Breaker Morant

Breaker Morant covers the true story of Harry "Breaker" Morant, an Australian horseman and soldier who served in the Boer War. FitzSimons reconstructs Morant's journey from bush poet and horse-breaker in Australia to his role as a lieutenant in the British forces during the conflict in South Africa. The book documents the complex military and political landscape of the Boer War at the turn of the 20th century, focusing on the guerrilla warfare tactics that emerged. Through military records, letters, and testimonies, FitzSimons presents the events that led to Morant's court-martial along with two other Australian officers. The narrative traces how British military justice operated in wartime, examining the intersection of battlefield conduct, chain of command, and imperial politics. The multiple perspectives included in the book - from soldiers and commanders to politicians and civilians - create a layered account of this historical episode. This work raises enduring questions about military ethics, colonial power structures, and the nature of justice in wartime. The story of Breaker Morant continues to resonate as a symbol of the tension between military duty and moral responsibility.

Readers commend FitzSimons' thorough research and his ability to provide historical context around the Boer War and Morant's military service. Multiple reviewers note the book offers a balanced perspective rather than simply portraying Morant as either hero or villain. Readers appreciated: - Clear breakdown of the legal proceedings - Inclusion of personal letters and documents - Examination of Australian-British military relationships - Maps and photographs that enhanced understanding Common criticisms: - Length (over 500 pages) with repetitive sections - Too much detail about peripheral characters - Writing style shifts between formal history and casual commentary Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (182 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.5/5 (89 reviews) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (31 reviews) One reviewer stated: "FitzSimons strips away the mythology to reveal the complex truth behind Morant's case." Another noted: "The narrative occasionally gets bogged down in military minutiae that could have been condensed."

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🔹 Harry "Breaker" Morant, the subject of this biography, earned his nickname from his exceptional ability to break in wild horses - a highly valued skill in colonial Australia. 🔹 Author Peter FitzSimons conducted extensive research in South Africa, discovering previously unpublished documents that shed new light on the controversial court martial of Morant during the Boer War. 🔹 The 1980 film "Breaker Morant" starring Edward Woodward helped transform Morant into an Australian folk hero, though FitzSimons' book challenges this romanticized portrayal. 🔹 Before his execution, Morant penned several poems, including the famous lines "And the wonder grew that thro' the whole/Of the siege we laughed and quaffed/No funeral dirge e'er passed our lips/But we sang, and joked, and chaffed." 🔹 Despite being remembered as an Australian icon, Morant was actually born in England and spent only about 17 years in Australia before heading to South Africa to fight in the Boer War.