Leading from the Front: The Autobiography

AsChiefoftheGeneralStaff,SirRichardDannattwasinoverallcommandoftheBritisharmyforthethreeyearsfrom2006.ThisperiodsawsomeofthefiercestfightingyetinAfghanistan,andnewandincreasedpressuresandexpectationplacedonthearmy.FromhisveryfirstdayinthejobGeneralDannattprovedhimselfacourageousleaderandaforcefuladvocateforthearmy,nevershyingfromcontroversytotellitashefoundit.Dannatt'sdistinguishedcareerinthearmyhasspannedthirty-eightyearsandseenhimserveinmanydifferenttheatresofconflict,fromNorthernIreland(wherehewasawardedtheMilitaryCross)toBosniaandKosovo,IraqandAfghanistan.HisexperiencesforgedhisunwaveringloyaltytothefightingBritishsoldier.Morethananyleaderinrecenttimes,DannatthasusedhispositionofcommandtoargueforimprovedpayandconditionsforBritishsoldiers,agreaterdialoguebetweenthearmyandthecountry,therightequipmentforthetroopstodothejobaskedofthem,andgreaterwelfareandsupportbackhomeforthewounded.Hisleadershiphasshapedthedebateabouttheroleofamodernarmyinmodernwarfare."LeadingfromtheFront"isRichardDannatt'sfascinatingreflectiononalifeofmilitaryserviceandoffershischaracteristicallyfrankanalysisofwhetherBritain'sdefencestrategyisfittorespondtothethreatswewillfaceinthe21stcentury.