IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, THE NEW NATION-STATE OF ITALY WAS EAGER TO JOIN HER EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURS IN CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL EMPIRE, AND HER EYES TURNED TOWARD AFRICA AS A SOURCE OF POTENTIAL COLONIES. Securing a foothold in Eritrea on the Red Sea coast, the Italians quickly became embroiled in a shooting war with the Ethiopians. The war proved a disaster for the Italians, who suffered three major defeats against the forces of Emperor Menelik's army, including a horrendous massacre at Adowa, the largest defeat of a colonial army prior to World War I. This book looks at the campaign with an emphasis on the colourful uniforms worn by both sides.