Andrew Roberts
A Model of the Old School
Because Field Marshal Lord Wavell was removed from two very important posts – the Commandership-in-Chief of the Middle East and the Viceroyalty of India – he has gone down in history as an overall failure. This sympathetic biography goes some way towards redressing this harsh verdict, especially concerning the Indian part of his career.
Archibald Wavell was a fine example of the British Army officer of the old school. His family came over with William the Conqueror, both his father and grandfather were generals, he had a brilliant school career and was personally brave in action. A natural sportsman (especially golf and polo), captain
Sign Up to our newsletter
Receive free articles, highlights from the archive, news, details of prizes, and much more.@Lit_Review
Follow Literary Review on Twitter
'Catastrophe' as a category 'is too large and miscellaneous ... if there is a "correct" response to an earthquake, it is unlikely to have much in common with the "correct" response to an epidemic'.
Jonathan Sumption on Niall Ferguson's 'Doom'.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/prime-minister-versus-pathogen
'He has been arrested in the past and upon his release, he has cheerfully persisted in his activism. His courage is exemplary.’
@lucyjpop investigates Zargana, the renowned Burmese satirist recently arrested as part of a widespread military crackdown.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/zargana-2
A new biography of the archaeologist and explorer Charles Masson provides a 'tale of intrigue, espionage, blackmail, disguise, rebellion, treasure and the discovery of lost civilisations', says @BijanOmrani.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/our-man-in-kabul