"Barry, who served in senior positions in the army until 2010, tells this history with candor. His book is authoritative, detailed, and readable." -- Foreign Affairs "An impressively detailed chronicle by an analyst well up to the task. Read it and weep." -- Allan Mallinson, The Spectator "The author is among the best-informed commentators on our armed forces." --Max Hastings, The Times "Ben Barry combines the intimate knowledge of the insider with the objectivity of the strategic commentator." -- Sir Hew Strachan "This highly authoritative book will please professional soldier and interested civilian alike." -- Field Marshal Lord David Richards "This timely book is a love letter to the British Army, written by a man whose experience of the army spans all of the five decades under review.

" -- Dr Robert Lyman, co-author of 'Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-40' "This is quite simply a superb discussion of the British Army's engagement with thinking and doctrine over recent decades." -- Brian Holden Reid, Emeritus Professor of American History and Military Institutions, Department of War Studies, King's College London "This excellent title offers profound insights." -- British Army Review "The book deserves recommendation to any audience interested in contemporary British defence policy and its evolving armed forces." -- The Naval Review "This is a landmark publication that will long remain the standard work on the subject." --Dr Paul Winter, The TLS "This highly readable and compelling book deserves to be on the reading list of all serving officers and warrant officers of the British Army." --Mungo Melvin, The RUSI Journal "Authoritative, detailed and readable." -- Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman.