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Letters from Mafeking (Hardback)

Eyewitness Accounts from the Longest Siege of the South African War

Military > Frontline Books

By Edward Spiers
Frontline Books
Pages: 222
Illustrations: 16
ISBN: 9781526710024
Published: 14th January 2019
Last Released: 9th April 2019

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Mafeking was the longest and the most controversial of the three sieges that began the South African War in 1899. Lasting 217 days, the Siege of Mafeking brought a highly charismatic leader to public attention and involved some controversial practices.

While of little military significance, the relief of Mafeking produced unprecedented celebrations across Britain and much of its empire. Sustained over several days, such rejoicings led to the creation the verb to maffick, meaning to celebrate both extravagantly and publicly. Such rejoicing reflected not only the build up of emotions during the South African War, but also how Mafeking revived memories of imperial siege histories over the previous fifty years.

In this illuminating account of the siege and its aftermath, Edward M. Spiers, a leading authority on Victorian military history, provides fresh insights on the conduct of the siege and its relief. He draws new material from some 120 letters, diary extracts, interviews, and speeches by soldiers and civilians – all uncensored, unlike the press reporting from Mafeking. He rebalances arguments about the command of Baden-Powell, reviews civil-military relations within Mafeking, examines the impact, both physical and psychological, of the most intensive shelling of the war, and accounts for the successful defence and relief of a small, isolated frontier town, bereft of natural defences and effective artillery.

As featured by

Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine issue 243

As featured by

The Armourer, August 2019

Featured as prize in competition

24seven lifestyle, July 2019

This is an interesting book as it sheds new light on the siege, there is plenty of detail on the siege and there is much for the war gamer in it. It is certainly worth a read to balance out the older, better known, works on the war.

See full review here

Wargames Illustrated, July 2019

An illuminating account of the siege and its aftermath. - Highly Recommended

Read the full review here

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