British Achilles: The Story of George, 2nd Earl Jellicoe KBE DSO MC FRS 20th Century Soldier, Politician, Statesman

by Lorna Almonds-Windmill, Patrick Leigh Fermor (Foreword)

Son of the victor of Jutland, George Jellicoe has enjoyed power and privilege but never shirked his duty. His war exploits are legendary and, as a founder member of Stirling’s SAS and first Commander of the Special Boat Service, he saw action a-plenty. A brigadier at 26 with a DSO and MC he liberated Athens as the Germans withdrew and saved Greece from a Communist revolution.

After the war Jellicoe joined the Foreign Office and worked with spies Burgess, Philby and Maclean in Washington and on the Soviet Desk. His political life saw him in the Cabinet of the Heath Government and he is frank with his biographer over the issues and characters of his fellow ministers.

Jellicoe’s Achilles heel is his weakness for, and attraction to, women. His resignation over an involvement with a prostitute was a national scandal but he is refreshingly honest and devoid of self-justification. He remained an active member of the Lords pursuing a top level business career. A British Achilles is a superb biography of a major public figure and exemplary wartime soldier

Genres: History

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2006

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography about a very interesting man. The first half of the book is packed with action of his wartime service, then the second half of the book is a bit tame as it explores his later life in the Foreign Office, politics and business, though the few passages about his travels are very interesting.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enthralling study of the life of Lord George Jellicoe, covering both his military career during World War II whilst in the SAS and then as commanding officer of the newly formed SBS, and then his post war career covering parliament and business.the author has written in an accessible style, engaging the reader throughout, the personal insights into Jellicoe are especially interesting. However, at times this book would benefit from greater detail, especially around the operational elements of his wartime career, which can come across as light compared to some of the more "administrative" anecdotes.

All in all, this is an enlightening book, covering a poorly understood, and covered, individual who was often at the centre of the action during and after the war, and played such a key role in the establishment of British special forces.