The Great Game: On Secret Service in High Asia - Softcover

Hopkirk, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0719564476 ISBN 13: 9780719564475

Publisher: John Murray, 2006

Synopsis

For nearly a century the two most powerful nations on earth, Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia, fought a secret war in the lonely passes and deserts of Central Asia. Those engaged in this shadowy struggle called it 'The Great Game', a phrase immortalized by Kipling. When play first began the two rival empires lay nearly 2,000 miles apart. By the end, some Russian outposts were within 20 miles of India. This classic book tells the story of the Great Game through the exploits of the young officers, both British and Russian, who risked their lives playing it. Disguised as holy men or native horse-traders, they mapped secret passes, gathered intelligence and sought the allegiance of powerful khans. Some never returned. The violent repercussions of the Great Game are still convulsing Central Asia today.

About this title

Review:

'Brilliant' (Patrick Leigh Fermor, Daily Telegraph)

'There can be few more fascinating subjects, or few authors better qualified to write about it' (Fitzroy Maclean, Independent)

'Immensely readable and magisterially detached. A gripping and impressive narrative of adventure and war' (Financial Times)

'Hopkirk's brilliant and engrossing account remains the classic text on how to handle the various and often dangerous people who inhabit the region, fill of tips and warnings for the Game's current players.' (BBC History Magazine)

'Fans of political history and adventure are in for a treat as publishing house John Murray reissues its Peter Hopkirk series' (Siān Gibson, Geographical Magazine)

Book Description:

This is an account of the encounter last century between the British in India and Tsarist Russia in Central Asia which became known as the Great Game. When the encounter began the frontiers of Russia and British India lay some 2000 apart. By the end, the gap had shrunk in places to 20 miles.

About this edition

• Publisher: John Murray
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0719564476
• ISBN 13: 9780719564475
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 592