Architect of Victory by Walter Reid

Architect of Victory by Walter Reid

Douglas Haig's popular image as an unimaginative butcher is unenviable and unmerited. In fact, he masterminded a British-led victory over a continental opponent on a scale that has never been matched before or since. Contrary to myth, Haig was not a cavalry-obsessed, blinkered conservative, as satirised in Oh! What a Lovely War and Blackadder Goes Forth. Fascinated by technology, he pressed for the use of tanks, enthusiastically embraced air power, and encouraged the use of new techniques involving artillery and machine-guns. Above all, he presided over a change in infantry tactics from almost total reliance on the rifle towards all-arms, multi-weapons techniques that formed the basis of British army tactics until the 1970s. Prior re-evaluations of Haig's achievements have largely been limited to monographs and specialist writings. Walter Reid has written the first biography of Haig that takes into account modern military scholarship, giving a more rounded picture of the private man than has previously been available. What emerges is a picture of a comprehensible human being, not necessarily particularly likeable, but honourably ambitious, able and intelligent, and the man more than any other responsible for delivering victory in 1918.

'A biography that is not just academically credible but which is also a very good readI shall be very surprised if it does not sell'

-- Gordon Corrigan, Military Historian and Broadcaster

'A thoughtful reassessment'

* Stand To! *

'Sharp and clear...swift and surefooted'

* The Scotsman *

'A careful biographer'

* Times Literary Supplement *

'Those new to the Haig debate will receive a good introduction. Those already familiar with the subject matter will enjoy Reid's writing style and reflective moments'

* The British Army Review *

'Walter Reid's account of one of the most controversial figures in modern British history is both fair and just, two achievements that have eluded many writers on Douglas Haig. He has the historian's eye, which can see the significance of the apparently inconsequential'

-- John Bourne, University of Birmingham

'An outstanding success. The argument is beautifully presented and written in very clear English. This is a substantial work which follows the rules of classical biography'

* Politique étrangère *

Walter Reid studied at the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh and is the author of a number of acclaimed biographies and books of military and political history. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781841585178
ISBN 10	1841585173
Title	Architect of Victory
Author	Walter Reid
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Birlinn General
Year published	2006-10-12
Number of pages	496
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.