Imprint
- John Murray
- John Murray
Prose: non-fiction, General & world history, Military history, Warfare & defence, Humour
Huzzah! A cornucopia of military blunders.
War brings out the very best and worst in people although, frankly, its usually the latter. But for all our thousands of years of practice at this most dangerous art there is precious little evidence that we're either outgrowing it or getting any good at it. It is an occupation filled with heroism, genius, hubris, idiocy and blind panic all bought on at least in part by large measures of astonishingly good and bad luck - and they're all here in Charge!.
This is not a book filled with battle diagrams swarming with arrows or 100,000 word descriptions of the tactical basis for the Pastry War. It is a book about the smaller tragedies and triumphs that actually go to make up the big picture - toilets that sink U-boats, unsporting attacks on Christmas day, armies that stop for tea, bombs on renegade balloons, drunk generals, blind kings, blind drunk generals, circular warships, and all the joy and misery that such things bring with them. And an interesting bit about the Pastry War.
More books by Justin Pollard
Praise for Charge!: The Interesting Bits of Military History
-
The book is both factually interesting and comical, illustrating the sometimes monumental mistakes that have decided wars for centuries while revealing some truly enthralling pieces of military history - Catholic Herald, Christian Cudd
-
Barmy Armies: tales of derring-do (and derring-don't) - Independent
-
A damn fine and mirthful read, especially those sections that - rightfully - give the rise to the perfidious French! - Damien Lewis, bestselling author of Apache Dawn
-
Even if this book can't eliminate all future military blunders, it will be invaluable for preparing witty after-dinner speeches - Diplomat Magazine
-
WAR may be hell, but Justin Pollard in a new book, Charge!, has unearthed some funny and strange episodes in military history - Dover Express & Folkestone Herald
-
It's a great collection of really interesting titbits, anecdotes, drunken generals, circular boats, and a war allegedly started by a bit of pastry - Birmingham Mail
Find a book you’ll love, get our Word Up newsletter
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
.png?auto=compress&w=150&h=60&fit=crop&fm=jpg)
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
