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Gallipoli Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 265 ratings

'The scene was tragically macabre: the image of desolation, the flames spared nothing. As for our young men, a few minutes ago, so alert, so self-confident, all now lying dead on the bare deck, blackened burned skeletons, twisted in all directions, no trace of any clothing, the fire having devoured all.' Vice Admiral P. E. Guéprette recalls the damage to the French ship Suffen during a naval battle in 1915.

One of the most famous battles in history, Gallipoli forced Churchill from office, established Turkey's iconic founder Mustafa Kemal ('Ataturk') and marked Australia's emergence as a nation in its own right. It had begun as a bold move led by the British to ultimately capture Constantinople, but this definitive new history explains that from the initial landings - which ended with so much blood in the sea it could be seen from aircraft overhead - to the desperate attacks of early summer and the battle of attrition that followed, it was a lunacy that was never going to succeed.

Drawing on unpublished personal accounts by individuals at all levels and from all sides - not only from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, but unusually from Turkey and France too - Peter Hart combines his trademark eye for vivid personal stories with a strong narrative to bring a modern view of this military disaster to a popular audience.

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Product description

Review

A supremely effective attack ― Mail on Sunday

An excellently readable account ―
FT

A perceptive and refreshingly candid study of a doomed campaign. The author skilfully combines a crisp, compelling and highly readable narrative with succinct and objective analysis...The master of popular military history has done it again -- Peter Simkins

[A] stirring account -- Richard Fitzpatrick ―
Irish Examiner

A marvelous, ghastly book ―
The Economist

Superb... a serious and important work on Gallipoli. It is researched in fine detail and written in Peter Hart's increasingly excellent style. If you are interested in this campaign, or the Great War, or just appreciate a well written book, then this is for you. -- David McLoughlin ―
Press Association

An impressive and timely reminder of the futility of war. -- Alex Miller ―
Morning Star

About the Author

Peter Hart is the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum and has written several titles on the First World War. His latest books for Profile are Gallipoli, The Great War andVoices from the Front.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004HZYBBS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Profile Books; Main edition (3 Feb. 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 561 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 265 ratings

About the author

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Peter Hart
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Peter Hart worked as the Oral Historian of the Imperial War Museum from 1981-2020. He is the author of several military history books on the First & Second World Wars. His latest books are: 'Footsloggers: An Infantry Battalion at War, 1939-45'; 'Burning Steel; A Tank Regiment at War, 1939-45.' and, co-authored with Gary Bain, 'Laugh or Cry: The British Soldier on the Western Front, 1914-1918'

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
265 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and detailed. They describe it as an absorbing and enjoyable read that covers the history of the campaign from various perspectives.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

19 customers mention ‘Writing quality’19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing quality good. They describe it as a detailed and intelligent account of the campaign, covering all aspects. The book is well-researched and includes first-hand accounts. Readers appreciate the author's direct analysis of the conflict and his use of anecdotes from men who were there.

"Peter Hart will always remain on my book self. The way he tells a story is unique – I love hearing the events through the eyes of the ordinary..." Read more

"A brilliant read about a campaign which was a mitigated failure in WW1" Read more

"...It’s a big book, written in typical Peter Hart style – lots of anecdotes from men who were there interspersed through a comprehensive history of the..." Read more

"...Very detailed, the closest historical book I have read to be this detailed was A Bridge too Far by Cornelius Ryan...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Readability’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable. They describe it as an engaging read that is easy to follow without having to research specific soldiers or battalions.

"...books – although sometimes very big and heavy (600 pages) – a real joy to read. Hence I have most of his concerning the First World War...." Read more

"...All in all, excluding the index, an excellent book." Read more

"...Superb book, which exposes many of the myths of the Gallipoli campaign, e.g. it was an entirely ANZAC affair, which must surely come as good news to..." Read more

"I have in the past read a few of Peter hart books and found them very interesting and this book also...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘History’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's history. They find it interesting and well-written, covering the campaign from all sides.

"...ANZACs forging a new nation (or two), this is a history of a campaign from all points of view – the more numerous French, British and Turks all have..." Read more

"So much history but also great detail" Read more

"An interesting and well written account of the campaign. It would have been improved if it had some more maps" Read more

"Very well written and historically well researched and doesn't concern itself with icon building or perpetrating myth.Thought provoking and enjoyable." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2016
    Peter Hart will always remain on my book self. The way he tells a story is unique – I love hearing the events through the eyes of the ordinary soldier as well as their officers. Unlike so many others who try this technique Peter gets it right every time – all in a consistent and chronologic manner which makes his books – although sometimes very big and heavy (600 pages) – a real joy to read. Hence I have most of his concerning the First World War.
    For those like myself who have all of his available books at present a few other similar authors are –
    For the ease reading the book without researching certain soldiers/battalions etc., don’t get me wrong - there are soldier and battalion details in them but it is the story of events which is concentrated on -
    Peter Liddle, Max Marix Evans, Gary Sheffield, and Malcolm Brown along with some of Andrew Rawson’s books.
    For researching soldiers positions as well as an easy read etc. –
    Ray Westlake; Andrew Rawson & Stuart Hadaway
    They are my favourite authors at present besides those actually written as people’s memories i.e. Richard Van Emden & Max Arthur - Then of course there is Neil R. Storey and his books on the Norfolk Regiment and Norfolk during the First World War which are invaluable for research purposes.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 April 2024
    A brilliant read about a campaign which was a mitigated failure in WW1
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2015
    Gallipolli – Peter Hart
    All books on Gallipoli should come with a government health warning “Not to be read by those with high blood pressure!”
    I have read a few books on the topic and find them all difficult, I read a chapter and have to put the book down and fume for a while at the incompetence and pointlessness of it all. A campaign that should never have happened; was based on an illusionary vision of some magic victory; was undertaken with a woeful disregard for the obvious; and, worst of all, was run by leaders who seemed determined not to learn a single lesson from past failures. If you don’t know what I’m on about then you need to read this book!
    It’s a big book, written in typical Peter Hart style – lots of anecdotes from men who were there interspersed through a comprehensive history of the ill-fated campaign written in an approachable style. This is not another book about the brave ANZACs forging a new nation (or two), this is a history of a campaign from all points of view – the more numerous French, British and Turks all have their say alongside the wild colonials. If it has a fault it is that there could be more from the French and Turkish angles.
    Highly recommended.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2016
    An excellent book, very detailed. Others have complained about the maps and difficulty in referring back to them but most historical books have this problem. Indeed other than having detachable maps this is unavoidable. The index however is poor as many references from the book are missing. However this is a relatively minor if a bit annoying problem, simply compounded by the detail of the narrative. I especially liked the fact that there are also accounts of the Turkish side, which we rarely get here. Also the fact that it details all the armies participating rather than the usual Anzac fighting for which the Gallipoli campaign is popularly known. Very detailed, the closest historical book I have read to be this detailed was A Bridge too Far by Cornelius Ryan. All in all, excluding the index, an excellent book.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 April 2011
    Peter Hart's extensive use of primary source material make this an invaluable assessment of the Gallipoli conflict. Excerpts from the letters & diaries of participants from all sides provide a vivid insight into their lives. However, his revisionism becomes repetitive. Additionally, some of his judgements about indivuduals arguably are arguably lacking in fairness, For example, his criticism of Lt.Col.White's leadership of the suicidal assault on the Nek (pp.314) neglects the imperative of duty & the willingness to lead from the front which was characteristic of many - if not most - British officers.
    Despite my objections I remain a fan of Peter Hart's work, primarily because of his judicious use of primary sources & the "feel" he has for the lives of soldiers. This book is well worth the investment - it's just a little heavy on easy hindsight.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2021
    I can read fact or fiction but I have a large cache of factual ww1 books and I like to read them
    the book was of good quality no writing inside and I enjoed it
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2014
    Not a book for anyone new to the subject which goes into minute detail and becomes bogged down in certain places. Hart's trenchant style became grating after a while. As mentioned previously when going into such detail good maps are essential and these where not overly informative.

    The book is incredibly well researched and uses first hand accounts extensively. However, i felt the book was too long and the sledge hammer style detracts from the a worthwhile addition to the Gallipoli campaign.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2016
    This was the first of Hart's books that I read, but on the strength of that I quickly bought the rest! Superb book, which exposes many of the myths of the Gallipoli campaign, e.g. it was an entirely ANZAC affair, which must surely come as good news to those whose family was involved.

    I cannot recommend this book highly enough
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Student
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rigor histórico y absolutamente bien escrito
    Reviewed in Spain on 7 April 2024
    Peter Hart ha hecho un trabajo extraordinario. Recomiendo totalmente este libro, que ha requerido al autor un inmenso trabajo de investigación.
    Todos sabemos que es fácil invitar a gente a comer con el dinero de otros. También es muy fácil provocar guerras cuando los que sufren y mueren son otros. Es absolutamente triste y lamentable cómo a lo largo de la Historia con mucha frecuencia una cantidad pequeña de personas provoca la muerte de cientos de miles de personas, e incluso de millones, como es el caso de las Guerras Napoleónicas y de las dos guerras mundiales. Éste es sin duda el mayor fracaso de la Humanidad.
  • Satya B.
    2.0 out of 5 stars Very ordinary
    Reviewed in India on 18 March 2021
    Some facts put together without any sequence
  • Peter D. Couch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Military History at its Best
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 October 2011
    Peter Hart has written what must rank as the best history of Gallipoli thus far. What I found most refreshing about this book was his willingness to express opinions clearly based on his interpretations of the facts and the actions of those involved. Many historians and particularly miltary historians fall prey to the tendancy to adopt the middle ground and provide "unbiased" analysis which often excuses even the most blantant ineptitude. Not so Mr. Hart. He positively impales the almost complete lack of realistic strategic analysis leading to the decision to first launch a naval attack on the Dardanelles and then to commit troops to the Gallipoli Peninsula and then turns his attention to the ineptitude of the operational and tactical planning prior to the landings. He then further examines the actions of the senior and mid-level officers who led the assault and these are in the main found wanting. Conversely he is unstinting in his praise for those unfortunate enough, the junior officers and other ranks, to find themselves fighting the battle, whether on the side of Britain and its allies or on the Turkish side. The highlighting of each nation's contribution to the battle is important. While the sacrifice of the British and ANZACs is well known, the actions and bravery of the French have been, perhaps, less acknowledged. As indeed is the toughness and effectiveness of Turkish troops.

    His use of quotes from those involved is excellent and it is by reading the words of those caught up in the fighting that one realizes how awful a battle this was, whether to be in the gun turret of a dreadnought hit by a Turkish shell or to find oneself in a trench waiting for the signal to "go over the top". Coupled with his own excellent writing style and the use of Turkish sources that have been lacking from earlier works on this battle this provides the reader with a fast moving, almost novel-like view of the campaign.

    One of the best military histories I have read recently. Highly recommended.
  • Rainmaker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sad
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 June 2024
    Over 300,000 men die for nothing. Very well written.
  • Retired Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Turkish Delight
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 February 2012
    This book provides a fascinating account of one of the more pointless exercises in WWI, the Franco-British effort to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and force the Dardanelle Straits. The strategic goal of this effort was to force Turkey, one of the Central Powers, from the war thus removing the threat posed by Turkey to the Suez Canal and UK and French interests in general in the Near East. Winston Churchill, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty appears to have first conceived of capturing Gallipoli and the principal force behind getting the British War Cabinet to approve the venture.

    The author of this book, Peter Hart, makes his viewpoint clear by characterizing the idea as an "idiocy generated by muddled thinking." Although he considers the whole venture doomed from the start that does not prevent him from providing a gripping and probably accurate account of the entire Gallipoli Campaign.

    Reading his account of this Campaign one is reminded of an earlier and equally pointless Franco-British effort, the Crimean War some sixty years before. As in the Crimea the Gallipoli Campaign was hampered from the first by poor planning and intelligence. The commanding officer General Sir Ian Hamilton never seemed to develop a sense of either the terrain over which his troops were attempting to fight or of the logistical requirements an of an army on a hostile shore. Like his predecessor, Lord Raglan, General Hamilton appeared to assume that the toughness, courage, and endurance of his troops would make up for everything. As a result the British and French forces suffered appalling losses and unnecessary privations, yet still managed to successfully disengage in the end and escape the horrors of Gallipoli. Hart also notes that General Hamilton and indeed the entire British High Command continually underestimated and denigrated the Turkish Army opposing them. He gives the Turks credit for fighting with courage, tenacity, and skill and in the end out fighting their opponents. Gallipoli was only a footnote to the First World War, but contains useful lessons even today.

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