I joined the Army in 1965 and served with the 11th Hussars, which I loved. The regiment was so relaxed - a salute was more like a friendly wave.

I think it's outrageous if a historian has a 'leading thought' because it means they will select their material according to their thesis

It was only after five years in the army, when I was having to do a very boring job in a very boring place, that I thought: 'Why not try writing a novel?' partly out of youthful arrogance and partly because there had been a long line of writers in my mother's family.

The British bombing of Caen beginning on D-Day in particular was stupid, counter-productive and above all very close to a war crime.

I feel slightly uneasy at the way historians are consulted as if history is going to repeat itself. It never does.

I just love the days when you come out of the archives with half a dozen excellent descriptions or poignant accounts of personal experiences.

I think one of the great disasters (in military history) is the way that the Second World War has become the defining reference point for every crisis and every conflict.