A Breed of Heroes

by Alan Judd

Book Overview

This outstanding first novel established Alan Judd's literary reputation and was one of the most talked about and best-selling books for years. After university and Sandhurst, Charles Thoroughgood has... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0006164587
• ISBN13: 9780006164586
• Release Date: December 1988
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Light Hearted Look at a Heavy Subject

Breed of Heroes is an engaging book with hilarious insight into the ups and downs of Army hierarchy. As I laughed at the follies of the officers, I was struck by the resemblance to the follies of any large organization. Judd has demonstrated a grasp of human group behaviour, presented through the prime example of the Army.In the first chapter of Breed of Heroes, I was a bit concerned that this was an Army book written by an author who knows the army for people with a keen interest in all things military. To the uninitiated civilian the military abbreviations, ranks, titles and customs seem like a foreign language requiring at least a phrase book for navigation. I am glad I stumbled through the first chapter because there was no stopping after that. While I think the book is most likely to draw an audience interested in the Army or in the conflict in Northern Ireland, I believe that anyone who has ever been part of a large organization (almost everyone) will find it thoroughly enjoyable.Platoon commander Charles Thoroughgood seems an unlikely person to find in the Army. He is a graduate of Oxford and seems to be an independent thinker of the sort that would avoid a large structured organization like the plague. Charles is inexperienced and unsure of his ability as a leader. His fears about himself seem to be confirmed in his first confrontation with a crowd in Belfast. Indecisive and lacking initiative he fails to properly control the mob of women. His commanding officer is forgiving and assures him that it is inexperience and he will do better next time. Throughout the story the reader watches Charles learn, face challenges, and grow beyond his normal boundaries. And it is through his outsider eyes that we see the Army. His position as platoon commander is well chosen as it gives us insight into both the life of the soldiers and the world of the officers.The story also provides insight into the raw humanity of life in Northern Ireland. In general, it seems to avoid political discussion and instead shows telling glimpses of the people of Belfast. The author succeeds in painting a rather gruesome picture of people at their worst. In Breed of Heroes, Judd touches on many important issues but does not allow them to bog down the story. He has balanced insight into a desparate situation with a lighthearted look at humanity.