Giving Neville Chamberlain a free pass...

Simon Heffer's review of Richard Dannatt's and my book in the Sunday Telegraph today

I’m pleased that Simon Heffer has written a review of Victory to Defeat, General Lord Dannatt and my new book on the British Army between 1918 and 1940. I’m also pleased that he was able to review Ian Beckett’s new book on the British Army, which we are looking forward to reading. Ian has been a mentor to me for the whole of my professional life. He taught me at Sandhurst in 1981 and subsequently sponsored my applications for an in-service degree in the Army, my PhD and more latterly, my fellowship of the Royal Historical Society. He is a fine historian and a firm friend.

For those who cannot access it any other way, Simon Heffer’s review is here:

Fortunately, sub stack allows me the right of reply. I would merely observe that giving Neville Chamberlain - an honourable man and an admirable politician in many ways - a free pass for buying Spitfires and Hurricanes while leaving the Army prostrate after two decades of political parsimony is not something we could support. Chamberlain should be recognised for rearmament, a brave political move at the time, but it is also true that his opposition to the idea of another war in Europe made him the last man to consider preparing the Army for the inevitable.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the review and the book when it is launched next month.

If you want a copy signed by both Richard and me you can get them directly from Coles Books in Bicester. You can order here: https://coles-books.co.uk/victory-to-defeat-by-richard-dannatt-robert-lyman-signed-edition.