Gallipoli

 

By Alan Moorehead

4.5 Stars

Historical/Non-Fiction

Adult

I've read bits and pieces about Gallipoli in the past but never read such a detailed account. The author takes the reader from the beginning, telling how and why the plan was developed, through the entire campaign, the evacuation and finally talks about what came out of it all. One thing to note is that some of the letters between commanders are written in French and are not translated into English. That might be an annoyance for some readers. It didn't bother me because I had no trouble reading them.

The narrative was pretty dry at times, but to be complete, those details did need to be presented. It did impact the overall readability, but it didn't tempt me to put it down. I was frustrated with the incompetence of some of the leadership and the unbelievable episodes of blind, dumb bad luck. Some people think the campaign was cursed, and I'm not sure they're wrong. At the same time, I am deeply impressed by the bravery and the sheer tenacity of the men who fought and died.

In so many ways, Gallipoli was a complete waste. Both sides suffered horrible losses. Allied victory was several times so tantalizingly close. Victory there could have been the turning point of the war, but it wasn't. It could have changed history as we know it, but it didn't. I enjoyed the book and recommend it for anyone interested in the history surrounding this event.