The British love affair with the Gurkhas began during the early nineteenth century clash of the expanding English East India Company and Nepalese hillmen. The remarkable fighting abilities of the Nepalese contrasted against the most incredible British ineptitude. But on both sides, the war was harder fought than either the Afghan War or even the struggle with the Sikhs. And on both sides, the most colourful characters were involved ? such as the drinker, dicer, duelist Rollo Gillespie or the diminutive, truculent, conceited Irish aristocrat' Ney. In the end, the British wrested key hill tracts from the Gurkhas. As Sir David Ochterlony ? was poised to attack Kathmandu, the Gurkhas prudently made peace which maintained their kingdom as an independent state. John Pemble's account is a comprehensive history of the conflict, detailing the origins of the war, the consequences of strategic errors, and the enduring impact of the final victory. Even before the campaign had finished, the nucleus of the Gurkha Brigade had joined the East India Company's Forces. This is a thrilling telling of a little-known war. John Pemble has fully authenticated his work from original sources and on-the-spot research, all presented in a lively, and engaging style. AUTHOR: John Pemble is a Senior Research Fellow at Bristol University. He has published a wide range of books and articles and won the 1987 Wolfson Prize for the Mediterranean Passion. John spent almost forty years serving in Asia, the majority with the Gurkhas. He has lived in Nepal for over twenty years and published many books on Nepalese history. REVIEW: A book which will surely become the standard accounts of this particular episode in British military history' ? The Times Literary Supplement It is to be hoped that the numerous, indefatigable chronicles of Britian's military campaigns will henceforth take Dr Pemble as their model' ? Brian Bond 8 pages of plates
