When Heloise Goodley ditched her City job and decided to attend officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, she had no prior military experience. On her arrival she was a complete novice: she'd never fired a rifle, she couldn't march; she couldn't make her bed; she couldn't even shine her shoes.

An Officer and a Gentlewoman charts Goodley's absorbing journey through Sandhurst and on to Afghanistan and gives an insight into the array of bizarre military behaviours and customs at this esoteric and hidden institution. With wit and sensitivity Goodley details her experiences as a cadet and the painful transition from civilian to soldier. Moreover, she rejects lazy preconceptions and sheds new light on what has hitherto been a bastion of maleness - the British Army.

An Officer and a Gentlewoman is the first female perspective on Sandhurst and the making of a female British Army officer.

About the Author
Heloise Goodley was a City banker before she made an impulsive decision to join the Army in 2007 and undertake officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. She has since completed two operational tours of Afghanistan and currently holds the rank of Captain as Adjutant of an Apache helicopter regiment. She still can't march or shine shoes.

Reviews
Compelling....often hilarious, sometimes touching, always riveting. * Dail Mail *
An in the trenches view of what it's like to transition from a civilian's life to that of a soldier... an engaging fly on the wall view. * Independent on Sunday *
Goodley offers a new spin on the Army memoir: the female Army memoir. Recounting her journey from City girl to Sandhurst cadet to officer in Afghanistan, Goodley's sense of humour shines through as she throws light on the more bizarre aspects of peculiar male institution. This is contrasted to a sensitivity to the horrors of life on the front line. * Mslexia *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472102171
Author Heloise Goodley
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Constable
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 244g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 143mm * 24mm