Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Profile Books (3 Feb 2011)
ISBN-10: 1846681596
ISBN-13: 978-1846681592
‘Gallipoli' by Peter Hart is one of the most refreshing books written about this, seen by many as the most misguided campaign of the Great War. In his inimitable way he covers the Campaign with clear insight and a clarity that informs the reader on all aspects of this tragic conflict. Many reviewers of Hart's work feel ‘Gallipoli' is now one of his best works.
This is Peter Hart's second look at Gallipoli with his first book ‘Defeat at Gallipoli' being well acclaimed by the critics. One could be concerned that ‘Gallipoli' could be a reworking of this previous book. However this is definitely not the case with this book, something which cannot be said about some other well known Great War authors. Peter Hart has reviewed the whole conflict in a new light especially with the access he has to oral history. It has been 16 years since his last book on the subject and in this period of time numerous other sources of material about Gallipoli have come to light much of which he has viewed whilst writing this book.
There is no doubt that Peter Hart leads the revisionist authors when looking at the Great War. He is not afraid to lay bare the ‘Myths and Legends' that surround this tumultuous period of world history. In Gallipoli he rightly points out that the ANZACs although important in the conflict play a smaller role than the French and the British. He also pays a much needed respect to the Turkish forces who were defending their homeland against the arrogant allied powers. The book clearly shows that we not only had some ‘Donkey Headed' Generals, but also many ‘Donkey Headed' Politicians. It is made very clear in this book that the arrogance of the British Empire was very much alive and well within the British political class. We basically expected ‘Johnny Turk' to roll over and let us occupy his lands just because we were British! Peter Hart doesn't let this issue fall from the reader's mind. He also rightly highlights the fact that the Turks roundly and soundly defeated us through good staff work, and more importantly the sheer bravery of the Turkish soldier. Many previous histories have all too often missed this important fact.
`Gallipoli' is another fitting tribute by Peter Hart to the generation that fought the Great War whether they were British, French, ANZAC or Turkish. This book should grace the shelves of all serious scholars of the Great War. More importantly for the first time reader on the subject, this book will provide them with the correct political/military aspects of the conflict in a most eminently readable and informative manner.
Reviewed by Martin Hornby, WFA Deputy Chairman
