Valentine Baker's Heroic Stand At Tashkessen 1877: A Tarnished British Soldier's Glorious Victory Hardcover – August 8, 2017

This is an impressive effort from a promising young military historian. This volume provides the "student' of 19th century military warfare an exotic locale combined with a sympathetic and heroic soldier-commander. One finds a campaign involving {excuse the historical cliche} the "Sick Man of Europe" and Russian Empire in 1877.Mr. Jastrzembski provides a well researched story replete with background of the "ancient enemies" citing their military organization and cultures,both strengths and weaknesses.Valentine Baker a dashing British cavalry officer fell victim to what currently might be termed a "me too" like charge. Victorian mores and values seemingly predetermined guilt. The author leaves one with a small measure of doubt as to the validity of this charge. Regardless, punishment was severe and stigma was carried through out Baker's career as a commanding officer.Refuge was found, as many have done since time immemorial, in foreign service. The Ottoman Empire had long been a destination for foreign military talent. Though the Sultan's service was rife with corruption and intrigue which permeated the upper officer class, the Turkish soldier was capable of admirable service when well led. Though Baker was not immediately used in a way that would display his talents, desperate circumstances in Ottoman Bulgaria wrought by a well led and formidable Russian army allowed opportunity for his valor and talent to shine. Such courage and valor was shown never more so than at a Bulgarian village called Tashkessen. Pasha Baker's doughty rear guard action at Tashkessen, captured the imagination of the British public,yet there continued to be those still unforgiving of the past. Frank Jastrzembski is persuasive in his presentation and conclusions.The writing style is colorful and not overbearing, however it does invoke pathos which I am certain is the intent.. There is a wonderful bibliography demonstrating his efforts. Maps are adequate.I do believe however that annotated footnotes would strengthen this recommended military tale.ps I am curious as to what the "opprobrious Turkish epithets" hurled by Baker at the fleeing Edirne battalion were..

Edited by Dan Zawacki!

This is the first opportunity I have had to study the battles of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877. I found this account to be interesting and I would recommend it to those reader's who are interested in the time period of the military activities of the war.

This was a great read. The author had a refreshing balance of technical military history of the Russo-Turkish war while giving interesting insight into the political and social atmosphere of Europe in the late 1800’s. I highly recommend!

Good quality dust jacket. Well put together, Frank does Baker some justice. Fast read.

This is a great read. I found it very well researched and detailed. Baker was someone that I knew of from his time in Egypt and of course his disgrace, but the author really fleshes him out for the reader and gives primary focus on a sadly forgotten part of his career in the Ottoman Army. It was fascinating to learn of this aspect of Baker's life and indeed the full picture of the aftermath of the incident that brought him down. Wonderful story that has not been told fully up to this point. I personally advanced my knowledge of the Russo-Turkish War, often obscured by more modern wars. Highly recommend this work.

A good read about a forgotten man fighting a forgotten war. I have a love of late 19th century warfare so already knew about Valentine Baker but not the details of his life so I was a sucker for this one. The first part of the book chronicles his early life and fall from grace. The next is his adventures in Turkey, with a detailed account of the battle. Followed by Egypt and his eventual death. The last part is an analysis of the actual battle comparing it to other rear guard actions in the 19th century. The book is an easy read for a general reader but has enough I think for the more “connoisseur” amongst us.It’s not a general history of the war however. Anyone looking for that should perhaps look at something like Quintin Barry’s War in the East, though that can be heavy going at times.