Leading from the Front is General Sir Richard Dannatt's reflections on a life of military service which offers a characteristically frank analysis of whether Britain's defence strategy is fit to deal with the numerous threats we will face in the 21st century. As a modern-day soldier and, as Chief of the General Staff, 'professional head of the Army', General Sir Richard Dannatt was never afraid to speak his mind. Readers of his biography will be privileged to read it.
Leading from the Front : An Autobiography Synopsis
General Sir Richard Dannatt's distinguished career in the army has spanned thirty-eight years and seen him serve in many different theatres of conflict, from Northern Ireland (where he was awarded the Military Cross) to Bosnia and Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. His experiences have forged an unwavering loyalty to the fighting British soldier. As Chief of the General Staff, he was given overall command of the British army at a time when the fighting was fiercest in Afghanistan. But from his very first day in the job, General Dannatt proved himself a courageous leader and a forceful advocate for his men, never shying from controversy to tell the truth as he found it. More than any leader in recent times, Dannatt has used his position of command to get a better deal for the British soldier - the right equipment, the right conditions, the right reward - to do the job we ask of them. His leadership and example have shaped the debate about the role of the professional army in modern warfare.
General Sir Richard Dannatt is one of the most respected British Generals of modern times. He stepped down from the position of Chief of the General Staff in August 2009. In the same year he was appointed by the Queen to the position of Constable of the Tower of London. In January 2011 he entered the House of Lords as a Crossbench Peer.
