The Road To Kandahar (1 Viewer)

[Harrytheheid]

Hey Guys,
Thought I'd tip the wink on a novel I picked up in some airport recently. I reckon it would appeal to Mister Dave and any other enthusiasts of the derring-do on the NWF. It's by someone called John Wilcox and seems to be the second in a series concerning the adventures of a late Victorian era British officer, somewhat similar to Sharpe.
I don't have access to a scanner right now, so here's the blurb on the back cover;

"The tribes are uniting. We shall crush your general and his pathetic force and leave their bones on the hills for the crows to pick them clean. But you will not live to see that"

The year is 1879, and Captain Simon Fonthill is ready for another challenge. Having survived the Zulu onslaught at Rorke's Drift, he is sent to the North-West Frontier - India's border with Afghanistan - and charged with a dangerous mission. Fonthill must infiltrate the warlike Pathan tribes and pass vital intelligence back to the British camp. He swiftly discovers a plot to massacre the regiments, but when his cover is blown, Fonthill steels himself for the harrowing consequences.

The plot is a bit contrived, and it isn't near as good as Flashman, but still an enjoyable yarn. It has all the ingredients; The laconic Welsh sidekick, the cricket-loving Sikh sidekick - going by the implausible name of W. G. Grace.., General (later Field Marshal) Roberts - or "Bobs", the Corp of Guides, Gurkha's, Pathans, 92nd Highlanders, the improbable female newspaper correspondent, 28th Punjabi's, the BAD senior Brit officers, political agents and spies, the hinted-at Russian presence, screw-guns, Lahore, Simla, Jalalabad, Peshawar, Bengal Lancers, Gazhali's, and so on.

Thoroughly recommended for whiling a few hours away. Must see if I can track down the first in the series set in Zululand.
And just a thought, young Captain Fonthill gets involved in a spot of torture carried out by a group of Afghan women. Now that would make for a nicely controversial set to be included in the upcoming new K&C NWF range....

Cheers
H

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks for the heads up, H. Sounds like a good read to me. I am especially in the mood for NWF material these days having recently watched "The Far Pavillions" courtesy of Netflix. This 5 hour saga gave a nice picture of life along the NWF in the 1870's and included some great coverage of the Corps of Guides, and the massacre of Cavagnari's(sp?) doomed mission to Kabul.

Cannot wait to see the first new releases in K&C's NWF range.

MD

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks for the heads up, H. Sounds like a good read to me. I am especially in the mood for NWF material these days having recently watched "The Far Pavillions" courtesy of Netflix. This 5 hour saga gave a nice picture of life along the NWF in the 1870's and included some great coverage of the Corps of Guides, and the massacre of Cavagnari's(sp?) doomed mission to Kabul.

Cannot wait to see the first new releases in K&C's NWF range.

MD

I have "The Far Pavilions" on DVD, as well as Kaye's wonderful book. Its one of my favorites. Even my wife loved the miniseries.

 

[Mister Dave]

I have "The Far Pavilions" on DVD, as well as Kaye's wonderful book. Its one of my favorites. Even my wife loved the miniseries.

So Louis, I'm guessing you are just as excited about the new and eagerly awaited Corps of Guides range that K&C is most surely unveiling later this year.

I am presently also getting started on The Great Game by Hopkirk as discussed fairly recently on another thread. Another book I'd recommend is called The Road to Kabul, by Brian Ferguson. This is a fairly detailed account of the British/Indian army's exploits and activities during the 2nd Afghan War. It covers the initial invasion, Cavagnari's mission and demise, and the re-invasion and occupation of Kabul and Kandahar, by Lord Roberts and General Stewart. It is fairly comprehensive in its accounting of units present at each particular action and event, but still not an overly cumbersome read.

MD

 

[Louis Badolato]

I wouldn't be shocked if one of the new ranges this year had to do with the Northwest Frontier (although I wouldn't be counting on just the Corps of Guides). Hopkirk's Book is also in my library, and is an excellent read. The Road to Kabul sounds like one I'll have to pick up. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Mister Dave]

I wouldn't be shocked if one of the new ranges this year had to do with the Northwest Frontier (although I wouldn't be counting on just the Corps of Guides). Hopkirk's Book is also in my library, and is an excellent read. The Road to Kabul sounds like one I'll have to pick up. Thanks for the tip!

Agreed on all points Louis.

Important correction to that book reference...It's Brian Robson (don't know where I came up with Ferguson).

MD

 

[Harrytheheid]

So Louis, I'm guessing you are just as excited about the new and eagerly awaited Corps of Guides range that K&C is most surely unveiling later this year.

I am presently also getting started on The Great Game by Hopkirk as discussed fairly recently on another thread. Another book I'd recommend is called The Road to Kabul, by Brian Ferguson. This is a fairly detailed account of the British/Indian army's exploits and activities during the 2nd Afghan War. It covers the initial invasion, Cavagnari's mission and demise, and the re-invasion and occupation of Kabul and Kandahar, by Lord Roberts and General Stewart. It is fairly comprehensive in its accounting of units present at each particular action and event, but still not an overly cumbersome read.

MD

Dave,

In my humble opinion, you're reading an excellent book by an excellent author - Peter Hopkirk.
I haven't read "The Road To Kabul", so I must remember to look out for it. Cavagnari and the residency massacre are dealt with in the novel I kicked off this thread with.
The forthcoming new NWF range from K&C is already on a winner with me...

Cheers Mate
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

I wish to state quite clearly here that no offence was intended by me towards the splendid citizens of Afghanistan when I began this thread.
I simply had the innocent desire to tip off fellow TF Forum members about a book that I've now finished reading.
Next one's gonna be "Last of the Amazons" by Steven Pressfield.
No offence intended towards Amazons.

Cheers
H

 

[Mister Dave]

:d:d:d:d:d

Md

Those are supposed to be big green grinning guys H.
Can't get my icons to work this morning.

MD

 

[Harrytheheid]

:d:d:d:d:d

Md

Those are supposed to be big green grinning guys H.
Can't get my icons to work this morning.

MD

MD,
I just got back from frequenting the hotel bar around 30 minutes ago.
While "people-watching", as I'm partial to whenever I don't have much else to do, I was approached by a rather forward young lady who was in possession of quite massive proportions, both upstairs and downstairs - and rather dubious taste in loud clothing I might add. Her suggestion as to how we might mutually occupy ourselves this evening certainly made my icons get to work...!!! . And would've brought a tear to a glass eye...no less!!!
Sadly, I'm afraid the young lady's plans shall not bear fruit, as I fully intend to hide in my hotel room for the next 24 hours. Besides, if Missus Heid ever found out, and she would, I'd end up wearing my wottsits as earings.....
OMG, I had forgotten just how aggressive African women can be at times.

TRUE STORY -

Cheers
H

 

[jazzeum]

This sounds like something out of Flashman!

 

[Louis Badolato]

I wish to state quite clearly here that no offence was intended by me towards the splendid citizens of Afghanistan when I began this thread.
I simply had the innocent desire to tip off fellow TF Forum members about a book that I've now finished reading.
Next one's gonna be "Last of the Amazons" by Steven Pressfield.
No offence intended towards Amazons.

Cheers
H

I am offended by your efforts not to offend me!! That being said, I am about half-way through Steven Pressfield's newest book, "Killing Rommel", and am thouroughly enjoying it. Let me know how you like "Last of the Amazons", as I may be looking for more of his work in the near future.

 

[Harrytheheid]

This sounds like something out of Flashman!

I assure the doubting Thomas's.....it's a TRUE STORY.....as is my somewhat unbelievable claim that I'll be hiding in my hotel room for the rest of today.

Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

I am offended by your efforts not to offend me!! That being said, I am about half-way through Steven Pressfield's newest book, "Killing Rommel", and am thouroughly enjoying it. Let me know how you like "Last of the Amazons", as I may be looking for more of his work in the near future.

I'm offended by you being offended by my efforts not to offend....ummm...think I got that right (?).
Seriously, L of the A seems to be okay, but not a patch on "Gates of Fire". Not so far anyway.

Cheers
H

 

[UKReb]

I wish to state quite clearly here that no offence was intended by me towards the splendid citizens of Afghanistan when I began this thread.
I simply had the innocent desire to tip off fellow TF Forum members about a book that I've now finished reading.
Next one's gonna be "Last of the Amazons" by Steven Pressfield.
No offence intended towards Amazons.

Cheers
H

Harry

I cannot help but notice -as an avid fan of all your posts regardless of topic- that practically every post of yours this past week is either prefaced with an apology or concludes with "no offence intended"

What's going on?

Not at all like you to be so sensitive and dare I say it removes "the cheeky Scot- but perfectly harmless-comments" from your posts that have so endeared you to your legion of fans here on the forum.

Not sure if I am fond of this new whiter than white H who now appears to be living on a diet of NICE pills posting diluted love-notes on every thread, unless of course you are going completely stir crazy in that hotel of yours worrying about on-line parcels that are never going to be delivered. Or have you been struck with a blinding light on your own road to Damascus?

So come on old son what gives?

Reb

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry

I cannot help but notice -as an avid fan of all your posts regardless of topic- that practically every post of yours this past week is either prefaced with an apology or concludes with "no offence intended"

What's going on?

Not at all like you to be so sensitive and dare I say it removes "the cheeky Scot- but perfectly harmless-comments" from your posts that have so endeared you to your legion of fans here on the forum.

Not sure if I am fond of this new whiter than white H who now appears to be living on a diet of NICE pills posting diluted love-notes on every thread, unless of course you are going completely stir crazy in that hotel of yours worrying about on-line parcels that are never going to be delivered. Or have you been struck with a blinding light on your own road to Damascus?

So come on old son what gives?

Reb

You've got it in one Reb,
I'm going completely stir crazy in this hotel of mine worrying about on-line parcels that are never going to be delivered.
Only kiddin'.

I'd like to claim that I've been blinded by the light on the road to Damascus (personally speaking, it's my favourite city in the entire Middle East BTW), and that I've turned into a Liberal Tree-Hugging Hippy Guardian-Reader, but this would be patently untrue. Mind you, I am a kinda failed Hippy/Biker of sorts.
Naa, if the truth be told, I've been indulging in a massive Extracting The Michael exercise.

I'm actually sitting in our Agent's Office here in Port Harcourt right now. Decided to get out of the Hotel-That's-Full-Of-Forward-Young-Ladies for a while and make an attempt to justify my existence here. Pretty difficult to pull that one off seeing as I've checked through all the gear I'm responsible for and over the weekend, (while not engaging in thought-provoking conversations in the Hotel Bar), I prepared some BS paperwork for our Clients to peruse, on the off-chance that the meeting with them that I tried to arrange all last week - actually occurs this afternoon.

Oh, that's the rain on again - how exciting...!!! Just like being in Mumbai during the Monsoon. Must get around to relating some of my adventures in Mumbai during the Monsoon - some time.

Did I ever tell you that the Hotel, "Le Meridian", that I used to stay in whenever I was hitting Damascus during the early 1990's, is situated slap bang opposite the PLO HQ??
No? Maybe I could relate the (true) story concerning the case of beer, the cavalcade of black-coloured sedans, and exchange of V for Victory signs with the occupants of the said black-coloured sedans. No? Oh well, some other time then, I guess.
OMG, I'm bored out of my mind.

BTW, what Legion of Fans are you referring to..?? If any such ill-advised and completely fictional group actually exits other than in your fevered imagination - d'yaa reckon I might be able to cheat them out of some money..??

Och, at least I'm booked to carry out some offshore survival training tomorrow and Wednesday. That'll be sure to take my mind off the bombshell my boss set off this morning. Apparently, while I've been sitting around in Nigeria with my thumb where it ought not to be, our office in Thailand has been deluging him with irate phone calls demanding "Where's The Heid..??". Which suggests I might not get any time off whenever I manage to escape from here.
I'd like to think that I do a good job, and that's why they're so desperate to get me back, but I tend to suspect they want to "interview" me concerning my last expenses claim....

As for the survival training, I've asked my assistant here in Port Harcourt to source a pair of swimming trunks for me. I look forward with a certain trepidation to seeing what she turns up with this afternoon.

What's your opinion of the new K&C Union figures? (Had to include TS's somewhere in this drivel).

PS. No offence intended toward anyone called Michael.

Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

Being serious for a moment;
Isn't there a book out there called, I think; From Kabul To Kandahar..??
I seem to remember that it relates the famous march made by Bobs from K to K and describes the battle he fought on arrival outside the gates of Kandahar.
Any assistance with the author's name shall be gratefully received.

Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

Reb,

Forgot to mention in my previous drivel that I do in fact have a TS with me. Well, not exactly a TS. It's the child from the Shrine SOHK set that I gave to my daughter during her recent visit to China. I gave her the small daughter figure out of the New Year grandchildren SOHK set by mistake. Doh.
Think I'll dig it out of my luggage and set it on my bedside table to remind me of all the rest of the SOHK/IC figures that are residing in Heid Mansion back in China.

Just to get this thread back on topic, i.e. Books:
I'm finding Last of the Amazons a wee bit heavy going, although it is beginning to heat up a bit on the action front.
My hotel does have a selection of books for sale. They look second-hand and have probably been left behind by guests over several years, but I did notice they have Nigel Tranter's "High Kings and Vikings" - which is on the list as the next book I read. It's a novel set in 12th Century Scotland, so inevitably, the historical background will be sketchy at best. But ho-hum.

Cheers
H

 

[Mister Dave]

Sorry H, I've seen this book you speak of, but cannot find it currently available in any of the easy sources (i.e. B&N, Amazon). But I did just find an interesting looking reprint of an 1881 account by somebody on the Roberts "team" throughout the entire campaign (Kurram Valley, Kabul, Kandahar). Looked too good to pass on, so it's on the way to me.

Good luck with your search.

MD

 

[theBaron]

Wasn't "The Road to Kandahar" one of the buddy pics that Bob Hope and Bing Crosby did in the 40's? With Sam Jaffe in the role as the streetwise cantina singer, because Dorothy Lamour was on a USO tour at the time?

Prosit!
Bradley