Book review of The Defence of Duffer's Drift

Author.

(a)    Credentials. The author of this book is Major General Sir Ernest Dunlop Swinton, KBE, CB, DSO, RE. He was born on 21^st October, 1868. He is a very popular British Army officer and successful military writer. He is been regarded as the man responsible for the adoption of tank in First World War. He also defined no-man’s land.

(b)   Other Works. He has written many books such as his autobiography known as Over My shoulder and twenty years after the battlefields of 1914-1918. Then and now.

Theme.

(c)    Genre. The Defence of duffer’s drift is a fiction book but after reading it you will wish that it was non-fiction.

(d)   Treatment of subject. The author has treated the subject in matured way where he is successful to maintain the interest of the readers.

(e)   Approach. Ernest has maintained a practical approach which is essential for military leaders of the future.

(f)     Characterization. Well there is only one character in the whole book and that is the author himself.

(g)    Language and style. Language is kept very simple for the understanding purpose and with the intention to make readers understand the style in which author has written is impressive.

(h)   Moral. The moral at the end are twenty two lessons for military leaders which they can use in active service.

Production Value.

(a)    Cover Binding. The book printed by United Service Magazine is of hard cover and ensures that you cannot spoil the book even you try as hard as possible.

(b)   Paper. The quality of paper is excellent, and leaves a good impression on the readers.

(c)    Printing. The book printed by United Service Magazine is magnificent. The size of the book is kept medium as military leaders can carry it with ease.

(d)   Maps. One military map of duffer’s drift is used in the book. Throughout the book the same map is used and no other image is there. The map is very helpful to understand the crisis which author is trying to explain.

(e)   Cost. In India the book cost only Rs. 85/-

Verdict.

(a)    Target Audience. The book targets the military intellectual and the young military leaders who are going to be company commanders in their army.

(b)   Value of work. I am no one to comment on value of work, as this work is hundred years old and still can be find in central library. Very important lessons derived out only for the military leaders.

Conclusion.

As the book is written for the young military leaders, it is like a guide for them. Twenty two lessons which seems less are very handy to lead troops in the battle. The only thing is that the book is very old, and doesn’t explain limited war tactics. It is a perfect book for conventional warfare.