Wood can be considered one of the big three of Victorian generals, along with Wolseley and Roberts, although some might disagree. Starting off as a naval midshipman and then joining the army, he fought in the Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, Third Anglo-Ashanti War, Anglo-Zulu War, First Boer War and Mahdist War. Due to a falling out with Wolseley he never saw frontline action again, but instead became an important member of the reform movement for the army as well as instrumental in updating the training methods and treatment of recruits and soldiers. Manning's biography is very well written, considering the scope of Wood's life and activities, and is a fairly evenhanded treatment. I read a Kindle version with no maps which might put off some people but since Victorian era warfare is pretty familiar to me I didn't find it an handicap. Highly recommended. ( )