The Crimean War: The truth behind the myth by Clive Ponting

This is the 150th anniversary of the Crimean War - in many senses a prototype for the World Wars. This book is a simple narrative history, beautifully summarizing the causes and conduct of the war. Famous battles and names get put in context:

• The death rate at Florence Nightingale's hospital was higher than at other field hospitals.
• The charge of the Light Brigade made an inconclusive battle famous.

This is a British-viewpoint narrative, and the British conduct of the war is roundly criticized. The French performed much better, but the Ottomans are hardly mentioned.