I picked up this diary expecting a dry military account. What I found was something far more compelling: a real-time window into one of World War I's most tragic campaigns, written by the man holding the bag.

The Story

The book kicks off in March 1915. Ian Hamilton, a respected British general, is suddenly handed command of a massive, rushed amphibious assault on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. The goal? Knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war and open a sea route to Russia. His diary follows the chaotic few weeks from his appointment to the initial landings in late April. We see the frantic scramble to organize an army from different nations, the lack of reliable intelligence (he famously lamented having to plan with a 1912 tourist guidebook), and the immense political pressure from London. Then, we hit the beaches. The entries become shorter, sharper. He describes visiting the front, the bravery of the ANZAC and British troops, the brutal terrain, and the swift realization that this would be a grueling stalemate, not a quick victory.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this diary special is its immediacy. Hamilton isn't looking back with regret or justification. He's writing in the moment, and you feel it. His tone swings from confident optimism to deep worry, sometimes within the same entry. You see his genuine care for his men and his frustration with distant superiors and inadequate resources. It completely humanizes a figure often simply blamed for the defeat. You're not reading a history lesson; you're peering over the shoulder of a commander as his great gamble starts to slip through his fingers. It’s a masterclass in the fog of war and the immense personal toll of leadership.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for anyone interested in World War I, military history, or leadership under extreme pressure. It's perfect for readers who enjoyed firsthand accounts like Storm of Steel but want the perspective from the top. It pairs brilliantly with books that cover the soldier's-eye view of Gallipoli. Be warned: it's not a cheerful read. But it is a profoundly honest and moving one. You'll come away with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the Gallipoli disaster, not just as a military failure, but as a deeply human one.