As someone living with the after effects of the tour - my son was critically injured by an IED explosion - I thought this was an excellent (if difficult) read.
Toby pulls no punches in his narrative. The MOD should hang their heads in shame. Under resourced and poorly equipped The Guards were up against it. Their spirit and determination shine through and the humour is palpable.
People asked me didn't I get angry when my son was injured? At the time I was just incredibly thankful he was still with us, now reading the catalogue of failings and complete ineptitude of the "top brass" I am feeling anger. Anger on behalf of the families of those who didn't make it back, they lost so much and their lives changed forever, and on a lessor scale, anger for those (and there are many), like my son, whose lives and future will be such an ongoing struggle.

MOD - read and be shamed by your penny pinching, your internal politics, and your incompetance in managing scarce resources. Resources, I might add, that would have saved lives. Lt Colonel Thornaloe was right to criticise the lack of helicopters. The low metal content IED's put every single soldier at risk on a daily basis. Resupply missions by road, based on the IED threat? Justify that if you can.

Everyone else - read and understand our troops are truly outstanding.

Yes it is their job, but think back to BA cabin crew striking over their terms and conditions. The Welsh Guards, and every other soldier out in Helmand, show outstanding fortitude and bravery in difficult conditions whilst coping with appalling resources. I for one am incredibly proud of you all.