Overview
Great British Commanders by Professor Michael Clarke explores the lives of 33 British commanders, from Boudica to the generals, admirals and air marshals of the First and Second World Wars. Each chapter reviews the life and campaigns of a different commander and reflects on their personal stories as individuals and warriors, strategists and shapers of British history over almost 2,000 years. The book focuses on their styles of leadership and their strategies – or in some cases lack of them.
Some of the commanders described in this book were obvious shapers of British history, including King Alfred, William the Conqueror, Henry V, Cromwell, Marlborough, Wellington and Montgomery. Some were unlucky and seemed beset by failure, such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir John Moore or General John Gort. Others are less well-known as significant commanders, such as Lady Aethelflead of Mercia, the Empress Matilda, the 'greatest knight' Sir William Marshal, or Cuthbert Collingwood, who served with Nelson at Trafalgar.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Professor Clarke will contrast the experiences of different commanders through history and compare some of them with the challenges of 21st-century command.
The conversation will be moderated by Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow for European Security, RUSI.
A drinks reception will follow from 18:30 to 19:30 GMT.
About the speaker
Professor Michael Clarke
Joining Instructions
This event is open to RUSI members and invited guests and will take place at RUSI, 61 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET. If you have any questions regarding this event, please email [email protected]
Please note that Platinum and Premium Individual RUSI members have the opportunity to bring a guest to this event.
