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Slim: The Standardbearer
‘Slim was a disarmingly normal human being, possessed of notable self-knowledge. His calm, robust style of leadership and concern for the interests of his men won the admiration of all who served under him...Only his soldiers never wavered in their devotion.’ Sir Max Hastings This portrait is matched in a brilliant biography by Ronald Lewin. It documents the life of William Slim in the two World Wars, the inter-war years he spent in India and time spent in Burma, as leader of the 14th Army, where he was known as Uncle Bill to his soldiers. Born into a Bristolian family, Field Marshal the Viscount Slim (1891-1970) was blessed with none of the advantages of wealth and social position that eased the progress of many army officers. With no armoury apart from his integrity, his personality and his intellect, he rose to the pinnacle of his profession as one of the finest fighting Generals of World War II on either side. During World War II, he led the ‘Forgotten Army’ to victory, recapturing Burma in a series of brilliant second Arakan, Imphal, Kohima and Mandalay. Beloved by his troops, even the gallant but unruly Australians, with whom he had an uncanny understanding, he served as CIGS, as an ever-popular Governor-General of Australia, and finally as Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle. Winner of WHSmith Literary Award Ronald Lewin (1914-1984) was field artillery officer with the Eighth Army. He made a successful post-war career in the upper echelons of the BBC before leaving to devote himself to military history. He is the author of several books on World War II including Rommel as Military Commander, Churchill as Warlord and Hitler’s Mistakes. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1976
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About the author
Ronald Lewin
17 books7 followersRonald Lewin was a British military historian, radio producer and publishing editor who has wrote several books on World War II and several of the WWII commanders like Lieut-General Vyvyan Pope, Montgomery and Rommel.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2024
The best that can be said is that Lewin potrays the warmth in Slim's common-touch character, but this sympathy still makes for a slim biography if you want to prepare tackling "Defeat into Victory". Louis Allen's "Burma" has served that purpose better.
March 8, 2018
Well executed biography of Lord Slim of Burma. It is well researched and beautifully written. Slim was the epitome of the English gentleman soldier. This should be required reading at West Point and Sandhurst.
November 17, 2023
Bust.
I've had Lewin's works on my to read list for over a decade but in all cases I've been disappointed. These are not tactical, operational or strategic histories/analysis of the war but rather books on leadership or national hero worship.
Engagements are not described or analysed in any real way.
I've had Lewin's works on my to read list for over a decade but in all cases I've been disappointed. These are not tactical, operational or strategic histories/analysis of the war but rather books on leadership or national hero worship.
Engagements are not described or analysed in any real way.
January 2, 2017
Willim J. Slim was a somewhat unlikely major figure in World War II. He came from a less than grand background, his father being unsuccessful in his business career. As a result, Slim went into the British military. In World War I, he survived the ghastly Gallipoli campaign and then served in what is now Iraq. After that, service in the Indian Army. World War II? He made his major contribution as an officer in Burma, and is often overlooked as a result.
He began WW II as a corps commander. The British were driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Slim had become commander of British forces when they reengaged in Burma. The book does a good job of describing his strategic and tactical sense as, slowly, the British began to take control against the Japanese. Slim made major contributions as commander. He developed a good working relationship with Lord Mountbatten, a leader in the far eastern campaign. This stood him in good stead when he was the target of a sacking, even after some impressive successes in the theater.
The book does a nice job, on the one hand, describing his "comeback" in Burma. However, the book is not very well written and there is a paucity of maps to help the reader make sense of his campaigns. And, sometimes, the text becomes confusing with its enumeration of units and oddities like a discussion of General Wingate;s death--followed by many pages about the tense relations between him and Slim.
Still, if one is interested in the less well known campaigns of the far east, this is a good, solid work. As well, one gets a sense of Slim's later career--quite successful.
He began WW II as a corps commander. The British were driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Slim had become commander of British forces when they reengaged in Burma. The book does a good job of describing his strategic and tactical sense as, slowly, the British began to take control against the Japanese. Slim made major contributions as commander. He developed a good working relationship with Lord Mountbatten, a leader in the far eastern campaign. This stood him in good stead when he was the target of a sacking, even after some impressive successes in the theater.
The book does a nice job, on the one hand, describing his "comeback" in Burma. However, the book is not very well written and there is a paucity of maps to help the reader make sense of his campaigns. And, sometimes, the text becomes confusing with its enumeration of units and oddities like a discussion of General Wingate;s death--followed by many pages about the tense relations between him and Slim.
Still, if one is interested in the less well known campaigns of the far east, this is a good, solid work. As well, one gets a sense of Slim's later career--quite successful.
August 8, 2013
This book informed me in great detail and with great skill and careful wording on the life and skills of the Field Marshal Slim. While in the beginning of this book I was reluctant to admit to the author's claim that the Viscount should be considered the second military man in British history after John Churchill, I am now inclined to agree with that statement -- so powerful and convincing would I describe this book.
A good deal of quotes have been added in to enliven the storytelling, and that only enhances the plentiful qualities of this work.
A good deal of quotes have been added in to enliven the storytelling, and that only enhances the plentiful qualities of this work.
August 8, 2016
Good overview of Slim's life with the emphasis on his years with the 14th Army and their gallant return to Burma. I have always felt that Slim did not receive the total recognition that his service deserved, possibly because of too much focus on Montgomery and the Europeon Theatre.
The author is definitely an admirer of Slim, which clearly shows through in the descriptions of his many services to the army and his country. The Field Marshal made some mistakes, but, by and large, did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances.
The author is definitely an admirer of Slim, which clearly shows through in the descriptions of his many services to the army and his country. The Field Marshal made some mistakes, but, by and large, did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews