The Gurkhas [Paperback]

Byron Farwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1990

"Filled with interesting and often highly entertaining historical anecdotes, and there are some rare photographs and illustrations. . . . Lucid, well written. . . . A very sound contribution to our understanding of British Empire and South Asian history."—Choice

This book will tell who the Gurkhas are and where they come from. It will describe their manners, customs, and character, and their history as soldiers, with special attention to their unique skills and remarkable valor. Their story is as colorful and as romantic as that of the French Foreign Legion, and yet it has never been fully or adequately told.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

During the Second World War, Byron Farwell (1921–1999) served as a captain of engineers attached to the Mediterranean Allied Air Force in the British Eighth Army area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 17, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039330714X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393307146
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Educational, August 29, 1999

By 

Sean M. Doyle ([e-mail]) (Miami, Fl , United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gurkhas (Paperback)

This book was well written and very informative in all areas pertaining to those durable soldiers, the Gurkhas. I couldn't put it down and was so enthralled with it that I had to take off from a day of work to finish it. This book has taught me of a warrior tradition I only knew from conversations. It has inspired me to find out more and more of this story. A must read for any military enthusiast

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Ayo Gurkhali!" The Gurkhas are Coming!, April 28, 2004

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gurkhas (Paperback)

This is another splendid book by Farwell. Over the years he has written many books chronicling the life of the British soldier and his many gallent campaigns in the days when the sun never set on the Union Jack. The Gurkhas have established themselves as one of the world's elite fighting forces, and justly so. Farwell does a nice job telling their story from their beginnings in 1815 when the British first encountered these redoubtable hillmen as enemies. Over the decades they steadily gained the trust and respect of all who commanded them in India. Their exploits during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 firmly endeared their trust to the British who were justly weary of the loyalty of any native troops after the attrocities committed by seapoys in that rebellion.

The Gurkhas identified themselves as Rifles, or Light Infantry and assumed many of the traditions of the Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets. This includes the fast 140 pace, the green hued uniforms, the use of bugles and the like. This is also seen in the style of performance in the band of the Brigade of Gurkhas who perform in their own unique style at Tattoos with fast paced marching and music. Past association with Scottish regiments resulted in another carry over tradition, the inclusion of pipes in all regimental music. Again, the Gurkhas have developed their own keen style of piping, including many traditional Napalese tunes as well as Scots pipe music. Too bad Farwell did not touch a little more on these interesting traditions which make the Gurkhas quite unique.

Sadly in todays much reduced British army all of the Gurkha regiments have been reduced to one, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, with a paltry two battalions. Farwell's book is as much social history as well as military anedotes. This is a standard feature of many of his works. Since the book was written back in the 1980s it does not reflect any of the recent conflicts and peace keeping missions which the Gurkhas have been involved with, nor their current force reductions. Still an entertaining and informative book nonetheless.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine account of these brave soldiers., June 12, 2000

By 

Bob Jarvis - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gurkhas (Paperback)

The rousing history of the Ghurkas & their wonderful achievements are meat & drink for an author like Farwell & he certainly doesn't disappoint here. Good mix of general military history together with plenty of first hand, personal accounts of Ghurka bravery & quirkiness. These are a special people & this is a fascinating story of how their 200+ years of loyal service to the British Crown's Armed Forces came about &, sadly, ended on pretty poor terms. Recommended!