John Adye (1819–1900)

I enjoy reading the memoirs of the Victorian and Edwardian-era general officers from Britain. The range and scope of expeditionary actions that they were involved with was incredible, and this book is no exception. Adye, who had a great career spanning decades gives us some up close perspective on the Crimean Campaign, as well as the Indian Mutiny and Afghan campaigns, all of which he was intimately involved with. As usual with these types of memoirs, there is the "name-dropping" so that you are certain to know what circles he ran in. But the writing is very easy to read, and not as choppy with digressions as others of this type. It is interesting to note his personal thoughts on intervening in Afghanistan, where he thought it was a fool's errand to subjugate and occupy the tribes that were best of left alone (his words which i am paraphrasing.) Adye was also involved in the early military expedtions to Bhutan (Bootan), and ended his career as Miltiary Governor of Gibraltar, and has some interesting perspectives that remain true to today.… (more)