Guy Crouchback determined to get into the war takes a commission in the Royal Corps of Halberdiers. His spirits high he sees all the trimmings but none of the action. And his first campaign an abortive affair on the West African coastline ends with an escapade which seriously blots his Halberdier copybook. Men at Arms is the first book in Waughs brilliant trilogy Sword of Honour which chronicles the fortunes of Guy Crouchback. The second and third volumes Officers and Gentlemen and Unconditional Surrender are also published in Penguin. Sword of Honour has recently been made into a television drama series with screenplay by William Boyd.