Allan Mallinson

Monty, the Bull, and the Grand Old Duke of York

Generals: Ten British Commanders Who Shaped the World

By

Faber & Faber 336pp £20 order from our bookshop

When I was military attaché in Rome, an Alpini general once asked me who were the ten greatest British generals. I replied that there would not be much argument about the top five but that opinion would vary regarding the others. Before I could name one, however, he put his hand on my shoulder and said: ‘The point is, we don’t have a single great general. How do you think that makes an Italian officer feel?’

Sign Up to our newsletter

Receive free articles, highlights from the archive, news, details of prizes, and much more.

Follow Literary Review on Twitter