"Clive Ponting" Topic

Has anyone read his book on the Crimean War? The Truth Behind the Myth. Is it worth a read?

Thanks,

Pete

Just finished reading The Reason Why recently. Very good book imo. At the end of chapter 12 there's a mention that Lord Cardigan wasn't at the charge at Balaclava. First I've heard of that. Just a myth or is there more to it. I'm curious now.

That's interesting about Cardigan. I have not heard it before. I think it was probably a contemporary calumny against him. There are so many stories about his participation, not all of them complimentary that I think he must have been there.

Most accounts that I have read confirm that he was there and lead the charge. It was after he reached the guns that he seemed to vanish from the battle prompting allegations that he had deserted his men.

I think, that even reading his own account, you could accuse him of riding off. There was no rallying the Brigade and leading it back to safety like a Kellerman or a Paget. After his encounter with the Cossacks he rode back through the battery claiming to have seen no one. Indeed, one of his questions when he got back was 'Has anyone seen my regiment?' He was an arse, but a brave one!

I liked his WW1 book, so would be willing to give his Crimean War book a try.

I own a copy of the book and found it to be a very engaging book to read, and thoroughly enjoyed it.