From Wellington''s battles against the French in Spain to the horrors of deadly house-to-house fighting by US Marines in Fallujah, this unique history of the soldier provides a penetrating insight into the politics, emotions and psychology of war and its aftermath.

Drawing upon hundreds of narrative accounts of warfare written by soldiers (and sailors, airmen and marines) from many nations, including contemporary accounts from Iraq and Afghanistan, Darren Moore''s book, in the words of Martin Bell OBE, ''really gets inside the soldier''s mind, and benefits from setting out the record without sentiment. It is a timely and unvarnished reminder of the reality of warfare.''

''A thoughtful study of the impact of fighting on the individual soldier... Moore is particularly good on the intense bonds of comradeship that develop between frontline troops.''
Daily Mail