From Liddell Hart to Joan Littlewood: Studies in British Military History

by Brian Bond (Author)

• New

  Hardcover
  2015

  $31.40

  This volume brings together a selection of Brian Bond's most interesting contributions to books and journals on British military history in the 20th century. They are arranged around three large subjects: the First World War, the interwar decades, and the Second World War with concluding reflections on the author's Farewell to Arms at the end of a distinguished career in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London. Brief new introductions have been written to provide background information and contexts for each essay. Sir Basil Liddell Hart s name appropriately forms part of the titles since he was the author's original inspiration and mentor. His early career and influential publications on the First World War are critically discussed as is his later partnership with the reforming War Minister, Lesley Hore-Belisha. Professor Bond also acknowledges his tremendous debt to his research supervisor and founder of War Studies, Sir Michael Howard. Other essays provide fascinating examples of the author's main interests, including the Western Front and civil-military relations; the significance of post-1918 war memoirs; and the nadir of the Army's fortunes between the World Wars and its performance in France and Belgium in 1939-40. This section is complemented by case studies of Field Marshals Gort and Ironside. In recent years Professor Bond has been a leading critic of the Lions led by Donkeys school who have misrepresented and denigrated Britain's achievement in the First World War. His target, the concluding essay in this volume, are the historical shortcomings of the stage and film version of Oh! What a lovely War - hence the inclusion of Joan Littlewood's name in the title.REVIEWS This is Brian Bond at his very impressive best. The essays in this book, written over a long and distinguished career, span Britain s military contributions to the two great world wars of the 20th century, plus the critical inter-war period, and also how historians (and others!) have understood and interpreted these dramatic events ever since. Their range and quality reflect his place as one of the most important and influential British military historians, and the truth of his conviction that the study of war is essential to the understanding of British history. -Professor Stephen Badsey, University of Wolverhampton Generations of students of military history have benefited from Brian Bond s wise guidance in the Department of War Studies, King s College London, in the British Commission for Military History, and through his extensive writings. As one of those matured students, I take a particular delight in seeing Brian s writings collected together to remind us of the tremendous value of his contribution to our understanding of this endlessly fascinating subject. -- John Lee, British Commission for Military History This splendid collection of essays, written over a span of some forty-seven years, confirms Brian Bond reputation as the pre-eminent British military historian of his generation. The fact that Professor Bond has consistently maintained his level of outstanding scholarship over such a long period commands one s profound respect, and all the essays in this volume remain not only relevant and thought-provoking but also highly readable. -- Professor Peter Simkins