Military commanders matter. They win or lose battles, determine the outcomes of wars and often shape the history of nations. But they are also human individuals. This study of thirty-four British commanders, from Boudica to Bomber Harris, reflects on their personal stories, as individuals and warriors; as husbands and wives, libertines and lovers, strategists and shapers of British history over almost two thousand years. Short biographical essays, by military analyst Michael Clarke, cover a sweep of British history from the epic story of Queen Boudica in Roman Britain, to the generals, admirals and air marshals of the First and Second World Wars. Their styles of leadership, their strategies â or in some cases lack of them â are examined as they throw themselves on fortune. And the Gods of War decide whom will be lucky, and whom not.
Some commanders described here were obvious shapers of British history, like King Alfred, William the Conqueror, Henry V, Cromwell, Marlborough, Wellington or Montgomery. Some were unlucky and seemed beset by failure, like Walter Raleigh, Sir John Moore or General John Gort. Others are less well-known as significant commanders; like Lady Aethelflaid of Mercia, the Empress Matilda, the âgreatest knightâ, Sir William Marshal, or Cuthbert Collingwood who served with Nelson at Trafalgar. All have fascinating stories. Their experiences are compared in two final chapters that draw from unique interviews with a number of living British commanders who reflect on the âeternal veritiesâ of command but also the new conditions of twenty-first century warfare.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781526788993
Publisert
2024-11-05
Utgiver
Vendor
Pen & Sword Military
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
AldersnivĂĽ
G, 01
SprĂĽk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
360
Forfatter