Review by Choice Review
De Groot (St. Andrews) has written a valuable and scholarly biography of Field Marshal Earl Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium during the last three years of WW I. De Groot devotes much more attention to Haig's upbringing, the development of his personality and character before he became a soldier, and his development as a soldier prior to the Great War than do earlier notable biographies by Duff Cooper (1935), John Terraine (1963), and James Marshall-Cornwall (CH, Feb '74). De Groot consciously states his purpose as seeking the middle ground in the long-standing debate between the critics and defenders of Haig's generalship, a difficult if not impossible task. He has, however, written a truly critical biography, and his well-argued conclusion comes as close to being fair and balanced as any previous study of Haig. De Groot writes: "It is impossible to deny that in the end Haig won the war. But his victory should not be interpreted as a vindication of his methods or an exoneration of his character. . . ." This well-written and readable book is based upon extensive primary and secondary sources. Source notes; 11 maps; 16 well-reproduced illustrations; useful bibliography. An essential acquisition for any academic library with an interest in modern military history. -R. S. Fraser, University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
