The Dark Defile

In "The Dark Defile," Diana Preston recounts the tumultuous First Afghan War of 1838, where the British Army of the Indus, convinced of a quick victory, found themselves embroiled in a perilous struggle against united Afghan tribes. The narrative delves into the strategic blunders and miscalculations that led to a disastrous retreat from Kabul, resulting in the slaughter of the British forces and leaving only one survivor. Drawing on a wealth of letters and diaries, Preston brings to life key figures like Lord Auckland and Alexander Burnes, framing this historical episode as a notable chapter in the rivalry between Britain and Russia for dominance in Central Asia.