Army of Empire

The Untold Story of the Indian Army in World War I

By: George Morton-Jack

Narrated by: Roger Davis

Drawing on untapped new sources, the first global history of the Indian Expeditionary Forces in World War I

While their story is almost always overlooked, the 1.5 million Indian soldiers who served the British Empire in World War I played a crucial role in the eventual Allied victory. Despite their sacrifices, Indian troops received mixed reactions from their allies and their enemies alike-some were treated as liberating heroes, some as mercenaries and conquerors themselves, and all as racial inferiors and a threat to white supremacy. Yet even as they fought as imperial troops under the British flag, their broadened horizons fired in them new hopes of racial equality and freedom on the path to Indian independence.

Drawing on freshly uncovered interviews with members of the Indian Army in Iraq and elsewhere, historian George Morton-Jack paints a deeply human story of courage, colonization, and racism, and finally gives these men their rightful place in history.

Shiva gives 10 thumbs up

All joking aside. This WWI book is well researched and very informative. Not an easy task to approach WWI history from a new and different vantage point.

A slug fest I couldn't finish

I really tried with this one. Being especially interested in WWI and WWII, I thought this would make an interesting topic. It started out easy to follow, but then quickly got mired in details that I couldn't follow. I suppose this book is geared for those with basic knowledge about the subject. And it might be a much easier book to follow when read as opposed to listening. Roger Davis was great as always.