Victoria Cross heroes

"VC" tells the stories of over 150 individuals whose bravery has earnt them the Victoria Cross, Britain's most prestigious medal for courage in action.

The book is introduced by Michael Ashcroft, who owns ten per cent of all VCs ever awarded.

He explains the history of the medal and the story of his fascination with it.

The main text of the book tells the stories of both those recipients whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories will feature in the television series.

For the latter there will be new interview material with the families and with the few living VC holders today.

Each chapter will cover a different conflict - from the first VC awarded to Mate C D Lucas of the Royal Navy during the Crimean War - to the most recent - to Johnson Beharry in Iraq.