1 JANUARY 1983, Page 24

John Keegan

The most important work of military history to appear this year, and for several past, is William H. McNeill's The Pursuit of Power (Blackwell) a superbly tenden- tious attempt to explain world history in terms of weapon technology. Coincidental- ly, the most enjoyable novel of the year, William Boyd's An Ice Cream War (Hamish Hamilton) also had a military theme, though it was the author's powers of characterisation and scene-setting which put it ahead of the field (Booker Prize judges please note). An autobiography from last year, Voices and the Sound of DrumS`by Patrick Shea, (Blackstaff Press) would please anyone of Irish descent but also painted a delightful picture of childhood and a fascinating alternative view of the Troubles.