SOLDIERS

Despite being a sizeable paperback, it arrive undamaged - no creases or bends. Substantively, really interesting - just as I hoped!

There is so much in it that it is to be enjoyed over a long period of time. Some of the stories of heroism are so moving that they are to be reflected on at length. Humorous and diverting tales intermixed. Only complaints that the author seemed to value this Islamic victories over the crusader victories and seemed to revert to a more 'war is bad' approach when covering the last 30-40 years without having the balance of stories of heroism. A brilliant book though. I bought it after reading Hastings' review of the film 'Belfast' in the Times. Hastings rightly pointed out that Catholics didn't attack protestants at first but instead welcomed the arrival of the army to protect them when the civil rights marches were getting beat up. A fair man.

Bought for my husband to keep him occupied over Christmas and it worked in that sense. The annoying thing is he finds it so interesting that he keeps reading out snippets to me and I'm more of a Strictly than Soldier fan!!Safe to say, it was an excellent Christmas present for him.

Max Hastings always delivers interesting to see how soldiers through history failed in times of conflict

Bought for son in law and he liked it