Alex Sheppard

It is a wise author who states clearly what his book is about and what it hopes to achieve. Some do this at the beginning of a book, some do it at the end. In either case it avoids the possibility of a reviewer or reader blaming the book for not being what it was never intended to be. The author of this book gets over this difficulty by setting out clearly in the last chapter, headed ‘Is there ... (read more)

This is such a good book, written in the best military fashion, with all points assembled in proper order but written with the wit and irony usually missing from military historians, that it is a pity it is not better designed. The title page really lacks finesse. But the illustrations and notes are very well-chosen and easy on the eye. It deals equally with civilian surveillance as with military ... (read more)