Ian Hamilton's March

"Ian Hamilton's March" by Winston Churchill is a real-life story told through letters, that looks at British military actions in the South African War. The main focus is on Lieutenant-General Ian Hamilton's group as they move from Bloemfontein to Pretoria through difficult land. Churchill writes about what he saw and felt during this important time in British military history. The book starts after the Siege of Ladysmith, showing British troops getting ready for more fighting against Boer soldiers. Churchill thinks about the war strategy and locations, and tells how operations change as he gets ready to go with Hamilton. Readers find out about the difficulties of moving supplies for the army, as well as how the soldiers felt. It gives a good idea of the problems on the battlefield and the friendship among the troops during this hard time. The story shows both the careful planning and the human side of war, building a strong picture for the rest of the book, which talks about Hamilton's journey and battles.