Churchill's First War: Young Winston and the Fight Against the Taliban

A fascinating account of Winston Churchill's early military career fighting in the 1890 Afghan campaign, offering fresh and revealing parallels into today's war in Afghanistan Just over a century ago British troops were fighting a vicious frontier war against Pashtun tribeman on the North West Frontier—the great-great-grandfathers of the Taliban and tribal insurgents in modern-day Afghanistan. Winston Churchill, then a young cavalry lieutenant, wrote a vivid account of what he saw during his first major campaign. The Story of the Malakand Field Force, published in 1898, was Churchill’s first book and, a hundred years later, is required reading for military commanders on the ground, both British and American. In Churchill's First War , acclaimed author and foreign correspondent, Con Coughlin tells the story of that campaign, a story of high adventure and imperial success, which contains many lessons and warnings for today. Combining historical narrative, interviews with contemporary key players, and the journalist’s eye for great color and analysis, Churchill's First War affords us a rare insight into both the nineteenth-century "Great Game" and the twenty-first-century conflict that has raged longer than World War II.

We offer easy, no-hassle 30-day returns for eligible orders from the UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU. If you're not satisfied or your item arrives damaged, just email us for approval and we’ll provide a region-specific return address. Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving approved returns. For damaged items, share a clear unboxing video — and you can keep the item after refund approval. At this time, exchanges are not supported. All orders ship from our main warehouse in Hyderabad, India, and are dispatched within 12–36 hours (Mon–Sat). We manage all customs paperwork (IGST, IOSS, VAT) to ensure smooth delivery. Shipping is free in most regions and typically takes 5–9 business days. Priority shipping (4–6 days) is available at checkout for a small fee. We use trusted carriers like Royal Mail, DPD, Emirates Post, Aramex, and Australia Post. Once shipped, you'll receive a tracking email.

👉 View full Returns & Refunds policy | 👉 Shipping Info