The Top Brass

The Top Brass is the most comprehensive study of Australian generalship in the Second World War, revealing how the Army chose, tested and judged its senior leaders. Based on decades of research and rare interviews by Australia’s leading soldier-scholar, it’s a gripping account of leadership, conflict and command under fire

A bold, authoritative, and long-overdue study of Australia’s wartime military leadership.

Who led Australia’s army through the Second World War and how well did they perform? The Top Brass is the first book to critically examine the performance of every senior Australian commander across the full span of the conflict. From North Africa to Kokoda, and from field operations to the back rooms of Canberra, this groundbreaking work offers a sweeping and deeply human look at leadership in war.

Military historian and award-winning author David Horner draws on decades of research, including rare interviews with wartime generals, extensive archival research and previously unpublished material. This is not just a study of battles – it’s a study of leadership under pressure; the development of command talent; and the personal rivalries, political tensions, and institutional challenges that shaped Australia’s war effort.

Whether you are a military history enthusiast, serving defence professional, academic researcher, or general reader, The Top Brass offers a compelling and timely exploration of leadership and the burdens of command.