A Nasty Little War

A Nasty Little War by Anna Reid vividly brings to light the intricate and often overlooked episode of the West's intervention in the Russian Civil War. In the chaotic aftermath of the First World War, Britain, America, France, and Japan dispatched 180,000 soldiers to revolutionary Russia. Their audacious, yet ultimately futile, mission was to depose the Bolshevik forces and alter the course of history. What ensues is a tale filled with intrigue and danger, as soldiers traversed the crumbling expanse of the Russian Empire via sleds, trains, and paddle steamers. They bore witness to the harshest of conditions, making shelter in log cabins and felt yurts, while engaging in relentless warfare, torpedoing warships from speedboats and even becoming pioneers in the utilisation of air-dropped chemical weapons.

Supported by fervent advocates like Winston Churchill, these Western soldiers were embroiled in an operation described as a 'comic opera,' complete with numerous covert missions including orchestrated coups and a high-profile assassination. However, their alliance with the White Russian forces was morally compromised as they often ignored the grievous atrocities committed by their allies.

After two years of relentless conflict, the Red Army's overpowering resurgence forced the Western allies to withdraw, leaving Russia immersed in even greater turmoil and a deepened sense of mistrust towards the West. Reid's exceptional narrative in A Nasty Little War ensures that this Western misadventure is remembered, blending meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling to paint a vivid picture of this forgotten chapter in history.

The book has garnered acclaim from numerous historians and critics:

‘Chillingly original’ - Max Hastings

‘Brilliantly depicts a disastrous failure’ - Antony Beevor

‘Witty and elegant . . . Excellent background to today's events’ - Anne Applebaum

‘Britain's most forgotten war, brilliantly remembered’ - Simon Jenkins

‘Vivid and remarkably timely’ - Martin Sixsmith

From the bestselling author of Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine, Anna Reid once again demonstrates her ability to convey the complexities of history with clarity and insight. A Nasty Little War is a gripping account of intervention, conflict, and the unintended consequences that still resonate today.