the perils of neocolonial adventures everywhere -- Piers Brendan ― Literary Review

By turns epic, thrilling, suspenseful, and utterly appalling, at once deeply researched and beautifully paced, Return of a King should win every prize for which it's eligible ― Bookforum

Dazzling . . . Dalrymple is a master storyteller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers . . . Almost every page of Dalrymple's splendid narrative echoes with latter-day reverberations -- Max Hastings ― Sunday Times

Outstanding . . . Dalrymple has emerged as a superb historian of the British Raj . . . He excels at character, scene setting, and shifting between multiple points of view . . . His use of sources is stunning, particularly the trove of Persian-language material - epic poems, court histories and other accounts - he found in Kabul. No other western historian has given such a complete account of the other side ― National

William Dalrymple's phenomenal achievement is to combine a steady overview of his broad canvas with a magpie's eye for detail and a film-maker's sense of when to shift the mood and focus. His writing is ebullient, but his conclusion is timely and grave. Any attempt to subjugate Afghanistan must, as one witness of that first invasion noted, be 'temporary and transient and terminate in catastrophe' ― Intelligent Life

A powerful account of Britain's deluded occupation . . . A superlative achievement ― Scotland on Sunday

Dalrymple is something of a secret national treasure; a travel writer and narrative historian of Britain's relations with India . . . an enthralling, definitive account ― The Lady

Masterful . . . Dalrymple makes an important contribution by including recently discovered Afghan accounts of the war ― Washington Post

This hefty and extraordinary book may be [Dalrymple's] masterwork . . . Dalrymple's assiduous scholarship and travel-writer's ease with language makes this not only an incredibly well-researched book, but something of a page-turner ― Big Issue

This is vintage Dalrymple: warp-speed historical narrative, meticulously researched . . . My only regret reading this wonderful history is that it was not published a decade earlier ― Evening Standard

Dalrymple is a writer who can make the most recondite historical issues come alive and with each successive book he becomes a more entertaining and enlightening companion . . . Return of a King is simply quite brilliant -- Alexander McCall Smith ― New Statesman, Books of the Year

Probably the best known British historian of India . . . this is the book he was born to write ― Economist

Sensationally good . . . Dalrymple writes the kind of history few historians can match . . . Drawing on Afghan, Russian, and Indian sources, [Dalrymple] tells a truly epic story of imperial ambition and hubris with profound lessons for our own times . . . I doubt that I'll read a better written or more important history book all year ― Scotsman

Book Description

A towering history of the first Afghan War by bestselling historian William Dalrymple. Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, 2013

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the lessons of history

J.B. · 1 January 2014

This is a fantastic book in which William Dalrymple provides a gripping account of the first British invasion of Afghanistan in 1839 - `a war begun for no wise purpose' - and the subsequent catastrophic defeat and ignominious retreat from Kabul in 1842. A final chapter deals with the return of the relief force, the ruthlessly violent and destructive Army of Retribution, an army which, Dalrymple notes, "committed what today would be classified as war crimes".'Return of a King' is a catalogue of military incompetence, stupidity and treachery on a monumental scale, and the story is told in simple, yet very elegant, prose. Dalrymple is not just a great story teller; he also explains complex events in an exceptionally clear, vivid and engaging way. As the lengthy bibliography and 34 pages of endnotes indicate, this book is scholarly and based upon a huge amount of archival research which includes the examination of "hundreds of tattered letters and blood-stained diaries". Dalrymple makes excellent use of all these sources to show exactly what those on the spot were thinking about what was going on.If the lessons of history - in particular that "Afghanistan is no easy place to rule" - have still not been learnt, they are all too obvious in this study.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost Lessons of Truth Stranger than Fiction

A. · 8 April 2013

Fearing Russian designs on India in "The Great Game", the British tried to gain influence in the potential Achilles' heel of Afghanistan. Ignoring expert advice, they chose the wrong side in reinstating the honourable but hidebound Shah Shuja whom they imagined would be more malleable than the shrewd reigning monarch Dost Mohammed.If this regime change reminds you of more recent events, there are also parallels in the lack of strategic planning and a "longer view", and neglect of the topography, climate and culture of the area. In breathtaking arrogance admittedly combined with crazy courage, the first 1839 British invasion of Afghanistan set off in winter, ignoring the several feet of snow in the mountains, omitting to clear rough terrain for gun carriages or to protect themselves against ambush and constant sniping once they entered the narrow mountain passes. The problem was compounded by the thousands of camp followers, women and children with presumably no means of support if they stayed behind.If the detail is often overwhelming, the quirky truth which is stranger than fiction grips one's attention: three hundred camels needed to carry the military wine cellar whilst elsewhere troops could not advance owing to lack of camels to transport vital supplies. One regiment even brought its own foxhounds, which somehow survived to hunt jackals later!It is all the more poignant that, having reached Kabul after suffering terrible privations yet still gaining the upper hand, the army squandered its advantage under dithering leadership so that in the ill-advised, typically chaotic eventual retreat only one man made it back to Jalalabad, not counting the thousands left behind as captives.In what resembles an epic novel, Dalrymple describes how the British sent an Army of Retribution to salvage a little honour by taking brutal reprisals which would now be regarded as the most vicious war crimes, but in the end the government wrote off the vast sums spent on the unsuccessful regime change.Apart from the numerous astonishing anecdotes and vivid character studies, one of the most interesting aspects of the book is the extensive quoting from the colourful prose of the historians of the day: "Abdullah Khan Achakzsi.....launched an attack like a fierce lion or the serpent that inhabits the scented grass".Although Dalrymple supplies a list of all the main characters with accompanying explanations, I found this too indigestible as an opener, and recommend keeping your own notes of "who's who".My only criticism is the inadequate maps. Also, apart from the reduced weight, this is less suitable for a Kindle in that maps and family trees are illegible on the small screen, plus it's too fiddly checking out details from previous pages as is often necessary in this type of book. It's also harder to appreciate on the Kindle that the main text is shorter than it seems, the last 30 per cent of the book being notes.This is a fascinating account, although it focuses narrowly on 1839-42. For a wider sweep, try "Butcher and Bolt" by David Loyn.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written but odd

W.E.B. · 18 October 2013

William Dalrymple's new book is about the first Afghan War, a well known historical disaster that everyone who knows anything about South Asia knows the basic facts about, if not in any great detail.Dalrymple goes into enormous detail about the series of political and military disasters that led to the wiping out of a British army and the destruction of the puppet state they'd set up in Afghanistan.The problem is, and it is often a problem with Dalrymple's books, that he's far too sympathetic to the various monsters doing monstrous things on both sides. He's been accused of a form of neo-colonialism in the past and in this book, while it isn't as bad as in 'White Mughals', it's pretty clear that his sympathies lie with the Afghan Muslim traditionalists and assorted British public schoolboys involved playing lethal games with each other and he ignores almost everyone else involved.He also spends quite a lot of time trying to show how the First Afghan War is similar to the current mess in Afghanistan, a comparison that stretches even his considerable skills as a writer.This is a book worth reading, if only because he's managed to get hold of some of the original Afghan government records from the period that nobody else has but, as always with Dalrymple, you have to remember that the author has a very definite point of view.

Must read for politicians that advocate war in Afghanistan

U. · 2 October 2013

Better be kept on the shelf on display for ready reference. Just in case politicians of the future suggest to invade Afghanistan to establish whatever will be the reasoning for military intervention then.Some of the reasons and justifications given by the British imperialists at the middle of the 19th century sound very similar to what was said in the 21st.

The Afghan Chivalry

J. · 9 July 2024

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-1842 by William Dalrymple is a gripping and meticulously researched account of the First Anglo-Afghan War, a pivotal yet often overlooked episode in the history of Afghanistan and British imperialism.Historical NarrativeDalrymple chronicles the events leading up to the British invasion of Afghanistan in 1839 and the subsequent disastrous retreat in 1842. He draws on a wide array of primary sources, including diaries, letters, and official documents, to reconstruct the political intrigues, military campaigns, and cultural clashes that characterized this tumultuous period. His narrative provides a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of the complexities involved in British-Afghan relations during the 19th century.Characters and PerspectivesCentral to the book are the various key figures involved, including British political officers, Afghan rulers, tribal leaders, and ordinary soldiers. Dalrymple skillfully weaves together their perspectives, motivations, and actions, offering insights into their roles in shaping the course of the war. This multi-dimensional approach humanizes the historical narrative and enhances the reader's understanding of the individuals caught up in the conflict.Cultural and Political ContextDalrymple contextualizes the First Anglo-Afghan War within the broader geopolitical landscape of the time. He explores the British imperial ambitions in South Asia, the Great Game rivalry with Russia, and the intricate socio-cultural dynamics of Afghan society. His analysis sheds light on the complexities of foreign intervention and the challenges of governing a diverse and fiercely independent nation like Afghanistan.Military Campaigns and StrategiesThe book vividly describes the military campaigns, battles, and sieges that unfolded during the war. Dalrymple provides detailed accounts of the strategic decisions, tactical maneuvers, and battlefield engagements, illustrating the harsh realities faced by both British and Afghan forces. His narrative captures the brutality of warfare in rugged Afghan terrain and the human cost of imperial ambitions.Legacy and Reflection"Return of a King" also examines the lasting impact of the First Anglo-Afghan War on Afghanistan, Britain, and the wider region. Dalrymple reflects on the lessons learned from this historical episode, particularly in relation to the challenges of foreign intervention, nation-building, and the resilience of Afghan society. The book offers valuable insights into the complexities of modern Afghan history and its implications for contemporary geopolitics.Literary StyleDalrymple's writing is engaging and accessible, blending scholarly rigor with narrative flair. His ability to convey historical events with vivid detail and emotional resonance captivates readers, making the book both informative and compelling. The careful pacing and insightful analysis ensure that the complex narrative unfolds smoothly, keeping the reader invested from beginning to end.Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-1842 by William Dalrymple is a masterful historical account that brings to life the dramatic events of the First Anglo-Afghan War. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Dalrymple illuminates the complexities of imperial ambition, military strategy, and cultural exchange in 19th-century Afghanistan. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in Afghan history, British imperialism, and the enduring challenges of foreign intervention in the region.

Historic accuracy on Afghanistan

B. · 13 November 2024

The real history of Afghanistan is obscured by propaganda and the self interests of whatever the current political lens it. Dalrymple, stripes all that out and quite simply provides us with the history of Afghanistan and it's strategic position in britain's battle to safeguard their "empire" and the jewel in particular - India. An excellent read for anyone who has an interest in non partisan history.

Slow going

B.H. · 5 May 2013

William Dalrymple's THE RETURN OF A KING is about Afghanistan, which means it's about death in its most horrible forms. A mouth is stuffed with gunpowder and the head blown up; a Shah's eyes are pieced: the hot point of a needle `'quickly spilled the wine of his sight from the cup of his eyes;'' children are strapped to the mouth of a cannon and blasted away before their parents suffer the same fate; soldiers `'slice off the genitals of the fallen and place them in the corpses' mouths''; displeasure is shown by systematically cutting off servants' ears, noses and privates--but sparing their lives so that they can continue to serve; others are scalped. Afghans appreciated fruit, having 40 kinds of grapes, and other fruits, such as those described by the renowned poet Khushal Khan `'There is a boy across the river with a bottom like a peach/But alas! I cannot swim.'' The book concerns the placing of Shah Shuja on his throne. (Another excellent book on the same subject is Ben Macintyre's THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING.) The reading of Dalrymple's book goes slowly until around page 300 (no fault of Dalrymple's, it's just that the soldiers led incredibly boring lives, unable to function in the heat, pampered by innumerable servants) when all hell breaks out. Because of English arrogance, poor policy decisions and their turning Kabul into an open-air brothel, the Afghans finally rose up and slaughtered them, scenes involving children which had to be skipped over. Among Afghans themselves, the best policy seems to have always been to butcher one's enemy, Afghan or other, a policy taken for granted among their own but seemingly never understood by outsiders--today as yesteryear. Like a hornet's nest (or a warning not to touch a hot stove), they really should be left alone. My own books can be found on Bolo under Michael Hone.

Original print

M. · 12 December 2021

I liked its original print.

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Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan

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Visit the William Dalrymple (Author) Store

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan

Product ID: K1408831597
Condition: New

4.5

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan-0
Type: Paperback

AED9116

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE 2013
'As taut and richly embroidered as a great novel . . . a masterpiece' Sunday Telegraph
'Dazzling' Sunday Times | 'Magnificent' Guardian | 'Sparkling' Daily Telegraph
A towering history of the first Afghan War by bestselling historian William Dalrymple.

In the spring of 1839, Britain invaded Afghanistan for the first time. Nearly 20,000 British and East India Company troops poured through the high mountain passes and re-established on the throne Shah Shuja ul-Mulk.

On the way in, the British faced little resistance. But after two years of occupation, the Afghan people rose in answer to the call for jihad and the country exploded into violent rebellion. The First Anglo-Afghan War ended in Britain's greatest military humiliation of the nineteenth century: an entire army of the then most powerful nation in the world ambushed in retreat and utterly routed by poorly equipped tribesmen.

Using a range of forgotten Afghan and Indian sources, William Dalrymple's masterful retelling of Britain's greatest imperial disaster is a powerful parable of colonial ambition and cultural collision, folly and hubris. Return of a King is history at its most urgent and important.

Read more

Review

This sorry saga has been recounted many times, but never that I can recall as well as by Dalrymple. He is a master story-teller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers -- Max Hastings ― Sunday Times

Enchantingly written . . . In Dalrymple's usual happy style of historical narrative, applied to a fascinating, neat and highly suggestive series of events, this long and involved book will be a great success, and bring the famous story to a large new audience -- Philip Hensher ― Spectator

Of the books swooped into being by his scholarship (to which he himself has applied the adjective "obsessive"), this one is the most magnificent . . . His account is so perceptive and so warmly humane that one is never tempted to break away . . . This book would be compulsive reading even if it were not a uniquely valuable history, which it is, because Dalrymple has uncovered sources never used before -- Diana Athill ― Guardian

Brilliant . . . Those who have read his White Mughals and The Last Mughal will know what to expect: a readable style, a deep humanity and, above all, an extraordinary skill in evoking the lost worlds of Mughals and Afghans . . . His pen-portraits are a masterpiece . . . Return of a King is much the fullest and most powerful description of the West's first encounter with Afghan society -- John Darwin ― New York Times

A major contribution to the historiography of south-west Asia and of the British empire . . . Return of a King will come to be seen as the definitive account of the first and most disastrous western attempt to invade Afghanistan. Dalrymple's afterword should be put on college syllabuses on both sides of the Atlantic -- Sherard Cowper-Coles ― New Statesman

Splendid and absorbing . . . William Dalrymple tells this tragic story with verve, skill, and - unexpectedly in the circumstances - some humor. Using unknown or underused sources from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he recounts the tale from both sides, shifting the scenes, using eyewitness accounts, quoting at length heroic epic poems . . . A fine book -- David Gilmour ― New York Review of Books

William Dalrymple is a master storyteller, who breathes such passion, vivacity and animation into the historical characters of the First Anglo-Afghan war of 1839-42 that at the end of this 567-page book you feel you have marched, fought, dined and plotted with them all: once I had finished I turned straight back to the beginning ― Independent

Brilliant . . . even 170 years later, the events described in Return of a King still have the power to shock - and so they should. It is to be hoped that any future British leader contemplating intervention in Afghanistan, or any other part of the Muslim world, will read Dalrymple's book ― Financial Times

Mr. Dalrymple's writing is sly, charming and clever. His histories read like novels . . . This latest book delights and shocks as he points the finger at both sides for their deceit treachery and cruelty . . . Magnificent ― Wall Street Journal

Definitive . . . Return of a King, like a great classical tragedy, grips the reader's attention from start to finish . . . not just a riveting account of one imperial disaster on the roof of the world; it teaches unforgettable lessons about the perils of neocolonial adventures everywhere -- Piers Brendan ― Literary Review

By turns epic, thrilling, suspenseful, and utterly appalling, at once deeply researched and beautifully paced, Return of a King should win every prize for which it's eligible ― Bookforum

Dazzling . . . Dalrymple is a master storyteller, whose special gift lies in the use of indigenous sources, so often neglected by imperial chroniclers . . . Almost every page of Dalrymple's splendid narrative echoes with latter-day reverberations -- Max Hastings ― Sunday Times

Outstanding . . . Dalrymple has emerged as a superb historian of the British Raj . . . He excels at character, scene setting, and shifting between multiple points of view . . . His use of sources is stunning, particularly the trove of Persian-language material - epic poems, court histories and other accounts - he found in Kabul. No other western historian has given such a complete account of the other side ― National

William Dalrymple's phenomenal achievement is to combine a steady overview of his broad canvas with a magpie's eye for detail and a film-maker's sense of when to shift the mood and focus. His writing is ebullient, but his conclusion is timely and grave. Any attempt to subjugate Afghanistan must, as one witness of that first invasion noted, be 'temporary and transient and terminate in catastrophe' ― Intelligent Life

A powerful account of Britain's deluded occupation . . . A superlative achievement ― Scotland on Sunday

Dalrymple is something of a secret national treasure; a travel writer and narrative historian of Britain's relations with India . . . an enthralling, definitive account ― The Lady

Masterful . . . Dalrymple makes an important contribution by including recently discovered Afghan accounts of the war ― Washington Post

This hefty and extraordinary book may be [Dalrymple's] masterwork . . . Dalrymple's assiduous scholarship and travel-writer's ease with language makes this not only an incredibly well-researched book, but something of a page-turner ― Big Issue

This is vintage Dalrymple: warp-speed historical narrative, meticulously researched . . . My only regret reading this wonderful history is that it was not published a decade earlier ― Evening Standard

Dalrymple is a writer who can make the most recondite historical issues come alive and with each successive book he becomes a more entertaining and enlightening companion . . . Return of a King is simply quite brilliant -- Alexander McCall Smith ― New Statesman, Books of the Year

Probably the best known British historian of India . . . this is the book he was born to write ― Economist

Sensationally good . . . Dalrymple writes the kind of history few historians can match . . . Drawing on Afghan, Russian, and Indian sources, [Dalrymple] tells a truly epic story of imperial ambition and hubris with profound lessons for our own times . . . I doubt that I'll read a better written or more important history book all year ― Scotsman

Book Description

A towering history of the first Afghan War by bestselling historian William Dalrymple. Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, 2013

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the lessons of history

J.B. · 1 January 2014

This is a fantastic book in which William Dalrymple provides a gripping account of the first British invasion of Afghanistan in 1839 - `a war begun for no wise purpose' - and the subsequent catastrophic defeat and ignominious retreat from Kabul in 1842. A final chapter deals with the return of the relief force, the ruthlessly violent and destructive Army of Retribution, an army which, Dalrymple notes, "committed what today would be classified as war crimes".'Return of a King' is a catalogue of military incompetence, stupidity and treachery on a monumental scale, and the story is told in simple, yet very elegant, prose. Dalrymple is not just a great story teller; he also explains complex events in an exceptionally clear, vivid and engaging way. As the lengthy bibliography and 34 pages of endnotes indicate, this book is scholarly and based upon a huge amount of archival research which includes the examination of "hundreds of tattered letters and blood-stained diaries". Dalrymple makes excellent use of all these sources to show exactly what those on the spot were thinking about what was going on.If the lessons of history - in particular that "Afghanistan is no easy place to rule" - have still not been learnt, they are all too obvious in this study.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost Lessons of Truth Stranger than Fiction

A. · 8 April 2013

Fearing Russian designs on India in "The Great Game", the British tried to gain influence in the potential Achilles' heel of Afghanistan. Ignoring expert advice, they chose the wrong side in reinstating the honourable but hidebound Shah Shuja whom they imagined would be more malleable than the shrewd reigning monarch Dost Mohammed.If this regime change reminds you of more recent events, there are also parallels in the lack of strategic planning and a "longer view", and neglect of the topography, climate and culture of the area. In breathtaking arrogance admittedly combined with crazy courage, the first 1839 British invasion of Afghanistan set off in winter, ignoring the several feet of snow in the mountains, omitting to clear rough terrain for gun carriages or to protect themselves against ambush and constant sniping once they entered the narrow mountain passes. The problem was compounded by the thousands of camp followers, women and children with presumably no means of support if they stayed behind.If the detail is often overwhelming, the quirky truth which is stranger than fiction grips one's attention: three hundred camels needed to carry the military wine cellar whilst elsewhere troops could not advance owing to lack of camels to transport vital supplies. One regiment even brought its own foxhounds, which somehow survived to hunt jackals later!It is all the more poignant that, having reached Kabul after suffering terrible privations yet still gaining the upper hand, the army squandered its advantage under dithering leadership so that in the ill-advised, typically chaotic eventual retreat only one man made it back to Jalalabad, not counting the thousands left behind as captives.In what resembles an epic novel, Dalrymple describes how the British sent an Army of Retribution to salvage a little honour by taking brutal reprisals which would now be regarded as the most vicious war crimes, but in the end the government wrote off the vast sums spent on the unsuccessful regime change.Apart from the numerous astonishing anecdotes and vivid character studies, one of the most interesting aspects of the book is the extensive quoting from the colourful prose of the historians of the day: "Abdullah Khan Achakzsi.....launched an attack like a fierce lion or the serpent that inhabits the scented grass".Although Dalrymple supplies a list of all the main characters with accompanying explanations, I found this too indigestible as an opener, and recommend keeping your own notes of "who's who".My only criticism is the inadequate maps. Also, apart from the reduced weight, this is less suitable for a Kindle in that maps and family trees are illegible on the small screen, plus it's too fiddly checking out details from previous pages as is often necessary in this type of book. It's also harder to appreciate on the Kindle that the main text is shorter than it seems, the last 30 per cent of the book being notes.This is a fascinating account, although it focuses narrowly on 1839-42. For a wider sweep, try "Butcher and Bolt" by David Loyn.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written but odd

W.E.B. · 18 October 2013

William Dalrymple's new book is about the first Afghan War, a well known historical disaster that everyone who knows anything about South Asia knows the basic facts about, if not in any great detail.Dalrymple goes into enormous detail about the series of political and military disasters that led to the wiping out of a British army and the destruction of the puppet state they'd set up in Afghanistan.The problem is, and it is often a problem with Dalrymple's books, that he's far too sympathetic to the various monsters doing monstrous things on both sides. He's been accused of a form of neo-colonialism in the past and in this book, while it isn't as bad as in 'White Mughals', it's pretty clear that his sympathies lie with the Afghan Muslim traditionalists and assorted British public schoolboys involved playing lethal games with each other and he ignores almost everyone else involved.He also spends quite a lot of time trying to show how the First Afghan War is similar to the current mess in Afghanistan, a comparison that stretches even his considerable skills as a writer.This is a book worth reading, if only because he's managed to get hold of some of the original Afghan government records from the period that nobody else has but, as always with Dalrymple, you have to remember that the author has a very definite point of view.

Must read for politicians that advocate war in Afghanistan

U. · 2 October 2013

Better be kept on the shelf on display for ready reference. Just in case politicians of the future suggest to invade Afghanistan to establish whatever will be the reasoning for military intervention then.Some of the reasons and justifications given by the British imperialists at the middle of the 19th century sound very similar to what was said in the 21st.

The Afghan Chivalry

J. · 9 July 2024

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-1842 by William Dalrymple is a gripping and meticulously researched account of the First Anglo-Afghan War, a pivotal yet often overlooked episode in the history of Afghanistan and British imperialism.Historical NarrativeDalrymple chronicles the events leading up to the British invasion of Afghanistan in 1839 and the subsequent disastrous retreat in 1842. He draws on a wide array of primary sources, including diaries, letters, and official documents, to reconstruct the political intrigues, military campaigns, and cultural clashes that characterized this tumultuous period. His narrative provides a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of the complexities involved in British-Afghan relations during the 19th century.Characters and PerspectivesCentral to the book are the various key figures involved, including British political officers, Afghan rulers, tribal leaders, and ordinary soldiers. Dalrymple skillfully weaves together their perspectives, motivations, and actions, offering insights into their roles in shaping the course of the war. This multi-dimensional approach humanizes the historical narrative and enhances the reader's understanding of the individuals caught up in the conflict.Cultural and Political ContextDalrymple contextualizes the First Anglo-Afghan War within the broader geopolitical landscape of the time. He explores the British imperial ambitions in South Asia, the Great Game rivalry with Russia, and the intricate socio-cultural dynamics of Afghan society. His analysis sheds light on the complexities of foreign intervention and the challenges of governing a diverse and fiercely independent nation like Afghanistan.Military Campaigns and StrategiesThe book vividly describes the military campaigns, battles, and sieges that unfolded during the war. Dalrymple provides detailed accounts of the strategic decisions, tactical maneuvers, and battlefield engagements, illustrating the harsh realities faced by both British and Afghan forces. His narrative captures the brutality of warfare in rugged Afghan terrain and the human cost of imperial ambitions.Legacy and Reflection"Return of a King" also examines the lasting impact of the First Anglo-Afghan War on Afghanistan, Britain, and the wider region. Dalrymple reflects on the lessons learned from this historical episode, particularly in relation to the challenges of foreign intervention, nation-building, and the resilience of Afghan society. The book offers valuable insights into the complexities of modern Afghan history and its implications for contemporary geopolitics.Literary StyleDalrymple's writing is engaging and accessible, blending scholarly rigor with narrative flair. His ability to convey historical events with vivid detail and emotional resonance captivates readers, making the book both informative and compelling. The careful pacing and insightful analysis ensure that the complex narrative unfolds smoothly, keeping the reader invested from beginning to end.Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-1842 by William Dalrymple is a masterful historical account that brings to life the dramatic events of the First Anglo-Afghan War. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Dalrymple illuminates the complexities of imperial ambition, military strategy, and cultural exchange in 19th-century Afghanistan. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in Afghan history, British imperialism, and the enduring challenges of foreign intervention in the region.

Historic accuracy on Afghanistan

B. · 13 November 2024

The real history of Afghanistan is obscured by propaganda and the self interests of whatever the current political lens it. Dalrymple, stripes all that out and quite simply provides us with the history of Afghanistan and it's strategic position in britain's battle to safeguard their "empire" and the jewel in particular - India. An excellent read for anyone who has an interest in non partisan history.

Slow going

B.H. · 5 May 2013

William Dalrymple's THE RETURN OF A KING is about Afghanistan, which means it's about death in its most horrible forms. A mouth is stuffed with gunpowder and the head blown up; a Shah's eyes are pieced: the hot point of a needle `'quickly spilled the wine of his sight from the cup of his eyes;'' children are strapped to the mouth of a cannon and blasted away before their parents suffer the same fate; soldiers `'slice off the genitals of the fallen and place them in the corpses' mouths''; displeasure is shown by systematically cutting off servants' ears, noses and privates--but sparing their lives so that they can continue to serve; others are scalped. Afghans appreciated fruit, having 40 kinds of grapes, and other fruits, such as those described by the renowned poet Khushal Khan `'There is a boy across the river with a bottom like a peach/But alas! I cannot swim.'' The book concerns the placing of Shah Shuja on his throne. (Another excellent book on the same subject is Ben Macintyre's THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING.) The reading of Dalrymple's book goes slowly until around page 300 (no fault of Dalrymple's, it's just that the soldiers led incredibly boring lives, unable to function in the heat, pampered by innumerable servants) when all hell breaks out. Because of English arrogance, poor policy decisions and their turning Kabul into an open-air brothel, the Afghans finally rose up and slaughtered them, scenes involving children which had to be skipped over. Among Afghans themselves, the best policy seems to have always been to butcher one's enemy, Afghan or other, a policy taken for granted among their own but seemingly never understood by outsiders--today as yesteryear. Like a hornet's nest (or a warning not to touch a hot stove), they really should be left alone. My own books can be found on Bolo under Michael Hone.

Original print

M. · 12 December 2021

I liked its original print.

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