Very readable, amusing and excoriating. This book links to Yes Minister in revealing the machinations that lead to poor outcomes that bedevil the Government and distort the economy. ( )

I really enjoyed this. Three of the reasons why:

1) The writing style, laced with black humour, is easy to follow - it is indeed a page turner, which is perhaps surprising given the subject matter.

2) It serves as a very good 'noddy's outing' to the roles and utility of different parts of the forces and the equipment they use (I now know why a Lt General is senior to a Maj General, what a frigate is for etc).

3) Although unashamedly polemical, most of the arguments presented by the author are consistent and coherent. Rather than spending the whole book detailing the flaws in different weapons systems, the author credibly challenges the strategic rationale underpinning much of our procurement policy and capability as a whole. For example why do we wish to have and continue to develop, massive anti-submarine warfare capability in the post cold war era?

Anyone interested in current or military affairs should read this. ( )