Wavell: Soldier and Statesman [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

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Review
'A brilliant detailed journey through the complex history of Kashmir' -- Literary Review on KASHMIR IN CONFLICT 'Schofield succeeds admirably by keeping the plight of ordinary Kashmiris to the fore. Her account is scrupulous' -- Independent on KASHMIR IN CONFLICT 'One of the best general introductions to the most dangerous place on earth' -- New Statesman on KASHMIR IN CONFLICT 'Field Marshal Lord Wavell...has gone down in history as an overall failure. This sympathetic biography goes some way towards redressing this harsh verdict, especially concerning the Indian part of his career' - Andrew Roberts -- Literary Review 20060401 'She is eminently fair, knows Asia well, describes his campaigns lucidly and concisely, and has produced a book which may not be the last word on Wavell but is a great deal nearer to it than anything that has appeared before' - Philip Ziegler -- The Spectator 20060408 'This well-researched and overdue biography shows [Wavell] for what he was, a true servant of his king and country.' -- The Field 20060601 'In this excellent biography, Victoria Schofield puts the record straight' -- Hugh Massingberd, Country Life 20060527 'Schofield's biography is sympathetic towards Wavell without becoming adulatory' -- Justin Wintle, Financial Times Magazine 20060429 '[Schofield's] book is a worthy tribute to a great man.' -- TLS, Jon Latimer 20060707

Product Description
Wavell was one of Britain's great military leaders. With extraordinary resilience, he faced triumph and disaster in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. His renowned victory in the Western desert was matched by the ignominy of the surrender at Singapore and the evacuation from Burma. Wavell's appointment as Viceroy of India was even more challenging, as he began its arduous move to independence. Yet behind such distinction lay an enigmatic man, equally celebrated for his unexpected silences as for his prolific memory and love of poetry.Drawing upon unpublished letters and diaries, together with interviews with the last surviving generation who knew him, she reveals the hopes, fears and the difficulties Wavell faced. Appointed and yet chastised by Winston Churchill, the failure of one of the most important relationships of WW2 is laid bare.From this beautifully written, well-researched book Wavell emerges as a man of tremendous sensitivity, a soldier and a statesman, for whom duty was paramount and who, despite his taciturn behaviour, inspired exceptional loyalty.In a world where the origins of today's conflicts lie in yesterday's wars, the story of Wavell's life holds a timeless fascination.

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2 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant and sympathetic biography, 30 Jun 2006 By  An Historian (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews This is a brillantly researched and well-written book, the result of many years of considerable effort. And it has paid off with a massive, readable and authoritative work. Wavell was clearly a very capable man but flawed as a leader of men. Ms Schofield reveals how this intellectual and shy warrior lacked the chutzpah of a Patton or a Montgomery and the political skills of an Alanbrooke or an Eisenhower. Great generals need luck. And Wavell had little if any. He was associated with two of the worst debacles of WW2, Crete and Singapore. And he just could not get on with Churchill (and vice-versa) - which meant he was moved around from post to post. Wavell did however achieve some stunning successes in Africa early on in the war when Britain was starved of resources. This book is a reminder that until Pearl Harbor, Britain and its imperial allies stood alone in the defence of civilization. The courage, tenacity and toughness of men like Wavell meant that Nazi Germany failed to prevail. It defies belief that there is apparently no statue of him in London, a national disgrace which should be rectified as soon as possible. Ms Scofield has achieved an historical masterpice. She writes like a dream. The research is very thorough. And for any reader with the slightest interest either in military history, World War Two or the origins of independent India and Pakistan, this is a "must read". I think I would have liked a few more maps. Perhaps in the paperback edition? Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Tribute, 20 Mar 2007 By  Jon Latimer (Wales) - See all my reviews In August 1939, 56-year old General Sir Archibald Wavell was appointed commander of the newly created Middle East Command. 'The Chief', as he was popularly known, performed prodigious feats of generalship; vastly outnumbered everywhere, and controlling simultaneous campaigns that eventually encompassed nine countries on three continents. He faced colossal difficulties, not least being his relationship with the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who grossly underestimated him, and described Wavell as only 'a good average colonel'. If Churchill was a lover of romantic war, Wavell was in many ways the antithesis of the Churchillian model, and their relationship suffered accordingly. Ms Schofield succeeds in illuminating this unfortunate mutual misunderstanding, and she doesn't spare Wavell's mistakes such as the abortive expedition to Greece in 1941. In 1936 Dudley Clarke was appointed to Wavell's staff, and was overjoyed when he was summoned once more in 1940. However, Ms Schofield misses the enormous importance of Clarke's appointment: to head a deception unit that became known as 'A' Force. This developed the principles and methods of deception that covered the Normandy Landings in 1944. That a policy of aggressive strategic deception was both desirable and possible was essentially down to Wavell, but this significant contribution to the war is overlooked. And although she has rigorously mined the private papers, Ms Schofield seems to have ignored many useful published sources, such as Eve Curie's detailed description of Wavell following her visit to his headquarters in 1942. But this is a fine portrait nevertheless. In 1943 Wavell became Viceroy of India, and with Indian independence looming was replaced by Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1947. Had Wavell remained then perhaps his thoughtful and considered approach could have avoided partition. Instead he received an earldom for his services and died, aged just 67, in 1950. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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