Gurkha: The Illustrated History,by Peter Harclerode and David Reynolds (Sutton, £25)

THE British Empire builders of the 19th Century employed a unique way of subjugating certain native peoples.

If you can't beat them... let them join you.

Yes, a twist to the age-old maxim, but it certainly worked on the North-West frontier in 1816.

Usually, when the British encountered a problem with insurgents, off went an infantry regiment or two and that was that.

Not so with the fierce hill warriors of Nepal - as the Redcoats found to their cost.

And so, after a few disastrous reverses and an uneasy peace, the British invited their former enemies to throw in their lot with the invaders.

Which they did. And so was born the legend of the Gurkhas.

The Brigade of Gurkhas is among the most famous and feared formations of the British Army.

And here, in a glorious mix of text and pictures - many in colour - is their proud story.

In a narrative littered with exploits of sometimes unbelievable daring, and across pages littered with Victoria Crosses, the authors take us on a memorable journey down the years.

From the Gurkhas' origins and early days, through The First World War and into the Second World War, this is a story of heroism and devotion to the British Crown.

But this generous volume is more than a mere history. For it also examines the dramatic environment which nurtures and produces these remarkable warriors whose unflagging loyalty to Britain has never waned in nearly 200 years.

This is a handsome work and one that will very easily - or should I say stand to attention - on anyone's bookshelf.

John Phillpott