Roderick Bailey is a historian at the University of Oxford where he specialises in the history of medicine and the study of war and conflict. His previous books include the Sunday Times bestseller Forgotten Voices of the Secret War and, as an official SOE historian appointed by the Prime Minister, Target: Italy – The Secret War against Mussolini. Away from academia he has worked widely as an official observer of international elections in post-conflict and post-communist countries. In 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan as a British Army reservist and was awarded a Queen’s Commendation.

"This profound study by Roderick Bailey goes a long way to identifying the common characteristics of the bravest of the brave ... Here is a testament to what is good about humankind against the backdrop of what can be the worst. The abiding thought with which the reader is left is one of hope; that adversity can indeed bring out the best in us. These "Forgotten Voices" are eloquent in proclaiming this enduring truth" -- General Sir Richard Dannatt, from the Introduction "A significant and important book ... Over the last 45 years I have read hundreds of VC books but this volume has a unique place because of the "voices" of the VCs themselves ... Highly recommended and should be read by anyone with an interest in the VC" Victoria Cross Society

Roderick Bailey is a historian at the University of Oxford where he specialises in the history of medicine and the study of war and conflict. His previous books include the Sunday Times bestseller Forgotten Voices of the Secret War and, as an official SOE historian appointed by the Prime Minister, Target: Italy – The Secret War against Mussolini. Away from academia he has worked widely as an official observer of international elections in post-conflict and post-communist countries. In 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan as a British Army reservist and was awarded a Queen’s Commendation.

"This profound study by Roderick Bailey goes a long way to identifying the common characteristics of the bravest of the brave ... Here is a testament to what is good about humankind against the backdrop of what can be the worst. The abiding thought with which the reader is left is one of hope; that adversity can indeed bring out the best in us. These "Forgotten Voices" are eloquent in proclaiming this enduring truth" -- General Sir Richard Dannatt, from the Introduction "A significant and important book ... Over the last 45 years I have read hundreds of VC books but this volume has a unique place because of the "voices" of the VCs themselves ... Highly recommended and should be read by anyone with an interest in the VC" Victoria Cross Society