In the Heat of Battle: A history of those who rose to the occasion and those who didn't (General Military) Hardcover - 2009

"Out of two thousand years of the history of combat Donough O'Brien has plucked seventy five extraordinary episodes, some well known, others much less or not at all. They describe the good, the bad and the downright incompetent; the best and the worst; the bravest and most craven, and each story is a small gem. A 'must' for Christmas." -Frederick Forsyth, author and political commentator

"O'Brien uses his master story-telling skills to create a lively and informative compendium of bravery and humiliation. Written in an elegant, entertaining style, In the Heat of Battle is designed for general readers seeking to glean inspiration from the best and worst that history has to offer. Teachers, lawyers, business people, clergy and of course military leaders will benefit from O'Brien's concise yet informative essays." -Sir Read-a-Lot (sirreadalot.org) (October 2009)

"Offers a fine survey of war, military ranks, and how heroes emerged form battles. From early fighters such as George Washington and Rommel to anti-heroes such as Custer, this survey considers how individuals contributed to or changed the course of history through their military choices." - The Midwest Book Review (April 2010)

"In the Heat of Battle is a thought-provoking book with wide appeal... It is highly recommended for the general student of military history, and will doubtless inspire further in-depth reading and analysis." -Lloyd W. Sherfey, On Point (Fall 2010)

"This title examines a slightly different phenomenon. Sometimes it is the junior ranks that seize the initiative and save the day, often with extraordinary acts of heroism. Often those who fail are senior and experienced. Fully illustrated with photographs and artwork, the book includes familiar battlefield heroes like Audie Murphy, ’H’ Jones, and Corporal Graham among others and contains interesting and thought-provoking facts." -Wonderpedia

Donough O'Brien was an officer in the Irish Guards. He has enjoyed an active and successful marketing career in the US and Europe. He servces on the Council of the Friends of the Imperial War Museum. His previous books include Fame by Chance, which looked at places that became famous by twist of fate, and Banana Skins, which covered the secrets of the slips and screw ups that brought the famous down to earth. The author lives in London, England.