The author has devoted thirty years to studying the Great War. He has previously published a collection of Robertson's correspondence and a study of Lloyd George and his generals. In this work, the war is secondary, a backdrop for an examination of the interaction of political and military professionals in a critical situation with impacts on both interests. It illustrates the difficulty of defining not only strategy but also overall war aims, given the differing needs of military and political people. It also illustrates how personalities and interpersonal relationships affect decisions of state, both political and military.
Research is extensive, impeccable, and reflective of thirty years worth of effort.
At first glance, this work might appear to be a biography. Focus is on his interactions with his field commanders, especially Haig, but also on the other fronts where imperial interests were at stake, as well as with the politicians of his majesty's government. Before diving into this book, the reader should brush up on basic history. There's not much space devoted to the history of the war, merely an occasional reference to stalemate. The author assumes the reader knows already about horribly high casualties, battles in which advances of yards came at a cost of tens of thousands, a stalemate unbreakable by the technology of the times.