Origins of the Crimean War

• Part 1 The setting: western questions - the home fronts; western questions - the projection of power; the Eastern question. Part 2 The sparks: counter-revolution on the march (1848-1850); holy places, profane litigation (May 1850-March 1852); the return to armed diplomacy (April-November 1852); nativity. Part 3 The rupture: preparations for diplomatic disaster (January-February 1853); mission impossible - I - Menshikov vs the Charges (March 1853); mission impossible - II - Menshikov vs the Great Ambassador (April-May 1853). Part 4 The twighlight zone: giant steps (May-June 1853); floating projects (June-July 1853); sour notes (July-August 1853); cutting loose (August-September 1953). Part 5 The passage to Arms: the outbreak of the Ninth Russo-Turkish War (September-October 1853); getting down to business (October-December 1853); calculated countdown (December 1853-April 1854). Part 6 Conclusions and consequences: the origins of the Crimean War; the strange sequel.

' One need only say here that [The conclusions] make stimulating reading - like the book itself, which is now the best we have on the subject.' The Journal of Military History