The Contents are -
P04: Introduction
P05: Chronology
P07: Recruiting the Desert Rat
P13: Fighting Methods, Doctrine and Training
P23: Belief and Belonging
P027: Appearance and Equipment
.Uniforms and Equipment; Weaponry; Tanks
P037: Life on Campaign in the Western Desert
P45: Experience of Battle
.The battle of Omars, November 1941; The 150th Infantry brigade at Gazala, May 1942
P58: Aftermath
P62: Museums and Collections
P63: Select Bibliography
P64: Index
The Colour Plates -
A: The Australian `Digger'. This shows a full figure holding a rifle, with various items of kit shown in close-up illustrations, plus `variant' and optional items of kit.
B: The Land Mine. This is a plate showing two Royal Engineers demonstrating the `Polish' mine detector - the circular plate at the end of a long handle - with 4 Sikh soldiers receiving instruction.
C: The Attack. Two page diagrammatic illustrations showing: 1. a formal attack on a defensive position; 2. an in-depth defensive position.
D: The Desert Rat. This plate shows a figure, leaning on a Bren gun and smoking, with several items shown separately in close up, along with variant items of kit.
E: Weaponry. This plate shows a selection of rifles and machine guns, along with a pistol, mortar, grenade and bayonet.
F: A Brew Up. Not a tank, but 3 figures gathered around a `Benghazi cooker' - a British infantryman, a tank crewman, and a Gurkha rifleman - chatting while waiting for their tea to boil. In the background is a Bren carrier with a pile of equipment and stores.
G: The Infantry Attack. This plate shows infantry advancing, alongside tanks, with explosions and smoke in the background.
H: Advanced Dressing Station. This plate shows several figures, from both sides, sitting or lying on stretchers being attended to by medical staff, with an ambulance being loaded in the background, alongside some tents.
The colour plates build up through the various stages of the book, showing the men, equipment, organisation and training, leading eventually to the battle and its aftermath. The quality of the paintings is exceptional; the artist has captured the quality of the desert light. The monochrome photographs are also of excellent quality and support the text, which is clear, informative and well-written.