Theory of War

by Joan Brady

  Acknowledgement

  This book has been in the works so long that I have lost track of most of the sources found for me by the resourceful and endlessly patient staff of the Totnes Library. I do remember Percy French’s memoir Railroadman, though; I couldn’t have written the book without it. Nor could I have managed without Dr J. Morrison Brady and Mrs Esther Arnold, both of whom answered all my questions about their father more fully than any interviewer could dare to hope. I also owe a great deal to Ruth Mathewson, Michael Wood and Alexander Masters for early readings and suggestions. As for Al and Jo Hart, who gave me courage to go on, the simple thanks I have to offer could never repay the debt I feel. Nor can I ever repay James Hale and Mary Siepmann, without whose generosity of spirit this novel would still be a manuscript. And then there’s Dexter Masters, who taught me all I know about writing, who encouraged, debated, suggested, edited – all to the immeasurable benefit of these and other pages – and who himself supplied what is, in my opinion, the best line in the book.