800 Horsemen : God's History Makers

by Col Stringer

History of the liberation of the city of Jerusalem from 1400 years of Muslim rule. First the Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Napoleon, Muslims (again) and finally the Australian Light Horse. Eight hundred young Australians made a daring charge into the face of 5000 Turkish soldiers in World War 1. They opened the doorway to the liberation of Jerusalem and the way for the foundation of the modern nation of Israel, something no other nation has been able to achieve.

Genres: History, Israel, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 1999

Reviews

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The style is flamboyant and, in good preaching style, heavily repetitive. (Even, on several occasions for entire paragraphs repeated verbatim!) For the more reserved Aussie in me, it felt a bit over-the-top and florid at times. But it's hard to fault Col Stringer's enthusiasm for this topic and for his desire to make the Riders of Destiny more widely known.

This review is for the ninth edition. I started reading it on the Anzac Day centenary, wanting to refresh my memory of Stringer's look at the charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba. I had read an earlier version and quickly realised this had been updated with quotes from books published since the original came out. I suspect, without being totally sure since I'm working from memory, that some significant changes have taken place. For instance, there is now an admission that there are many contenders for the title of the last cavalry charge in history but Stringer maintains this was the 'great' one. Well, 'great' might just be in the eye of the beholder. So, it's good to come to this book aware of some patriotic bias on the part of the author.

Harper Lee in To Kill a Mockingbird wrote: “Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I'd have the facts.” Yep, the adjectives - particularly the adjective 'magnificent' - could have done with some trimming in order to let the facts speak for themselves in 800 Horsemen. In some cases, notably that of 'Fighting' McKenzie, some propaganda seems to have infiltrated the facts. Bully Beef and Balderdash. Some myths of the AIF examined and debunked pulls apart the legendary accretions to the story of McKenzie in particular.

The extensive quotes throughout give an eyewitness glimpse into the feelings of the Anzacs at the time. The historical background was fascinating. I'd never realised what a Janissary was before and this was a real eye-opener.

Intriguing details:
(1) Jerusalem was allegedly a city of seventy names.
(2) The third name God gives Himself is 'Jealous'.
(3) One of the oldest names of Jerusalem is Jebus, 'pain'.
(4) 37 conquests of Jerusalem occurred; it changed hands 86 times.
(5) There's a bizarre statement on page 28 about Hadrian re-taking the city in the seventh century. I think this should be Heraclius.
(6) Pope Urban II declared Jerusalem to be 'umbilicus mundi' - the navel of the world.

[Mark Baines · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting if difficult read. Difficult due to the nature of writing, which presents in short paragraphs in the manner of extracts from other sources that are not pulled together well. The author also references many biblical extracts and seems to be trying to indicate that the efforts of the Australian Light Horse have a religious purpose ending in the LH saving the Jews and liberating Gaza and Jerusalem from the Turks on their own rather than as part of the allied effort. The author then seeks to belittle TE Lawrence as well as promote the LH contribution to the WW1 effort - and he may be correct to do so - but to suggest the whole effort is by divine will suggests a religious intent rather than effecting/updating the historic record of a conflict the history of which is focussed on the trenches in France/Belgium. All this detracts from the performance and bravery of these troops.
The earlier historic references eg the Crusades, Hitler's persecution of Jews, the Napoleon, have little relevance to the battle/charge at Beersheba yet are included in an attempt to slant the 'story' towards a fulfilment of prophecy and that the LH were there specifically to liberate the Jews.
There are some excellent pen pictures, poetry and related correspondence; I just feel this history could have been better pulled together so that it flows and highlights the contribution to the wider conflict.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

“800 Horsemen : God's History Makers” by Col Stringer
Don't forget that New Zealanders were also serving!
This book is written through the lens of Australian nationalism, dispensational eschatological theology and therefore pro-Zionism.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound history compiled in a readable enjoyable manner.

[Heidi Beezley]

How do I read this book

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an enigma to me. It was in the Australian top 20 books in ~2004, but it is difficult to understand why. I was expecting a longish account of Australian forces in WW1 - military history - not my usual thing, but if it made top 20 then perhaps there was something special about it. When I picked it up from the library I became puzzled, however, as the cover and subtitle - God's history makers - had the appearance of religious tract, which in fact it largely is. Although there are interesting accounts of the military escapades, the point drummed home is the Authors view that somehow the Australian forces' actions in the middle east fulfilled biblical 'prophecy' and provides a foretaste of Australia as the source of the worlds next (last?) great Christian revival. This thesis is incredulous, despite the authors obvious enthusiasm for the idea, but even more surprising is the fact it ended up competing with genuinely classic (and otherwise understandably popular) books. I suspect a convergence of nationalistic religious sentiment just after the centenary of federation, coupled with some judicious voting, explains the 'popularity'.

[Ian King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey! People seem to forget that the Lighthorsemen were not only made up of Aussies, but there were Kiwi's amidst the forces too!
This is an amazing account of the battle that liberated the Jews and Jerusalem from muslim occupation in 1914. ( I need to re-check the facts as it's been a while since I read this book,) A feit no one had been able to accomplish in thousands of years, that is until the Mad Aussies AND Kiwis came to town!
I was thrilled to learn about the whole event and how the impossible was suddenly made possible, in a desperate 'last wall of offence.'
One of the reasons I love this account is because of the fact that the Jews are still Gods chosen people, whether you like it or not. Whether you agree with it or not, and if we (Aussies, Kiwis,) have been a part of this incredible event and goodness towards His chosen ones, then, oh the rewards for those and their families (generations to come,) will be lavishing!
How exciting!
To learn this history is absolutely facinating and well worth the read.

[Neville Ridley-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the Australian Light Horsemen did is amazing. Not just in a military sense but also in a historical sense. They opened the doorway for the creation of the Israelite state.

This book is an ok account of what happened. It gives a fairly good history of Jerusalem and the many changes of hands. Also of interest is the mistreatment of Jews throughout history. Most people only know about Nazi germany but there are many other times when they've been persecuted and forced to leave places.

One problem with this book is it sometimes jumps around through history - forwards and backwards. I feel it could have been edited to make it more coherent. And I feel more time could have been spent on the actual charge on Beersheba.

As to the stuff at the end of the book about Australia's spiritual destiny, well, that can be safely skipped by most people - it's a bit over the top even for me as a Christian. It put me in mind of Steve Jobs reality distortion field...

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found 800 horsemen amazing and inspiring to see what the Aussies could do in a big war like that.
It is also amazing to see how God can use a Young Nation like Australia to rock the world at such an important time in World history.