Forgotten Voices of the Falklands

Forgotten Voices of the Falklands. Hugh McManners. Ebury Press. [pounds sterling] 19.99. xvi + 479 pages. ISBN 978-0-09-190880-5. This book is produced in association with the Imperial War Museum and is part of the 'Forgotten Voices' series in which participants in great events are allowed to speak for themselves.

In this case the records are spoken accounts. The author was himself part of the forces which retook the islands and restored them to the British Crown and this adds a poignancy to his story. He correctly points out that 'there is no common experience' in wartime and therefore he includes varying accounts of the same event. Judgements he wisely leaves to his readers. His own contributions show how different and 'new' were the battles to regain the islands with little to compare them to World War II or even Korea. Not for the first or last time, politicians and London-based bureaucrats come in for just criticism for their incompetence. Mr McManners has given us a unique collection that will be useful for decades to come. (T.B.)

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