This is a collection of fifteen profiles, or essays if you like, on prominent fighting men of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, essentially concentrating on soldiers’ experiences on the battlefield. There is great variety in the men (and one woman) featured but all have demonstrated bravery and valor which makes for some stirring stories. The selection avoids many of the more well-known fighting men and is all the better for it. It’s a varied selection and provides the reader with a great starting point to read up on those who pique one’s interest.

The overriding theme is that of what makes someone a warrior and whilst it does highlight similarities between various individuals it fails to nail down a true commonality applying to all. Perhaps this is to be expected as the timescale and scope are so great, what makes a fighter a warrior surely changes over time as perceptions change. The other disappointing aspect is the profiles are essentially officers, either commissioned or enlisted men made up. I appreciate that the source documentation is skewed towards officers and awards are very much biased that way but the omission of the ordinary ranks is very much noticeable.

As one would expect from this author the writing is excellent and the research thorough. A good entertaining read albeit one with flaws.

Max Hastings always a good read, and this book is no exception. His scholarship is first class and his writing highly informative.

Struggled to finish this book- think I made a wrong choice.