Professor Hew Strachan is the Chichele Professor of the History of War at Oxford University, and the author of several highly acclaimed books on military history.
‘This is a book to buy if you aren’t lucky enough to be given it’ -- Christopher Hudson * Daily Mail Books of the Year * ‘I have seldom chanced upon a short book which so brilliantly brings to life and explains an immensely complex historical phenomenon’ -- Paul Johnson * Spectator * ‘Every chapter contains revelations . . . The level of erudition and insight brought to bear have made the familiar strange and stimulating. The way in which Strachan brings together the detail of events and the big picture to build a compelling narrative is masterly. It really is a massive achievement’ -- Stephen Bungay