Holland is a prolific chronicler of war; his trademark style is to examine it through the experiences of single fighting units.

Mr. Holland ably sets up his main characters: men he had the good fortune to interview, or those who left detailed diaries, letters and reminiscences behind.

James Holland’s greatest strength as a military historian is that he brings humanity to his work — a rare trait in a field of research that can sometimes feel dominated by those obsessed with numbers. Where others recite regiment numbers and calibre sizes, Holland is interested in the men behind the faceless facts.

The heroic exploits of the British Army’s Sherwood Rangers tank unit over the last 11 months of WWII are richly documented in this sweeping chronicle.

A fine account.