"The Commanders" tells the story of 16 of Australia"s most eminent military men as they performed under the stress of strategy-making and in the heat of battle. The questions it addresses include: Is there an Australian style of command?; how well have Australian officers been prepared for high command?; how have Australian commanders handled the problems of coalition war or co-operation with allies?; how have political direction, organizational structures and entrenched defence policy affected the performance of commanders in the field?; the commanders put under the spotlight are: Bridges, Brudenell White, Creswell, Chauvel, Monash, Lavarack, Sturdee, Gordon Bennett, Morshead, Blamey, Rowell, Herring, Vasey, Robertson, Scherger and Wilton. Each of the 16 lives examined presents a revealing account of the conditions under which crucial military decisions are made and carried out - on the battlefield, at headquarters, in victory and defeat. "The commanders" will appeal not only to students of military affairs but to everyone interested in Australian history and biography. MARKET. "Lieutenant Colonel David Horner is the Research Officer at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. He is the author of "Crisis of command, High command: Australian and allied strategy 1929--45" and " SAS : phantoms of the jungle, "and editor of "Duty first: the Royal Australian Regiment in war and peace.