Queen Victoria's reign was defined by constant, brutal "small wars" that expanded the British Empire and reinforced colonial rule through incessant, often localized conflicts. These campaigns, ranging from the First Anglo-Afghan War to the Anglo-Zulu War, were often characterized by extreme conditions, high costs, and improvised strategies far from London. For a detailed overview of the era, read the introduction from Cambridge Core . Queen Victoria's Little Wars by Byron Farwell | Goodreads