GENERALS

by Mark Urban

Mark Urban tells the story of ten exceptional generals who left their mark on Britain, the British Empire, and the world. Some - including the Duke of Wellington, Lord Kitchener and Bernard Montgomery - are names etched in the national mythology. Others are unsung heroes and shadowy presences whose achievements or failures may have had consequences quite different to those they had intended.

All ten of these generals revealed either a brilliant ability or a fatal flaw. Success or failure depended largely on their ability to work within Britain's Parliamentary democracy - and against tyrants, despots and emperors who were often free to act alone.

Mark Urban, the acclaimed author of Rifles and Fusiliers, is now one of our foremost experts on military history.

'One of the most intelligent books on the British Army I have ever read.' Allan Mallinson

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, War, British Literature

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2005

About the author

Mark Urban is a British journalist, author and broadcaster, and is currently the Diplomatic Editor for BBC Two's Newsnight.

Reviews

[Clive Grewcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book where the detail exceeds my interest so not an end to end read for me and I just dipped in and out. That said as is always the case with Mark Urban it is accessible and readable and if military history is you'll thing you'll get a lot out of it.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rate this a solid 3.5 stars. The discussion of military tactics gets very dry at times, and the choice of some generals compare rather dully to others (Monck, Marlborough, Gordon & Kitchener especially). When this book is on fire, the examination of personal characteristics and military career combine to produce something rather seductive...I only wish every general chosen for this book came off as interesting...but I'll take what I can get.

[David Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on some of the more influential British generals. Urban tell their stories in a way that's mostly narrative based, with the use of anecdotes thrown in frequently.

While this is an interesting look at the figures concerned, it is by no means in depth and at times the focus ranges wildly from battles, tactics, reform, and personality.

There doesn't seem to be much of a common theme throughout this book, but it doesn't make it any less enjoyable, just slightly frustrating

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about an interesting set of men. Urban has selected his figures as much for their lasting impact as for their abilities or temperament - at least some of them were as significant failures or bad influences rather than good ones.

On this basis, the political and self-promotional abilities of the generals are judged as significant as their military ones, and overall the British Army comes off rather poorly, in the General Staff at least. Urban has taken the line common as WWI, that the Redcoats and later Tommies were "lions led by donkeys", at least as far as most of the generals were concerned.

As a comparison with Lambert's book Admirals, it holds water, and certainly doesn't disgrace Urban's reputation as a fine popular history, with a knowledge of his topic and the ability to develop a consistent and compelling narrative.

[David Myles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of selected military biographies which are self selected from the author's perspective, and with an eye to impact on the Army rather than heros. No Cromwell, Wolfe or Clive here, however some do not deserve to be in this sort of pantheon and others are missing. It is as always with these books of selective biographies written from the authors perspective so we have two British tank generals and the last commander of major cavalry actions representing the 20th century, with only limited mention of the infantry meat grinder of the western front.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide range of generals dissected, not in depth but enough to give you a good feel for each of them.
Interesting that in following the historical sequence of the generals you also follow the ‘decline’ in Britains command of multinational armies.
Enjoyable and informative.

[Axel Widjojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never all that acquainted with military history, especially that of the British army, but what Mark Urban has managed to achieve with this book was to persuade (or, to at least present his point of view) me that these ten figures really are vital to the development of the British army.

I would say that this book can either function as a starting point in getting one's feet wet on British military history--though admittedly quite 'fractured' in that it doesn't focus specifically on one time period or properly examines all of the time period--or as an addition to one's own knowledge of British generals.

Either way, I find that 'Generals' was an enjoyable and fascinating read, and generally sticks to the main topic which was "why did the author choose to cover these ten people, anyway?" without venturing too much into mundane topics, overanalysis and too many details. A good read, and will probably induce the reader into a more thorough investigation on certain characters mentioned after he is finished with this book.

[Raimo Wirkkala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eminently readable and interesting history of the British military and the 10 men who most influenced that history. My one quibble would be in regards to the chapter about Monty wherein the author is guilty of minimizing the "MarketGarden" fiasco. One must keep in mind that the author is an Englishman.

[Steve G**** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the dip in/out readability of this book. It exposed and educated me on a number of Generals that, in some cases I knew little about and even less their impact & legacies. It’s driven me to broaden and deepen my own knowledge & understanding on certain characters who I thought I knew!

[Rupert Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Author managed to blend a good overview with enough detail to let you know what was going on on the ground. An interesting take on the meaning of military generalship in a democratic society.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Urban tells the tales of ten British commanders who led the army through various defeats and victories. Entertaining and educational