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Crimea
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 20 hrs and 38 mins
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Crimea
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Summary
The terrible conflict that dominated the mid-19th century, the Crimean War, killed at least 800,000 men and pitted Russia against a formidable coalition of Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire. It was a war for territory, provoked by fear that if the Ottoman Empire were to collapse then Russia could control a huge swathe of land from the Balkans to the Persian Gulf. But it was also a war of religion, driven by a fervent, populist and ever more ferocious belief by the Tsar and his ministers that it was Russia's task to rule all Orthodox Christians and control the Holy Land.
Orlando Figes' major new book reimagines this extraordinary war, in which the stakes could not have been higher and which was fought with a terrible mixture of ferocity and incompetence. It was both a recognisably modern conflict - the first to be extensively photographed, the first to employ the telegraph, the first 'newspaper war' - and a traditional one, with illiterate soldiers, amateur officers and huge casualties caused by disease. Drawing on a huge range of fascinating sources, Figes also gives the lived experience of the war, from that of the ordinary British soldier in his snow-filled trench to the haunted, gloomy, narrow figure of Tsar Nicholas himself as he vows to take on the whole world in his hunt for religious salvation.
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What listeners say about Crimea
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tammy
- 19-12-22
Everything You need to know
From knowing nothing I now have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Crimean War.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rob Beresford
- 16-07-22
Brilliantly read.
An enthralling saga. Anyone wishing to learn more of this war, this is a MUST
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-10-23
Compelling and detailed
An outstanding and necessary history; it's vibrant, personal and has remarkable depth. It covers the breadth of Russian and European history with equal attention to detail as it does the lives of the ordinary soldier. A genuine must-read for any history fan.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 04-05-22
Great quotes
I'm not going lie this was hard work, but so worth it. The snippets of quotes from newspapers, letters home or tourists at the time are effortlessly dropped into the story. His research must have been emence. I listened to the book on many bike rides, I am fitter with better knowledge from Tennyson to crossing a red line. Next up War & Peace for me!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Shaughan Rick
- 07-03-24
A thorough, and refreshingly impartial retelling of the Crimean War
A very thorough and detailed history of the build up to the conflict, following through with the battles, strategy and fallout. It would be interesting to have a modern addendum that covered Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, as the book’s original publication predates that event.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- N. Flynn
- 17-10-18
Sheds light on a very misunderstood war
Interesting to find out about a war that episodes of which are still resonent in today's world. Russia may lost the war, but they won the peace (primarily due to complacency of the allies apparently).
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8 people found this helpful
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- Fizzgig
- 11-10-20
Excellent
This is an amazing peace of European History that should never be forgotten. Simply brilliant.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Neil Green
- 07-12-20
Good history of the war.
The suffering of the ordinary soldiers and the indifference and lack of awareness of those in charge is amazing. Well narrated book with the final two chapters about the effects of the war on the countries participating. This is the second book I have listened to by Orlando Figes and he appears a good writer and historian,
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- neil
- 14-01-22
heading which it says is optional but isn't.
Really enjoyed this. An excellent no nonsense historical analysis looking at all aspects of the war from all sides. I have really learned a lot about a war that receives little coverage but was very significant.
I read a couple of other reviews and their following criticisms were correct. The timelines were not always clear. Also the Baltic was ignored although this was part of the Crimean war.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- steve
- 24-12-23
Superb story telling
The flow of information with political, military and the human experience encompassed in skilful measure pays the appropriate recognition to the subject matter. Thoroughly engaging from page 1 onwards.
The current context of how Crimea is viewed by Russia and ya place in wider historical context is an education. I cannot recommend this masterpiece enough.
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