5.0 out of 5 stars A most thorough and readable book

n.M.T. · 7 May 2021

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } The author is clearly well qualified to write this unusual account about a little known but very professional soldier. General Monro was a most reticent subject and yet was an important influence in transforming the army that fought the Boers into the army that eventually defeated the Kaiser's forces in the trenches of the Western Front. My interest arose from the criticism by Churchill: "He came, he saw, he capitulated".In reality it was very fortunate that such a competent and independently minded officer was available to oversee the necessary retreat from Gallipoli in 1915. Despite the success of the withdrawal it was regarded by Churchill as a surrender. Twenty-five years later, he was obliged to describe the more costly retreat from France as a victory and the officer in charge as a 'hero'.All in all an excellent, readable description of what it like to be a very professional British soldier during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Forgotten General Who Deserves Better

J. · 23 July 2017

Although this book is about an individual it clearly lays out how the 'war to end all wars' developed in the way that it did. General Monro and his peers come across as thoroughly professional soldiers seeking to combat the problems that rapid advances in technology bring. They are human, they make mistakes but that is the nature of war which is a confused affair at the best of times.In following Monro through his early career (often termed 'colonial policing') to the First World War it becomes abundantly clear that Monro is a product of a first class regiment with high standards which, throughout the remainder of his career, he imposes on others whilst retaining their loyalty and affection. In particular his work at the School of Musketry and his insistence on learning to fire rapidly and effectively was an underlying reason for the BEF's survival in the first few months of conflict.This is a tremendous read that takes us beyond France, to Gallipoli (where we gains some insights into Rupert Murdoch's father's role in reporting events), to India and finally Gibraltar. A product of his time, Monro is very much a forgotten General who deserves better, Patrick Crowley has done well to bring the story to life in a book that is a delight to read.

4.0 out of 5 stars General Munro

G.B. · 16 June 2017

Patrick Crowley is a good author and writes in a relaxed manner so that the book is easy to read and to understand the subject matter. Mr Crowley writes about an interesting military character.

5.0 out of 5 stars Patrick Crowley is to be congratulated on a very well researched and most attractively produced book with many useful maps and i

A.C. · 15 October 2016

General Monro has long deserved to be given due recognition for his highly significant achievements before, during and after the First World War. Patrick Crowley has done an outstanding job in producing a full length study of the life and times of the soldier who not only masterminded the evacuation of allied troops from Gallipoli at the end of 1915 but also did so much to improve British infantry firepower and tactics in the pre-war years and, later, as Commander-in-Chief in India, 1916-20, to raise more Indian soldiers for active service in the later stages of the war and its aftermath. Whilst giving Monro a favourable assessment for these achievements (and rightly exonerating him from Churchill's false accusation that he 'capitulated' at Gallipoli), the author does not shirk from criticising Monro for his share of the blame for the costly failure at Fromelles in 1916 and his rather inconsistent attitude towards Brigadier Dyer after the shocking massacre at Amritsar in 1919. Patrick Crowley is to be congratulated on a very well researched and most attractively produced book with many useful maps and interesting illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and accessible insight into a little known but influential General.

". · 16 October 2016

This is an outstanding book that provides an extremely interesting insight into the life of a little known but highly influential figure in British Military History.I recommend to both military enthusiasts and more general readers as it is extremely accessible. Monro's life is portrayed against a back drop of both military and social developments and changing attitudes that were occurring at the time of his life. As an Old Shirburnian myself, I was particularly interested in learning more about life at Sherborne school during his time. It therefore sparks a greater interest in the individual as well as the period of history.I look forward to the next study and topic that Patrick Crowley chooses to explore. See Kut 1916 for his previous work.

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly recommended read.

A.C. · 31 October 2016

An engaging book about the life of Monro which is well narrated and includes a number of interesting historic pictures covering this overlooked and understated General’s life. Patrick Crowley has produced a very interesting and engaging book on the life and times of an important military personality who is relatively unknown. A highly recommended read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended read.

A.C. · 30 October 2016

A fascinating read of an important figure from the early 20th century in Britain but who is relatively unknown. Patrick Crowley has shed light on an interesting character, who deserves to be remembered, in a thoroughly readable manner. Highly recommended read.