Notes From a Small Military: I commanded and fought with 2 para at the Battle of Goose Green. I was head of Counter Terrorism for the MoD. This is my story.

by Chip Chapman

Stumbling from a university anarchist meeting into a career in the army, Chip Chapman is conscious of how very incompetent he is. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst confirms his worst fears. He is eventually let loose on 6 Platoon of 2 PARA and, via the Falklands War, manages to elevate himself to a position of conscious competence and save his career. An insight into a generation of soldiering in the late 20th century and beyond, this hilarious, touching, informative, and thought-provoking memoir is set against the drumbeat of the social, cultural, and legal rhythms of the age, and the change from the certainties of the Cold War to the nihilism of 9/11. With shades of David Niven’s The Moon’s a Balloon, Lesley Thomas’s Virgin Soldiers, and the travelogs of Bill Bryson, Chapman captures the rawness, spirit, and fortitude of the soldier in both peace and war.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Leah Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Major-General Chip Chapman takes the reader through many events with mild humour and expressive opinions amongst those he has worked with and the locations he has been. It did become rather repetitive towards the last 50 pages.

[Michael Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for anyone interested in the modern British Army. Also a surprisingly funny book!