Although the Crimean War involved four large global powers, namely Russia, France, Turkey and Britain, few people can tell you why it was fought, and fewer still can explain the aims of each side. Conversely, and despite - or perhaps because of - over a century of journalistic and historical analysis depicting the war as a waste of lives and resources, some components have become legend, especially the Charge of the Light Brigade and Florence Nightingale. Osprey lists both Florence and the Light Brigade on the back of this 'Essential Histories' book, and it's a sensible way of attracting readers to a much-neglected conflict.

The opening section of The Crimean War - which the page header calls a 'background', but is more accurately described by the chapter title as a 'panorama of the conflict' - briefly outlines several of the broader issues concerning the dispute. These include the role of press and photographers, the perceived need to fight, the change in title from 'Russian' to 'Crimean' War, non-Crimean conflicts, and the joy of victory, which modern narratives seem to have lost.

The next two chapters analyse both the events that led to conflict and the participating sides. Sweetman's text may be slightly weak on explaining the declaration of war, but his treatment of each nation and their motivations is excellent, especially the pages dealing with the commanders, the nature of their forces and the gathering of the allies. Sweetman doesn't have an eloquent writing style, and the opening sections feel too abbreviated, but he certainly isn't a dry author and the text is easy to read. Some people may find one quirk of Sweetman's style - the frequent short sentences which either make barbed points or foreshadow a later event - annoying, but for others it will be an immensely enjoyable feature of the book.

As with other Essential Histories, the bulk of The Crimean War is a long chapter that deals with the main events of the war in a chronological narrative; this fills around half of the book. Sweetman has included many detailed and illustrative geographical descriptions that combine well with the selection of maps, while plentiful - but never overwhelming - figures add a numerical depth. Events are described in a non-dramatic, but still visual style, giving readers a solid introduction to the Crimean War. Crucially, Sweetman recognises that opinion is divided on many facts and interpretations, and this uncertainty is noted in the text. Four shorter chapters follow, discussing a Captain, women in the Crimea, the conclusion of the war and its consequences.

Like most Osprey books, The Crimean War is handsomely illustrated, this time with a combination of photographs, drawings and maps. However, not only are pictures captioned with details of the scenes they purport to show, but Sweetman helpfully notes any pieces of artistic licence (or mistakes). There is one small problem: four of the maps have been given incorrect titles, so make sure your copy of the book comes with the errata slip (normally found inside the front cover) or you could be rather confused!

The Crimean War is an excellent introduction to the conflict, with a good range of background, description, historiography and illustration. Details are often scant, but this is only a small book and Sweetman has achieved a superb range. Unfortunately, the volume suffers from one drawback - the text is Anglo-centric. Much of the book is taken up with the problematic relationship between the British Government and the various commanders of the British army, but only scant attention is given to the French and Russian hierarchy and nothing is provided on the Turkish government's view of the conflict.

Sweetman's book is such a good introduction that I wouldn't want this problem to put any readers off, and if you want a summary of British involvement in the Crimean War then the volume is perfect. However, if you are looking for details on Turkey, France and Russia you could be disappointed.