Corps Commanders

The great strength of Delaney's work is that it is not broad brush, but rather delves into the intricacies of this highest level of tactical command. This is military history at its best – and in stressing that all five commanders passed through the imperial staff colleges of Camberley or Quetta in India, Delaney also reminds readers that Canadians fought the war as British subjects who never expected their empire to fall.

Colonel Bernd Horn:
This is a brilliant book. Dr. Doug Delaney…has written an incredibly valuable book that delivers on several levels.

John A. English:
The great strength of Delaney's work is that it is not broad brush, but rather delves into the intricacies of this highest level of tactical command. This is military history at its best – and in stressing that all five commanders passed through the imperial staff colleges of Camberley or Quetta in India, Delaney also reminds readers that Canadians fought the war as British subjects who never expected their empire to fall.

Meticulously researched ... Corps Commanders is an important addition to the body of knowledge on the Second World War and the study of command. The many lessons on leadership and command that emerge are timeless and are as relevant today as they were then ... this is an outstanding book that should be read by all aspiring leaders and commanders, and as early in their careers as possible. It is also strongly recommended for all military members of any rank, as well as for historians and anyone who is interested in the profession of arms.

William Pratt:
Delaney has done an incredible amount of research, mining eleven major archives in three countries along with a number of private collections. This addition to the University of British Columbia Press and Canadian War Museum’s 'Studies in Canadian Military History' series is an exemplification of strong scholarly work that is breaking new ground in the field of military history. http://www.canadianmilitaryhistory.ca/review-of-douglas-e-delaneys-corps-commanders%E2%80%AF-five-british-and-canadian-generals-at-war-1939-45-by-william-pratt/

Michael Tillotson:
Delaney's book offers a relevant prompting of the importance of rigorous study of intelligence, thorough pre-operational training and comprehensive equipment and logistic support for any new campaign or operational initiative.

Stephen Harris, Chief Historian, Directorate of History and Heritage, National Defence Headquarters:
Given the scope of the fighting, corps level command was critical during the Second World War, and Delaney’s work is the first to focus on that level. Corps Commanders is an original, superbly written book.

Stephen A. Hart, War Studies Department, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst:
Corps Commanders will become a highly regarded contribution to its field. It is excellent at analyzing how the corps headquarters actually functioned in the Second World War. The scholarship is impressive, with a mastery of both the relevant archival and secondary sources. Its engaging style will appeal equally to general readers interested in the Second World War, as well as to serious students of military history. Delaney’s book ought to be essential reading in every Western military educational institution.