The military philosophers

the long version

Set mostly in London, with a brief interlude overseas, it is the period 1942-45. Nicholas Jenkins has been posted to a War Office liaison Section to work for the Allied armies. Absurdities coincide with horrors for the characters especially in the shady secret services; and although the violence is off-stage, it is still catastrophic. Widmerpool, now well-placed officially, runs into some rather colourful personal complications after meeting Pamela Flitton, the niece of Stringham and a notorious man-eater.