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BOOKS
The Gurkhas: 200 Years of Service to the Crown,
by Major-General J C
Lawrence CBE.
Craig Lawrence has written the official commemorative book of the Gurkha
Bicentenary. It is a handsome tome, interestingly structured, well written
and splendidly illustrated.
The book is very professionally and imaginatively put together and edited.
History inevitably has a linear quality which in a book of this sort can rob
familiar material of interest. Craig has cleverly countered this by breaking
up the nine chapters of historical narrative with ‘Special Interest Sections’
on topics such as the kukri, bagpipes and tartan in the Brigade, bands and
paratroopers. He has also used contemporary photographs to give the
book a modern feel and reproductions of paintings and drawings to bring
alive episodes for which no photographs exist. This all results in structure
and content that makes for easy access and repays either concentrated
attention or piecemeal browsing. I strongly recommend it both as a
celebration of 200 years of proud history and as an inspiring and
interesting work in its own right.
In addition to commemorating the Bicentenary, the book is intended to
raise money for the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Copies cost £40 and can be
ordered from The Gurkha Museum, telephone 01962 842832, or from their
website
(www.thegurkhamuseum.co.uk).
NJHH
Arc of the Gurkha: From Nepal to the British Army,
by Alex Schlacher
The publication of
Arc of the Gurkha
on the eve of the 200th anniversary
celebrations of Gurkha service to the British Crown is serendipitous. There
will be many looking for a suitable souvenir to mark the occasion. Alex
Schlacher book provides a stunning photographic record of the
contemporary battle-tested Brigade.
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