"There are moments in the past of many a man's career that stand out clear and defined after the lapse of even many years: life pictures, the very memory of which brings back a glorious thrill of pride and pleasure. This is the feeling which vibrates through me still, when I recall that last and closing scene that crowned the hard-fought fight at Tashkessen." -Valentine Baker, War in Bulgaria.
History has best remembered Valentine Baker for his embarrassments. In 1875, he was accused of sexual assault and dismissed from the British Army. In 1884, he suffered an embarrassing defeat at the Battle of El Teb. But what about Baker's positive achievements?
The most underappreciated event that took place in his controversial life came during the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. The exiled Baker, in command of 3,000 Ottoman soldiers, was dispatched to the village of Tashkessen to stall 25,000 advancing Russian soldiers. Through his superb leadership and brilliant disposition of his troops, Baker was able to score a victory.
The Spartan stand of Baker and his command has gained little recognition. Despite this modern obscurity, Baker's performance at Tashkessen was applauded by his contemporaries as a model of tactical leadership and heroism. This is the exhiliarating tale of how Valentine Baker was able to find redemption at Tashkessen.
"This is an impressive effort from a promising young military historian."
-Amazon review
"This is a great read. I found it very well researched and detailed. Baker was someone that I knew of from his time in Egypt and of course his disgrace, but the author really fleshes him out for the reader and gives primary focus on a sadly forgotten part of his career in the Ottoman Army. It was fascinating to learn of this aspect of Baker's life and indeed the full picture of the aftermath of the incident that brought him down. Wonderful story that has not been told fully up to this point. I personally advanced my knowledge of the Russo-Turkish War, often obscured by more modern wars. Highly recommend this work."
-Amazon review
"This is a brilliant book, well researched and written, throwing light on a subject that deserves more attention. Not just the fascinating story of Valentine Baker, but also the role of rearguard actions in warfare. Tashkessen is indeed a model to be studied. Highly recommended."
-Dave Watson of Balkan Wargamer (link)
"I thought that I knew quite a bit about Valentine Baker...but this book proves how wrong I was!...I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in nineteenth century history in general, and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 in particular. It will also appeal to wargamers and those with an interest in the men who served Victoria's Empire both in and outside her armed forces. I look forward to reading Frank Jastrzembski's future books with great anticipation."
-Robert (Bob) Cordery of Wargaming Miscellany (link)
"The author has crafted an absorbing tale which is supported by some interesting images. Not a story to miss."
-Dr. Roger T. Stearn in Soldiers of the Queen
"In sum this is a fast paced, well researched, and thought provoking book about war, tactics, and a man seeking redemption. What begins as an almost Flashman like story turns into the vindication of a tarnished and forgotten soldier and opens a window on a fascinating and tragic conflict. Though unlike Harry Flashman, Val Baker had much worse luck, except at Tashkessen."
-Josh Provan of Adventures in Historyland (link)
"This book attempts to do three things. Firstly rehabilitate the reputation of Valentine Baker, secondly raise awareness of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and finally prove that the rearguard action at Tashkessen is an outstanding example of military leadership in the field. It is to the author's credit that he succeeds across the board."
-Phil Curme of Walking the Battlefields
"Frank Jastrzembski's book is a well organised book...The author does go on to provide some interesting rearguard battles in the final chapter to compare the Tashkessen action with. I found this a very interesting and innovative touch. I suppose it helped to turn the book from one about a single individual in a single battle in a single war into a much wider military context about this particular style of battle. Tellingly, the author alludes to the Spartan stand of Thermopylae and it seems as it the Battle of Tashkessen does indeed deserve to be held in such illustrious company. I for one am certainly glad that I now know about this battle and thank the author for bringing it back to the attention of a modern audience."
-Stephen Luscombe of The British Empire (link)
History has best remembered Valentine Baker for his embarrassments. In 1875, he was accused of sexual assault and dismissed from the British Army. In 1884, he suffered an embarrassing defeat at the Battle of El Teb. But what about Baker's positive achievements?
The most underappreciated event that took place in his controversial life came during the Russo-Turkish War in 1877. The exiled Baker, in command of 3,000 Ottoman soldiers, was dispatched to the village of Tashkessen to stall 25,000 advancing Russian soldiers. Through his superb leadership and brilliant disposition of his troops, Baker was able to score a victory.
The Spartan stand of Baker and his command has gained little recognition. Despite this modern obscurity, Baker's performance at Tashkessen was applauded by his contemporaries as a model of tactical leadership and heroism. This is the exhiliarating tale of how Valentine Baker was able to find redemption at Tashkessen.
"This is an impressive effort from a promising young military historian."
-Amazon review
"This is a great read. I found it very well researched and detailed. Baker was someone that I knew of from his time in Egypt and of course his disgrace, but the author really fleshes him out for the reader and gives primary focus on a sadly forgotten part of his career in the Ottoman Army. It was fascinating to learn of this aspect of Baker's life and indeed the full picture of the aftermath of the incident that brought him down. Wonderful story that has not been told fully up to this point. I personally advanced my knowledge of the Russo-Turkish War, often obscured by more modern wars. Highly recommend this work."
-Amazon review
"This is a brilliant book, well researched and written, throwing light on a subject that deserves more attention. Not just the fascinating story of Valentine Baker, but also the role of rearguard actions in warfare. Tashkessen is indeed a model to be studied. Highly recommended."
-Dave Watson of Balkan Wargamer (link)
"I thought that I knew quite a bit about Valentine Baker...but this book proves how wrong I was!...I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in nineteenth century history in general, and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 in particular. It will also appeal to wargamers and those with an interest in the men who served Victoria's Empire both in and outside her armed forces. I look forward to reading Frank Jastrzembski's future books with great anticipation."
-Robert (Bob) Cordery of Wargaming Miscellany (link)
"The author has crafted an absorbing tale which is supported by some interesting images. Not a story to miss."
-Dr. Roger T. Stearn in Soldiers of the Queen
"In sum this is a fast paced, well researched, and thought provoking book about war, tactics, and a man seeking redemption. What begins as an almost Flashman like story turns into the vindication of a tarnished and forgotten soldier and opens a window on a fascinating and tragic conflict. Though unlike Harry Flashman, Val Baker had much worse luck, except at Tashkessen."
-Josh Provan of Adventures in Historyland (link)
"This book attempts to do three things. Firstly rehabilitate the reputation of Valentine Baker, secondly raise awareness of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and finally prove that the rearguard action at Tashkessen is an outstanding example of military leadership in the field. It is to the author's credit that he succeeds across the board."
-Phil Curme of Walking the Battlefields
"Frank Jastrzembski's book is a well organised book...The author does go on to provide some interesting rearguard battles in the final chapter to compare the Tashkessen action with. I found this a very interesting and innovative touch. I suppose it helped to turn the book from one about a single individual in a single battle in a single war into a much wider military context about this particular style of battle. Tellingly, the author alludes to the Spartan stand of Thermopylae and it seems as it the Battle of Tashkessen does indeed deserve to be held in such illustrious company. I for one am certainly glad that I now know about this battle and thank the author for bringing it back to the attention of a modern audience."
-Stephen Luscombe of The British Empire (link)
