PRH joins forces with Sandhurst to publish 'inspirational book of life lessons'

Penguin Random House has joined forces with Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to publish an "inspirational book of life lessons" this Christmas.

Century assistant editor Jess Ballance commissioned the project in coordination with Major Ed Withey, securing world rights in all formats to Stand Up Straight: 10 Life Lessons from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst by Major General Paul Nanson. 

Sandhurst, where all officers in the British Army are trained to take on the responsibility of leading their fellow soldiers, will publish its first official self-improvement and leadership book on 26th December with the PRH imprint. Officers who have graduated from Sandhurst include: Antony Beevor, James Blunt, Kelly Caswell-Treen, Winston Churchill, Michael Morpurgo, astronaut Tim Peake CMG and Prince William, and Prince Harry. 

"The book, which is published in full collaboration with the British Army, draws on first-hand experiences from war as well as the core leadership lessons taught at Sandhurst, including teamwork, emotional intelligence, resilience and fast decision-making under pressure," reads the synopsis. "The result is a ground-breaking personal development book that can easily be applied to every aspect of civilian life – work, home, confidence, anxiety, family and friends – and that can help readers confidently tackle life’s everyday battles."

"The book, which is published in full collaboration with the British Army, draws on first-hand experiences from war as well as the core leadership lessons taught at Sandhurst, including teamwork, emotional intelligence, resilience and fast decision-making under pressure," reads the synopsis. "The result is a ground-breaking personal development book that can easily be applied to every aspect of civilian life – work, home, confidence, anxiety, family and friends – and that can help readers confidently tackle life’s everyday battles."

Major General Paul Nanson, who serves as Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and General Officer Commanding Recruiting and Initial Training Command and has served in The Troubles, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan, said: "Sandhurst has a special place in the heart of every British, and many international, army officers. For me personally, I owe the Academy a great deal. It set me up for my military career and has, I believe, helped me cope with some of life’s challenges. I hope this book serves to reflect on the decades of history, heritage and ethos; and that the stories of Sandhurst training and experience, coupled with personal vignettes from field exercises and operations, will resonate with readers from all walks of life."

Ballance added: "We are thrilled to be publishing this insightful and instructive behind-the-scenes look inside the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, one of Britain’s most prestigious and historic institutions. Stand Up Straight demystifies the officer-training programme like never before and demonstrates, through inspiring anecdotes and practical tips, how small and positive habits can have a lasting impact and help set readers up for world-beating success. This will be one of the most original self-help books published this year. We envisage this as the first of many Sandhurst self-development books."