Retreat from Kabul: The Catastrophic British Defeat in Afghanistan, 1842

Using letters and journals, McRory recreated a gripping account of the “First Afghan War,” which ended when the British fled in defeat, at the cost of 16,000 lives, slaughtered by Afghans in one week. In 1842 Britain still controlled India, and sought to prevent the encroachment of Russians or Persians by installing a collaborating king on the Afghan throne. The British authorities were murdered, angry mobs rode through Kabul, forcing 16,000 British soldiers and ex-patriots to flee (including many women and children). Only one survived the ninety mile trek to a safe garrison.

This is a devastating tale of how the world’s greatest military power learned unimaginable lessons about the iron resistance of Afghanistan to foreign occupants. It has a faint echo of familiarity and timelessness, in a world that is once again familiar with the determination of Afghan autonomy. Unavailable for several years, this is now the only edition available of RETREAT FROM KABUL.