Greenhill Books, 2000, £ 29.95, ISBN 1-85367-390-0, 574 pages

You don't exactly read a dictionary from cover to cover, but once open, you'll probably end up reading far longer than anticipated. This book, an expanded version of Warrior Words, offers 5,943 quotations from over 800 commanders and commentators of military history.

They range from functional to funny, serious to strident, and insipid to insightful. You've probably read many of the sources from which the quotes came, and will enjoy the chance to renew your acquaintance with commanders great and small.

Topics are arranged alphabetically, and the book includes a "well-known" quotes index and biographical index in the back.

Of note is that the quotes are usually extended versions so that it may be placed in context, and that in naming the source, there's usually additional information to expand the context.

All in all, I expect this to be a well-thumbed reference work of considerable value for years to come.