The subject of the Indian Army in the First World War is a fascinating area of study and one that has been sorely neglected. Scholar Santanu Das's recently published India, Empire, and First World War Culture: Writings, Images, and Songs explores the social, cultural, and literary history of Indian Army participants.

Army of Empire focuses more directly on military participation, filling a much-needed niche in historical accounts of the Great War. Author George Morton-Jack provides overview material, but the real strength of this book are the first-hand accounts included. Drawing from diaries, letters, and other primary source material, Morton-Jack allows the officers and men of the Indian Army to share their experiences in their own words.

The editorial matter of the book at times provides awkwardly worded contextual material (“the British kept bounding forward through the Middle East by following their imperialist noses to the war’s end”) and may be accused of a bias in favor of the Allied Armies. For example, describing the German advance into Belgium, Morton-Jack writes, "The apparent pitilessness of Prussian militarism was plain to see." But if one can overlook these faults, the stories of those who fought with the Indian Army make for fascinating and enlightening reading.

Wonderful, wonderful story of over one million ghosts who fought and died with allies who looked down on them. Great historical vantage but also may offer insights to the willing who think of nuclear weapons and that "strange country in the hills". Read this!!

This is a very good book about a completely overlooked part of world war I history. Soldiers from the Indian empire served in conflicts throughout the war, and Morton-Jack explains it all. The book is well-researched, with useful notes and bibliography. The author also goes through the very important point that "India" back then was not India that we know now, and that "Indian" soldiers from the time period would have actually been from many countries, ethnicities, and religions. Many people, especially students, have no idea of the diversity of India even now so it's good to see the author open up with this point. Overall, I would definitely recommend it, especially for academic libraries where students may benefit from exposure to the greater picture of world war I.