Boyhood days -- My early life in the army -- Between the wars -- Britain goes to war in 1939 -- The army in England after Dunkirk -- My doctrine of command -- Eight Army -- The Battle of Alam Halfa -- The Battle of Alamein -- Alamein to Tunis -- The campaign in Sicily -- The campaign in Italy -- In England before D-Day -- The Battle of Normandy -- Allied strategy north of the Seine -- The Battle of Arnheim -- Prelude to the Ardennes -- The Battle of the Ardennes -- The end of the war in Europe -- The German surrender -- Some thoughts on high command in war -- The control of post-war Germany: the first steps -- Difficulties with the Russians begin -- The struggle to rehabilitate Germany -- Prelude to Whitehall -- Beginnings in Whitehall -- Overseas tours in 1947 -- Storm clouds over Palestine -- I make myself a nuisance in Whitehall -- Beginnings of defence co-operation in Europe -- The unity of the West -- Second thoughts.