Looking for a suitable primer for the 2nd Afghan War?

[LordSpode1879]

Hi chaps (and you lady-chaps too), I'm looking for a recommendation for an introduction to the 2nd Afghan War? I've read bits a pieces....here and there as you do but now I'm seriously wanting to get some knowledge under my belt before my figure purchasing gets out of hand?

[LordSpode1879]

Thanking you in advance 

[Andrei1975]

My friend, what exactly do you want? I did not understand the question. Maybe it's a translation problem. More?

[Silent Invader]

Have a look at the Maiwand Day Blog by MadGuru (he's a member here) - lots of info

[axabrax]

The Road to Kabul by Brian Robson if you can find it

[Monty]

I'm not sure which kind of source you are looking for but I presented some of my sources here.

Cheers
Stefan

[LordSpode1879]

My friend, what exactly do you want? I did not understand the question. Maybe it's a translation problem. More?

Looking for a book that gives a good overview of the 2nd Anglo-Afghan war?

[LordSpode1879]

Have a look at the Maiwand Day Blog by MadGuru (he's a member here) - lots of info

Already a big fan I have to say 

[LordSpode1879]

The Road to Kabul by Brian Robson if you can find it

I'll have a search for it, thankyou

[LordSpode1879]

I'm not sure which kind of source you are looking for but I presented some of my sources here.

Cheers
Stefan

Excellent blog sir and I think Colonel Mike Snooke's book sounds useful?

[Mad Guru]

LordSpode1879,

I will second the recommendation of Brian Robson's "ROAD TO KABUL", which IMHO is the best one-volume history of the Second Afghan War.

I will also strongly support your own inclination to find, "INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH," by Colonel Mike Snook, which has a hefty and incredibly useful chapter on the battle of Maiwand, which includes the latest and most up-to-date information on the subject.

Still, I would also suggest considering finding a copy of Colonel Leigh Maxwell's, "MY GOD, MAIWAND!" first published back in 1979, but still a valuable source of information on the campaign that led to the battle, as well as the battle itself and its aftermath.

If you do proceed to raise miniature armies, the collection of Osprey books included in Stefan's excellent list of sources will be of invaluable use for uniform and equipment reference.

EDIT: and many thanks for your kind words about my blog -- and the same to Silent Invader for mentioning it!

[skirmisher]

Hi I found this 1880s book "Recent British Battles on Land and Sea" very atmospheric and informative for my recent forays in the Anglo-Zulu War and it covers a range of colonial campaigns:

https://archive.org/details/recentbritishba00grangoog

Also online newspapers of the time for period feel and extra details that dont make the history books.

[sjwalker51]

Unsurprisingly, Mad Guru has already given you the 3 best possible introductions to the war - can't go wrong with them.

Maybe add "Maiwand - The Last Stand of the 66th" (Stacpoole-Ryding) to the list for another take on the battle.

Not specifically about the 2nd War but the following are good for getting a feel for how Imperial forces fought:

"Lessons in Imperial Rule" (Skeen)
"Small Wars" (Calwell)
"Indian Frontier Warfare" (Younghusband)

And another one for whom MG's blog has been a source of great enjoyment and inspiration in recent years - many thanks Sir!

Simon