The Savage Empire

This text, a sequel to Massacre and Retribution, recounts the darker side of some of the forgotten colonial wars. These include the Opium War (1839-42) - which shamed Britain and was fought to maintain the opium trade. Thousands died as British technology and warships hammered Chinese warriors on land and at sea; the Persian War (1856-57) - an epic march in foul conditions. A tremendous cavalry charge and a swift victory were features of this campaign on Persian soil fought to maintain the balance of interests which kept Russia out of India; and the Arrow or Second Chinese War (1856-60) - the seizure of a small craft sparked a conflict which saw the attempted mass poisoning of Britons in Hong Kong, the slaughter of British soldiers bogged down in mudflats, the murder of diplomats under a white flag, the winning of seven VCs in a single engagment and the destruction of the Summer Palace.