Book excerpt: "Major General Orde Wingate (1903-1944) was the most controversial British military commander of the Second World War, and perhaps of the last hundred years. He splits opinion among soldiers, academics and writers seven decades after his death. His exploits in Ethiopia and Burma, in particular his creation of the Chindits, special forces who were trained to use guerrilla tactics behind the Japanese lines, have made him into a key figure in the history of irregular warfare. But, as Simon Anglim reveals in this thought-provoking and insightful study, myths and misunderstandings tend to cloud understanding of Wingates career, and he seeks to put the record straight. He bases his work on a major study of Wingates official and private papers, and those of his contemporaries, and he aims to provide the definitive guide to Wingate as a military commander."--Publisher's information.