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. <i>Men at Arms</i> is the first book in Waugh’s brilliant trilogy, <i>Sword of Honour</i>, which chronicles the fortunes of Guy Crouchback. The second and third volumes, <i>Officers and Gentlemen</i> and <i>Unconditional Surrender</i>, are also published in Penguin. <i>Sword of Honour</i> has recently been made into a television drama series, with screenplay by William Boyd.