From time to time we are lucky enough to find books that aim to vindicate something or someone unjustly unknown to history. With Valentine Baker's Heroic Stand at Tashkessen 1877, its author, Frank Jastrzembski, achieves it... twice.

Desperta Ferro Historia Moderna, December 2017 - review written by Javier Gómez Valero

In sum this is a fast paced, well researched, and thought provoking book about war, tactics and a man seeking redemption. What begins as an almost Flashman like story turns into the vindication of a tarnished and forgotten soldier and opens a window on a fascinating and tragic conflict. Though unlike Harry Flashman, Val Baker had much worse luck, except at Tashkessen.

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adventuresinhistoryland.com

This book attempts to do three things. Firstly rehabilitate the reputation of Valentine Baker, secondly raise awareness of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877 and finally prove that the rearguard action at Tashkessen is an outstanding example of military leadership in the field. It is to the author’s credit that he succeeds across the board.

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Phil Curme

The Nineteenth Century saw a number of British naval and army officers follow disgrace with glorious service for a foreign power. This book covers Baker’s lows and highs to his triumph at Tashkessen, but it also includes some brief and fascinating views of his family – Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

Despite Baker’s present-day obscurity, Jastrzembski is to be congratulated for gaining the outcast officer some redemption in this 202-page, hardcover book complete with 16 pages of illustrations and maps.

Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine issue 228

As referenced in the further reading section of author article on Valentine Baker

The Armourer Incorporating Classic Arms & Militaria, November 2017

It all makes for an interesting story.

The Armourer - Incorporating Classic Arms & Militaria, October 2017

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in nineteenth century military history in general, and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 in particular. It will also appeal to wargamers and those with an interest in the men who served Victoria’s Empire both in and outside her armed forces. I look forward to reading Frank Jastrzembski’s future books with great anticipation.

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Wargaming Miscellany

This is a brilliant book, well researched and written, throwing light on a subject that deserves more attention. Not just the fascinating story of Valentine Baker, but also the role of rearguard actions in warfare. Taskkessen is indeed a model to be studied. Highly recommended.

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Balkan Wargamer

An entertaining account of an interesting rearguard action in a largely forgotten war that has been overshadowed by subsequent conflicts and one with which I imagine most wargamers today will have little emotional involvement. Tashkessen, therefore, offers a perfect tactical situation for an unfamiliar, challenging scenario that readers of this book can inflict upon their fellow wargamers!

Reviewed by Arthur Harman for Miniature Wargames

Author article relating to the Siege of Plevna as featured in

History of War magazine

The book will be useful to anyone interested in the Victorian army or the Russo - Turkish Wars of the nineteenth century. It doesn't tell us anything new about Baker or his scandal but it does shed light on the period between jail and El Teb which is usually glossed over by authors.

Wargames Illustrated Facebook feed - reviewed by Jim Graham

Frank Jastrzembski's book is a well organised book. It has an index, bibliography, plenty of illustrations and maps. It even has some modern illustrations which was a nice touch.

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The British Empire

As featured on...

Ottoman History

Valentine Baker was a misfit in his time and a difficult character to understand today. However, for those who wish to get under the skin of the Victorian British, it is essential to look at him in the context of his own world. An exemplary officer in the 10th Hussars, his career was ruined by a conviction for assault on a young lady in a railway carriage for which he was dismissed from the army. In hindsight, the conviction was gravely unsound (a view shared by many of his contemporary officers including the Prince of Wales). However, in the age of new Puritanism under the aging Victoria he was forced to take service in the Turkish army where he was responsible for one of the finest rearguard actions in the Nineteenth Century against the invading Russians. For this he was lionised by the press and the British public but still snubbed by the Palace. He then moved to Egypt, again fighting for the Empire until his death. A few days after his death, the letter arrived from the Queen, reinstating him in the British army.

This book focuses on the Russo Turkish War and Baker's part therein. It is well written, lively and balanced. It gives an excellent feel for this meatgrinder of a now largely forgotten war in the Balkans, a war that nevertheless needs to be understood if a student really wishes to comprehend the causes of the Great War a generation later.

The book is well illustrated by Zsuzsi Hajdu.

Cosplay Burnaby