Thoroughly researched, beautifully, yet accessibly written this is the story of the most remarkable soldiers who left their mark not just on Britain but the whole world. Some of them have their names etched in the national mythology whilst others are more obscure figures but nonetheless their achievements or failures have had consequences on our life today.
Mark Urban tells the story of ten exceptional generals who left their mark on Britain, the British Empire, and the world. Some - including the Duke of Wellington, Lord Kitchener and Bernard Montgomery - are names etched in the national mythology. Others are unsung heroes and shadowy presences whose achievements or failures may have had consequences quite different to those they had intended.
All ten of these generals revealed either a brilliant ability or a fatal flaw. Success or failure depended largely on their ability to work within Britain's Parliamentary democracy - and against tyrants, despots and emperors who were often free to act alone.
Mark Urban, the acclaimed author of Rifles and Fusiliers, is now one of our foremost experts on military history.
'One of the most intelligent books on the British Army I have ever read.' Allan Mallinson
Mark Urban is the Diplomatic Editor of the BBC's 'Newsnight' and was formerly defence correspondent for the Independent. He has covered many wars and is remembered for live broadcasts under a Scud attack in Saudi Arabia in 1991 or while being fired upon in Kosovo.
