The author details the methods used by the miners including excavation, rescue, and preparing the chamber for the explosives ... [and] explains how the miners dealt with the expansion of the clay that occurred when in contact with oxygen.  Similar mining operations had been used in warfare for hundreds of years, but this might well be the climax of this type of underground operations for breaching a fortified enemy position ... This is an excellent book for those interested in trench warfare and mining.

J.E. Kaufmann (November 2010)

Messines was a fascinating strategic campaign that only took the British hours to win. It was a rare case of innovation and victory in the First World War ... The author takes a new and suitable approach with his examination of the fascinating campaign. He also includes over 60 photographs and images throughout, plus maps and four specially commissioned full-color plates of battle scenes and birds-eye-views.

www.mataka.org (October 2010)