Falklands War

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As it was written fairly soon after the conflict, there was not yet much information about the Argentinean side, but the author published a book on this topic later (which I have not read). The Falklands War There and Back Again was a most enjoyable, entertaining read and I would heartily recommend it. The Malvinas for the Argentines are a kind of religion, but this is another matter, and certainly the huge number (for the few days that the war actually lasted) of fallen, often only conscript boys and with little training, which the South American forces had, plays a part in the matter. It was the last conventional military campaign of the 20th century in which British troops in defence of UK territory, against one of the world’s bloodiest dictatorships.

Anyone with an interest in the Falklands should read it as it really sets the story straight, and shows us yet again the bravery and sacrifice shown during the conflict. And then suddenly we lost the war, quite surprisingly since we had been winning it until that very moment. Philip Neame commanded D Company, one of the battalion’s three 100-strong rifle companies, and in this compelling book he tells their story. The writing is engaging and the technical aspects seem well described to me, but I do have some concerns. This said, the book remains an excellent insight and an indispensable addition to any Falklands War library.It is well written and given my interest in the topic -- this war was perhaps the first that I consciously experienced, via the news, from start to end -- I finished the book quite quickly.

Containing eye witness accounts from those involved in this campaign, telling you the bravery, courage and sacrifice of those men who fought during the conflict. Norman was seriously hindered by the Governor’s (understandable) wish to incur civilian casualties and clearly nails the lie that the Marines surrendered without a shot being fired. I hope this has become not just a standard work for military historians, but will appeal to new readers who have lost faith in war and diplomacy as experienced in the 21st century, and might value an important point of reference. My only complaint is a lack of maps; I read the Kindle version so I'm not sure if the print version is any different.Frankly the update seems somewhat lacklustre and leaves numerous questions such as the role of special forces, the logistics challenges, the role of US support to the british forces and the longer term implications and learnings somewhat unsatisfactorily answered considering that 30 years should have provided more insight. It is a skilful illumination of the continued purchase and contradictions of the idea of Greater Britain in the later twentieth century.