Book excerpt: With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' is described as a 'short treatise covering the rise and fall of military musical instruments on the battlefield'. Despite there being a plethora of books about military music, 'With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' stands out from the crowd in that it explores new areas of the world of military musical instruments. It is easy to read format and conciseness unwraps a depth and breadth of detail contained within. The chapters of the book guide you from the Ancient World through to the Restoration and up to the modern day giving examples of the origins and developments of the instruments employed. The author gives unique and well-researched accounts of the role of drummers within the military environment. The text explores the historical context of land battles and the importance of signaling instruments used in times of conflict. The status and pecking order of musicians within the military and the unique development of Drummers' uniforms are also detailed with the images contained within the book highlighting specific areas of interest. Mike Hall's personal knowledge and experiences of being a Senior Drum Major in the Coldstream Guards add polish and credulity to the content. Reading through the book you will uncover a mine of interesting information about the evolution of Drum and Fife duty and the historical roles of the Drum Major General and the Trumpet Major. The role of the Boy Drummer is discussed in relation to his importance on the battlefield and in the application of military discipline. 'With Trumpet Drum and Fife' is unique in its approach, is long overdue and fills a niche in military history.