In this analysis of the combat capability of the British army in World War II, David French shows that after 1918 the General Staff tried hard to learn the lessons of World War I, enthusiastically embracing technology as the best way of minimizing future casualties.

`It will become required reading for any study of the British experience in the Second World War.' The Journal of Military History `French's book is a must read for any serious student of British military history. It is also a necessary study for all modern military commanders; the lessons of doctrinal evaluation and creation, as well as implementation, that are dealt with have great applicability for today.' Greg Kennedy, Journal of Defence Studies `Here, for the first time, is a thorough and scholarly dissection of the vital elements that were responsible for moulding the British Army into what it was and what it became during the war.' Greg Kennedy, Journal of Defence Studies `David French has written the definitive study of how and why the British Army fought the way it did in the Second World War. This work, along with his previous four books on British strategic thought and the First World War, establishes French as one of Britain's foremost historians. His most recent book is not buttons, trumpets and battlefield tour history: it is military history for adults.' Greg Kennedy, Journal of Defence Studies `a comprehensive, well-researched, and thoughtful study.' Robert Larson, American Historical Review `arresting new study ... a bold book - the boldness of its conception too easily taken for granted - as stimulating and discriminating as anything in the field since the iconoclastic Firepower: British Army Weapons and Theories of War 1904-1945 (1982) by Shelford Bidwell and Dominick Graham ... His work is a comprehensive exercise in ground-clearing, and a searching assessment of each element of fighting power ... here is the Lockean underlabourer lovingly at work, cool under fire in the beaten zone, removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way of knowledge. It is a noble calling, and it makes a convincing book.' Alex Danchev, Times Literary Supplement `As French weaves together his argument, he provides many useful bits of information about the British Army. The writing style is such that non-specialists will have little trouble following French's argument. It is a formidable study of the British Army before and during the Second World War.' Dr. Matthews Hughes, University College Northampton, RUSI. `French's study is based on an exhaustive examination of previously unused primary material, and as such it will stand as the definitive work on the structure of the British Army between 1919 and 1945 ... it will win a devoted following from specialists in the history of World War II.' John P. Rossi, History, Summer 2000. `masterful and fascinating book ... not just a military history but a carefully woven account of the political, economic, social, and personal elements that illustrate the way that an army is equipped and led, and how and why it fights.' I.M. Roth, CHOICE, Jan 2001. `His book deserves a wider audience than its title suggests. Highly recommended.' I.M. Roth, CHOICE, Jan 2001. `this formidable study ... lucid introduction ... The writing style is such that non-specialists will have little trouble following French's argument.' Dr Matthew Hughes, R U S I Jnl, Dec. 2000. `French succeeds admirably in modifying the judgement of those who have contrasted the British army's performance unfavourably with that of the Germans. As he remarks, 'the British had never believed that they could win their battles by pitting man against man, and indeed they never believed that they should even try to do so'. In the end, it was better to be soldiers than warriors.' Reviews in History `this book ... is essential for anyone seriously interested in the British Army and modern military history.' Dr Matthew Hughes, R U S I Jnl, Dec. 2000. `this book makes a key contribution to the debate about how the British fought the Second World War, and why the Allies took so long to win it.' Max Hastings, Yorkshire Post, 6th July 2000. `David French's book makes compelling reading for any serious student of the Second World War.' Max Hastings, Yorkshire Post, 6th July 2000.