books for you history buffs

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John Powell

John Powell

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Mar 9, 1999
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I get asked about my reference materials a lot and I must say these two books are an amazing compilation of great information about the early years of Gurkha history. If you can find either one do not hesitate to buy them:

"A Military History of Nepal" by Prakesh Sundahar (it's also listed under a different editor, but I cannot find that important info) This is very hard to find so if any of you do please let me know since I am desperate to buy it.

"Nepal and the East India" Company by BD Sanwal

Cheers
 
A Military History of Nepal, Lakshan B. Hamal, shows up for sale by two vendors in a Google search of "military history of nepal." There are more hits for a two volume set.
 
The above is how the forum ought to work. All the time ( well, except for a little levity now and again ).

No-one knows it all and the ones who keep asking questions are the ones who keep learning. It's amazing what others know if you ask respectfully, and offer your own wisdom graciously in return.

Thanks to both of you for the reminder.
 
The 2 volume set is very good also, but the book I referred to is a small obscure book produced in Nepal. It has information I had never seen and some wonderful details. Same title as the 2 volume set and I should have made that clear. My error.

Thankyou TL for finding them via a search engine. A few years back I ordered them thru Amazon although it took 6 months to get them.
 
No, John, the "Hamal" book is published in Nepal and is not the two volume work. Of course, it may not be what you are looking for. (Damn, split another infinitive!)
 
Now I'm really confused. Maybe that is the book I lust after. The one I've seen (and copied as many pages as possible) had the Sundahar name in it. Either way I hope to find it and add it to the my 2 volume set. I wonder how the Gurkha Museum feels about theft?

The other book that would be worth finding is the beautifully done piece on the Rana clan produced by their bankers, Credit Suisse. Maybe you web-ferrets can lead me to that one. It has photos never before seen and is very upscale. Apparently all the Ranas live in India after ruling Nepal for 600 years.

The last book that I have looked for is "The Northwest Frontier" by Michael Bathrop. I have searched all the usual booksellers with no success and just know one of you guys will highlight my internet ineptness and discover a source. If not, it may be another case of smuggling it out of the GM. Berk, what is the penalty for grandtheft:book?
 
JP, on the hard to get side ia a massive book the 5th royal gurkha rifles frontier force 1858-1928 This was printed for private circulation and do not know if it was ever reprinted. This was the first and official regt. unit history and was printed and published for the regimental commitee.
Another good one is the Frontier Force Rifles another unit history this one complied by Brigadier W E H Condon.
 
There are some spectacular regimental histories that were printed privately for all the Gurkha Regiments. The 4th and 5th were known to be "wealthy" regiments and published beautifully done books. The 10th GR has a book that is not only well done, but easily available and has dozens more pictures than the earlier volumes.

I have seen some of these tomes in specialty book sellers in London, but the cost was prohibitive for the information contained. Considering all these books are residing in Winchester I couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of Pounds.

Somewhere there is a book called "Kukris: the history, the descriptions, the marks, the makers and where to buy them. 10,000 full size photos". $39.95 from Amazon
 
yes I have seen that $39.95 book its the best. Author JP.
I believe the first printing sold out, unfortunately i missed out and am eagerly awaiting the 2nd edition.
 
Ive only got the 10th GR one but it is excelant in my humble opinion!

Great pix & info that even sheds light on a rather dark 1945/46 secret that us English have never been told about, The use of fully armed Japanese prisoners of war from the Burma & Thailand surrenders as spec. forces to help crush the rebels in Vietnam!

A truly Disgusting move by are great politicians.

Personaly Im hanging out for the $69.95 autographed deluxe A3 hardback JP kukri edtion!

Spiral:rolleyes:
 
Even though that kukri book is full of errors and misspellings I wonder if you can get it signed by the author?
 
The best thing I have found for book searches on the net (so far) is www.bookfinder.com. It's a meta search engine which checks for new and used copies of books through many book vendors, including bibliofind, abebooks, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and lists them by price. I found a copy of Jack Dempsey's book "Championship Fighting" for $20 (long out of print and VERY hard to find - a friend of mine said he recently saw it on sale for over $400!). You just need to be patient and keep checking back.
 
I wonder indeed! Actualy I am sure such a genuourus, well educated & expierenced personage, would not hold a few spelling errors important in the Financial, Spiritual & intelectual scale of importance in life!{or Kukris}

Spiral

Edited to make the spelling mistakes slightly more comprehensible!

;) :cool: :D :rolleyes:
 
Snuffy, I have had great luck with Bookfinder. When I see a book on eBay I check out other sources first and usually get it much cheaper than the final auction price. Then again the book isn't always available so the auction kicks in.

One source I find very convenient is getting old books that have been transferred to CD. A fellow named Mike (Battletools on eBay) has a good group of volumes available and sells them for $10.
 
Hi John,

I checked out your eBay connection - nice stuff! I think I'm going to spring for one of his books on CD - a memoir about the Gurkha/Mahratta wars in the first quarter of the 19th cent... Thanks for the tip!
 
To quote someone whose name has slipped my mind, "What has this to do with kukuris? Everything!";) ;) ;)
 
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