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The British Field Marshals, 1736-1997: A Biographical Dictionary. By T. A. Heathcote. Barnsley, UX: Leo Cooper (Pen & Sword Books), 2000. ISBN 0-85052-696-5. Tables. Bibliography. Index. Pp. xvi, 368. 25.00.
Sadly, the rank of field marshal has been virtually abolished in the British Army. Nevertheless, the contributions of the former field marshals is admirably discussed by Dr. Tony Heathcote in this useful reference work, a collection of minibiographies of all 138 holders of that illustrious rank in the British Army since its creation by King George II in 1736.
Dr. Heathcote is well qualified to write on this subject. In addition to having written four books on the British Army in India, Heathcote served for many years as Librarian at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and for three decades as an officer in the Reserves. What might have been a dry recitation of regimental and staff appointments-and this information together with the subject's date and place of birth and death, family background, number of children, their education and marriages, dates of peerages and knighthoods (Burke's Peerage and Debrett's Peerage are listed in the bibliography) is provided by Heathcote-is in...