Description

---

'Charles Guthrie has been one of Britain's foremost soldiers as well as a terrific personality throughout his remarkable life. It is great that he is now telling his own story.' - Sir Max Hastings

Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie commanded at every level in the British Army from platoon to army group, and was Britain's senior military commander at a time of great change. He oversaw the modernization of the armed forces following the Cold War years and led Britain's military involvement in operations in the Balkans and Sierra Leone.

Charles Guthrie was commissioned into the British Army in 1959 at a time when Britain's influence was shrinking throughout the world, and Peace, War and Whitehall describes his operational experience with both the Welsh Guards and 22 SAS in Aden, Malaya, East Africa, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.

As a senior officer he commanded the Welsh Guards during an operational tour of the Bandit Country of South Armagh at the height of the Troubles, before leading an armoured brigade in Germany in the midst of the Cold War, and eventually being appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Army of the Rhine and Northern Army Group as the Cold War ended and the former Yugoslavia began to disintegrate into savage internecine warfare.

Peace, War and Whitehall details Lord Guthrie's extraordinary career from a young platoon commander through to Chief of the Defence Staff.

About the Author

---

Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB, GCVO, OBE, DL, was commissioned in 1959 and served with the Welsh Guards and the Special Air Service. He was Commander of NATO's Northern Army Group, 1992–93, Chief of the General Staff, 1994–97 and Chief of the Defence Staff, 1997–2001. He became a member of the House of Lords in 2001.

Praise For…

---

“Pithy, humorous, engaging but above all wise… will guide future generations of our military leaders, but will also fascinate the general reader for their insights into how world-changing decisions are made.” —Professor Andrew Roberts

“A lively and engaging account of a life well lived… [a] fascinating memoir.” —Lady Antonia Fraser

“Charles Guthrie has been one of Britain's foremost soldiers as well as a terrific personality throughout his remarkable life. It is great that he is now telling his own story.” —Sir Max Hastings

“[Lord Guthrie's] boldness and humour make the book fizz.” —Michael Portillo

“There is profound wisdom in these engaging memoirs, written with wry humour and a deceptively light touch.” —Allan Mallinson, The Spectator