Customer Reviews

The Battle of Dorking: Reminiscences of a Volunteer (Dodo Press)

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In 1870, the Prussian Army overwhelmed the French Army in a series of land-battles, defeated the nation, and forced it to pay heavy reparations. A Lieutenant-Colonel in British Army, George Tomkyns Chesney (1830-95), became alarmed at what he perceived to be Britain's lack of preparation to defend itself in a war with Prussia, and decided to issue a wakeup call. He wrote a short story that told the story of an Anglo-Prussian War, in which an ill-prepared Britain suffered catastrophic defeat. When the story appeared in Blackwoods Magazine it became wildly popular, and was reprinted a number of times.

I must say that I found this to be a rather entertaining book. It is notable for its founding of the "Invasion Literature" genre, and for its obvious influence on H.G. Wells' outstanding book, The War of the Worlds. But, beyond that, it is an entertaining read. I found the story to be well written and the action quite interesting. Indeed, in many ways, this is perhaps one of the first "alternative history" books ever written.

I did enjoy this short book, and think that you will as well.