The General

''The General'' by C. S. Forester is a searing, satirical, and deeply realistic novel about the rise and tragic leadership of Herbert Curzon, a professional British Army officer during the First World War.

The book explores several core themes regarding warfare and military hierarchy:
The novel is a direct examination of the popular WWI "lions led by donkeys" myth. Forester portrays a commander who isn't a villain or a fool, but rather a brave, steadfast, and completely unimaginative man.
Curzon's career advances through a mix of fortuitous luck, survival in the early slaughters of the war, and an advantageous marriage. Though he is out of his depth intellectually, he rises to command 100,000 men on the Western Front.
Curzon applies outdated 19th-century cavalry tactics and unquestioning obedience to his superiors, resulting in massive, devastating casualties at major battles like the Somme and Passchendaele.
Ultimately, the book is a masterful psychological study of how strict compliance with military tradition and hubris can lead to horrific human tragedy.