Snowlines

‘This book is about mountains and madness. Specifically, it is a book about ski mountaineering – the use of specially adapted equipment to ski uphill as well as down, in order to traverse winter mountain terrain that would otherwise be completely impassable – and about the complicated, albeit profound, distinction between fear and anxiety.’

…

Praise for The Changing of the Guard

Winner of the Templer First Book Award 2021

‘A “state-of-the-nation” book of resounding power, deep conviction and far-reaching significance.’ Richard Davenport-Hines, TLS Books of the Year, 2021

[An] excellent and valuable book.' Jason Burke, The Guardian

‘A passionate book.’ Max Hastings, The Sunday Times

‘Akam is an angry young man and the book is better for it.’ Roger Boyes, The Times

Reviews

Praise for The Changing of the Guard:

‘Simon Akam has written a perceptive, challenging and passionate book that looks at modern soldiering. In doing so, Akam provides an invaluable look at how the British Army works ― and how the changing world in the 21st century is asking new and complex questions for soldiers and military strategy alike.’

Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads

‘The truth about the British Army’

Jason Burke, The Guardian

‘A blockbuster critique … with heaps of evidence.’

Matthew Paris, The Times

‘A passionate book.’

Max Hastings, Sunday Times

‘It’s compellingly written ― I got through all 500-plus pages in two sittings ― and it is certainly worth the effort.’

Adrian Weale, Mail on Sunday

‘Detailed and well structured.’

Anthony Loyd, New Statesman

‘Impassioned … It is a valuable addition to analysing the past, present and future of a venerated institution.’

Kim Sengupta, The Independent

About the author

Simon Akam is a British writer. Born in Cambridge, England, he held a Gap Year Commission in the British Army before studying English Literature at Oxford University. He later won a Fulbright scholarship to attend Columbia Journalism School in New York. Simon has worked for The New York Times, Reuters and Newsweek and is currently a contributing writer for the Economist's 1843 magazine, where his coverage of the coronavirus pandemic was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize.