The First Victory

“Clear exposition based on exhaustive research and informed judgment . . . [An] excellent contribution to World War II historiography.”—Martin Rubin, Washington Times

“The First Victory is that rarity of military history: groundbreaking research combined with first-rate narrative skills. The critical neglect suffered by the East Africa campaign in volumes of popular history is now significantly redressed.”—Steve Donoghue, Open Letters

“A perceptive account . . . astute and highly readable.”—Paolo Morisi, Michigan War Studies Review

“A work of deep archival research with an astounding command of the secondary literature on WWII.”–James R. Brennan, Canadian Journal of History

'Exciting and multilayered, this is a comprehensive account of an overlooked campaign in which an outnumbered imperial army destroyed Mussolini’s dream of a new Roman Empire. Fighting over vast distances and inhospitable terrain, forces from the Congo, Ethiopia and across the British Empire recorded the Allies' first major triumph. With its mastery of archival sources, The First Victory displays Andrew Stewart’s skill as an historian of Second World War campaigns and their political and strategic context. An exhilarating read.'—Ashley Jackson, author of Churchill

‘This is a highly readable account of a little-known military campaign and an important addition to our understanding of the Second World War. The author is to be congratulated on penning an authoritative and well-written book.'—Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, author of Victoria Cross Heroes