{"product_id":"commanders-paperback-softback","title":"Commanders - Paperback \/ softback","description":"Originally published in 1984, this book tells the story of sixteen of Australia’s most eminent military men, as they performed under the stress of strategy-making and in the heat of battle.In scrutinising critical periods in the careers of such men as Brudenell White, Chauvel, Monash, Gordon Bennett, Blamey and Scherger, it addresses a number of fascinating questions:\u003cul\u003e   Is there an Australian style of command?  How well have Australian officers been prepared for high command?  How have Australian commanders handled the problems of coalition way or co-operation with allies?  How have political direction, organisational structures and entrenched defence policy affected the performance of commanders in the field?Each re-evaluation compares performance with reputation. Some of the figures examined are familiar (What was the real basis of Monash’s reputation as a commander? Was Blamey worthy of the field-marshal’s baton?); some are given an appraisal long denied them.This roll-call of some of Australia’s greatest warriors presents a fascinating picture of the realities of war at the top. Each of the sixteen lives examined presents a revealing account of the conditions under which crucial military decisions are made and carried out – on the battlefield, at headquarters, in victory and defeat. The Commanders will appeal not only to students of military affairs but to everyone interested in Australian history and biography.\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Taylor \u0026 Francis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44575509151982,"sku":"9780367635725","price":50.39,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/9612\/7726\/files\/9780367635725_d398dca2-172a-491c-8faf-26524712f00c.jpg?v=1705715791","url":"https:\/\/bookland.com.au\/products\/commanders-paperback-softback","provider":"Book Land AU","version":"1.0","type":"link"}