Ian Hamilton is chiefly famous for the devastating failure of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. John Lee's biography reveals that Gallipoli was always doomed and that Hamilton deserves to have his entire career reassessed.

From childhood to army commission, 1853-73 -- Service in India (with an African interlude), 1873-84 -- Service in Africa, India, Burma and England, 1884-99 -- War in South Africa, 1899-1902 -- Quartermaster-general and service in Manchuria, 1902-05 -- Southern command, 1905-09 -- Adjutant-general and GOC, Mediterranean, 1909-14 -- The world war spreads, 1914-15 -- Attack at Gallipoli, 1915 -- Stalemate at Gallipoli, 1915 -- Defeat at Gallipoli, 1915 -- The Dardanelles commission, 1915-18 -- Post-war life, 1918-47.