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 Waugh's brilliant Sword of Honour trilogy, which chronicles the fortunes of Guy Crouchback.

Evelyn Waugh was born in London in 1903 and was educated at Lancing College and Hertford College, Oxford. After studying art in London he became a schoolmaster and his social circle gave him ample opportunity to study those against whom much of his humour is directed. Among his principal works are Brideshead Revisited and Scoop. He died in 1966.

Christian Rodska has worked in theatres all over the UK and has recorded many radio plays, poetry programmes and documentaries, while his television credits include Taggart, Wycliffe, Sharpe and 55 Degrees North. He has also recorded numerous audio books, winning several Earphone Awards from AudioFile magazine.