This collection investigates the defining characteristics of leadership and strategic command through the lens of historical obituaries for the most influential military figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. The volume, curated with an introduction by William Hague, utilizes the archival records of The Times to present a retrospective on how these commanders were perceived at the conclusion of their lives. By examining these primary source documents, the book provides a window into the evolving standards of military excellence and the public legacy of those who held the fates of nations in their hands.

The collection serves as a valuable archival resource for historians and military enthusiasts interested in the primary source documentation of 19th and 20th-century command. The inclusion of facsimile prints offers a tangible connection to the historical record, providing a clear and focused look at how these figures were memorialized by their contemporaries.