A study of the resourcefulness of the British soldier over the last three hundred years in the face of hardship, boredom and battle. Drawing on a wide range of source material, Victor Neuburg provides a fascinating view of service life from the viewpoint of those Wellington termed 'the scum of the earth.' Here is the authentic story of life in the ranks, told with vigour, wit and scholarship. Includes an Index.

(Key Words: Great Britain, British Army, Military, Soldiers, Battle, World War I, World War II, Victor Nesburg, Rank, Uniforms, Charles Dickens, Civil War, Army Life).