The book explores the nexus between railways and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) - the first modern war and one in which the railways played a key part. This volume examines some of the key dimensions of the Russo-Japanese war, and most notably how uncomfortably technological and human dimensions of Russia's war effort interleaved in the course of the conflict. The authors demonstrate how advantages that might have been built upon were squandered, blunt traditional forms and habits were applied in politically tortuous contexts, and technological edge negated by the internal turmoil of a country unable to tame a process of modernisation. Demonstrating the vital role railways played in the Russo-Japanese War, generally considered to be the first modern, technological conflict, and a precursor to World War I, this book will appeal to students of the Russo-Japanese War, Russian history, military history and international history in general. Harold Shukman is an Emeritus Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford. From 1981 to1991 he was Director of the Russian and East European Centre at St Antony's. Felix Patrikeeff is senior Lecturer at the School of History and Politics, University of Adelaide. He is the President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (SA Branch).