Nick Thomas’ Into the Valley of Death weaves together firsthand accounts to provide a detailed telling of the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava. While this battle is likely fami- liar to many because of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” Thomas’ book provides a riveting retelling of the fateful charge. Thomas puts the reader on the ground and in the action by telling the story with the words of the men who rode into that valley Oct. 25, 1854.
Into the Valley of Death centers on the events of the charge itself. Thomas opens with a brief overview of the Crimean War as well as the initial engagements between British and Russian forces. From there, Thomas quickly moves into the personal accounts of the charge. Readers move across the Valley of Death with the Light Brigade and charge headlong into the Russian guns. Thomas captures the con- fusion and disintegration of the brigade as the cavalrymen fight to secure the guns and are ultimately forced to retreat to British lines.
Thomas closes the main body of his work by providing some conclusion to critical debates surrounding the Charge of the Light Brigade. His conclusions focus on the role of key players. He strives to high- light the confusion in orders between Field Marshal FitzRoy Somerset (1st Baron Raglan), the commander of British forces, and the commander of the cavalry, Field Marshal George Bingham (3rd Earl Lucan). Thomas also examines the poor working relationship between Lord Lucan and Lieutenant-General James Brudenell (7th Earl Cardigan), the commander of the Light Brigade. Lastly, Thomas looks at the often-debated impact of Captain Edward Nolan, the aide-de-camp who carried the orders that led to the ill-fated charge.
Cavalry at Balaclava ........
by Nick Thomas; Havertown, PA:
Pen and Sword Books; 2021; 357 pages, including appendices, endnotes, bibliography and index; $42.95 (hardcover).
Beyond the narrative that Thomas con- structed, Into the Valley of Death also provides multiple appendices that provide the reader with more detail. The appen- dices include the citations for medals received during the charge, full person- al accounts and tables that account for each rider that took part in the charge. These appendices demonstrate the lengths Thomas went to build a narra- tive based upon firsthand accounts.
By far the greatest aspect of Into the Valley of Death is that it is built upon the firsthand accounts of the men who fought in the battle. Thomas laces together multiple perspectives so that the reader is fully emersed in the events. The reader feels the tension build as the brigade moves across the valley. The accounts capture the terror as man and horse are cut down by the Russian guns. Thomas’ extensive use of these personal accounts truly brings the charge to life and provides readers with an accurate understanding of it. As mentioned previously, the author also includes an entire appendix dedicated to the full accounts of key personnel which provide the reader with further insight in the charge.
Readers should be aware that Into the Valley of Death only provides a brief overview of the events leading up to the
Into the Valley of Death: The Light
charge. While it is helpful, it is likely not enough for readers unfamiliar with the Crimean War. Readers may find them- selves overwhelmed by the speed with which events are covered in the overview. It will likely require readers to do more research outside the book to gain a solid understanding of the circumstances sur- rounding the battle itself. Further to this point, it would have been very beneficial for the book to include some maps to assist with the reader’s understanding of the terrain and physical locations of critical events.
Into the Valley of Death is a worthwhile addition to any professional library. Al- though readers may need to research additional context to support their situ- ational understanding, the telling of the charge itself is truly captivating. The per- sonal accounts put the reader in the charge and among the guns. If a reader is looking for a work outside their normal reads, consider Into the Valley of Death to learn more about one of the most famous cavalry charges in history from the men who were there.
MAJ BRYCE W. EAST
54
CAVALRY & ARMOR JOURNAL Fall 2024
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