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Victoria's Enemies: An A-Z of British Colonial Warfare
Victoria's Enemies An A-Z of British Colonial Warfare Author:Donald Featherstone During the sixty-four years that Queen Victoria sat on the throne of Great Britian (1837-1901), her soldiers fought in more than 60 wars and campaigns. In battles and skirmishes that were vicious and bloody they fought bravely in all five continents of the world, against innumerable foes of varying religions, nationalities, races and tribe... more »s; losing only one war, to the Boers in 1881. There were few war-free years during Victoria's reign, and ten of thousands of British soldiers and native foes fought and died without knowing the reason why. The British believed that Empire was their destiny. To those who fought against that destiny in defence of their country or lands, Britain's armies were unpredictable intruders, armed with fearsome weapons against which courage seemed to count for little.
The weapons, fighting styles, dress and equipment of the varied foes of the Victorian solider as used in the wars, campaigns and battles of this period are accurately and colorfully described by Donald Featherstone in this book and given immediacy by over ninety illustrations that stimulated the Victorian public at that time.
Rather than a depressing story of colonial 'pacification', this is a relentless, developing saga of conflict between brave men of many races and religions marked by a consistent thread -- almost with exception throughout three-score years, all those involved on both sides displayed a tenacious courage, dignity and pride.« less