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 Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
Readable and interesting book, 20 Nov 2008
This is an interesting and readable history of our country since the Second World War marred (pun intended) by a liberal/left-wing bias. Andrew Marr deals with a number of topics and this book is neither political nor social history but contains bits of each and more.
Much of the book is a re-hash of information that I had already gathered from elsewhere but some topics were new to me. For example, Andrew Marr spent some time discussing the rise of pop music and how this and the fashion industry seems to have originated mainly from people who went to art school rather than e.g. university or technical college.
The main strengths of the book are a clear writing style and the willingness to tackle slighly off beat subjects here and there so that one gained some knowledge and understanding of unfamiliar topics.
An average, anti-success summary of the UK, 15 Nov 2008
In summay, Andrew tries to bring together a very complicated period of life in the UK and diluting it to the level of the average Guardian reader (i.e. tell me what to think and that be so, and by the way I like the working class, alright guv').
Generally well researched, but so distracted by his weird "liberal" / puritanical (anti-alcohol / fun) beliefs, that you don't know what he is trying to say. If this is the future of liberal and impartial journalism then we are destined to live with a Socialist Fascist system, and having experienced this book and this Government I think this is closer to being a reality than many think (despite the arguments of ideology!)
Excellent book, 27 Sep 2008
I took this book on holiday with me and I feel a week by the pool is a perfect way to enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed the pace of this work. I felt it gave just the right amount of detail without dwelling on unimportant facts.
For me it was constantly enthralling. As a 23 year-old I certainly learnt a great deal. The detail is far greater than the BBC series that accompanied the book. My only doubt is whether had I lived through the times discussed I would have found it a little lightweight.
History at its best, 26 Sep 2008
I found this book a real pleasure to read. It is a penetrating and scholarly account of Britain's post-war history. It is brilliantly researched and beautifully written - the author has a good eye for the amusing bon mot - yet it deals in a balanced and sensible way with the key developments and personalities of the post-war era. If a better book has been published in the past year, then I have not come across it.
A future school textbook - and useful now., 29 Aug 2008
This book was updated for its paperback release and having read it carefully I suspect that many of the errors referred to by other reviewers were removed at that point. Having lived out of Britain for a sizeable chunk of my adult life, I found that I had much to learn from the pages - several large gaps in my knowledge were filled in.
I found it difficult to detect any signs of bias, and Andrew Marr's easy writing style made it a pleasure to read. This is almost as far removed from the dry history textbook that I wrestled with as a young student as it is possible to be. For anyone wanting a crash course on British modern history, this could not be bettered. Well researched and referenced, this deserves to become a standard.
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
Readable and interesting book, 20 Nov 2008
This is an interesting and readable history of our country since the Second World War marred (pun intended) by a liberal/left-wing bias. Andrew Marr deals with a number of topics and this book is neither political nor social history but contains bits of each and more.
Much of the book is a re-hash of information that I had already gathered from elsewhere but some topics were new to me. For example, Andrew Marr spent some time discussing the rise of pop music and how this and the fashion industry seems to have originated mainly from people who went to art school rather than e.g. university or technical college.
The main strengths of the book are a clear writing style and the willingness to tackle slighly off beat subjects here and there so that one gained some knowledge and understanding of unfamiliar topics.
An average, anti-success summary of the UK, 15 Nov 2008
In summay, Andrew tries to bring together a very complicated period of life in the UK and diluting it to the level of the average Guardian reader (i.e. tell me what to think and that be so, and by the way I like the working class, alright guv').
Generally well researched, but so distracted by his weird "liberal" / puritanical (anti-alcohol / fun) beliefs, that you don't know what he is trying to say. If this is the future of liberal and impartial journalism then we are destined to live with a Socialist Fascist system, and having experienced this book and this Government I think this is closer to being a reality than many think (despite the arguments of ideology!)
Excellent book, 27 Sep 2008
I took this book on holiday with me and I feel a week by the pool is a perfect way to enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed the pace of this work. I felt it gave just the right amount of detail without dwelling on unimportant facts.
For me it was constantly enthralling. As a 23 year-old I certainly learnt a great deal. The detail is far greater than the BBC series that accompanied the book. My only doubt is whether had I lived through the times discussed I would have found it a little lightweight.
History at its best, 26 Sep 2008
I found this book a real pleasure to read. It is a penetrating and scholarly account of Britain's post-war history. It is brilliantly researched and beautifully written - the author has a good eye for the amusing bon mot - yet it deals in a balanced and sensible way with the key developments and personalities of the post-war era. If a better book has been published in the past year, then I have not come across it.
A future school textbook - and useful now., 29 Aug 2008
This book was updated for its paperback release and having read it carefully I suspect that many of the errors referred to by other reviewers were removed at that point. Having lived out of Britain for a sizeable chunk of my adult life, I found that I had much to learn from the pages - several large gaps in my knowledge were filled in.
I found it difficult to detect any signs of bias, and Andrew Marr's easy writing style made it a pleasure to read. This is almost as far removed from the dry history textbook that I wrestled with as a young student as it is possible to be. For anyone wanting a crash course on British modern history, this could not be bettered. Well researched and referenced, this deserves to become a standard.
Very, very funny, 30 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for anyone who has an interest in British history and has a sense of humour. If you already have at least a basic level of knowledge of any period of British history pre-1945 and are looking for a book which is an easy and light hearted read then this is for you. It is crammed full of comedy based upon Ancient and Roman Britain right up to WWII. The entire book is divided into small sections, on average I'd estimate about 2 pages each, which makes it perfect for quick snatches of humour whenever you have a spare couple of minutes. Personally, I couldn't put it down - I found it to be a real page turner.
Highly recommended.
Good substitute for fiction at bedtime, 11 Nov 2008
Though it claims to be witty, I'm afraid I can't add to the glowing reports of this book. This is not to say that it is an awful book, merely that I found it hard to engage with the style of John O'Farrell.
The reading is light and is a good a book to snuggle up in bed with as any, but I found the jokes were sometimes lacking and repetitive.
In terms of information I can't say that it was controversial to anything I have so far studied. It was hardly detailed but this is understandable with how much information was crammed into the tome.
John O'Farrell attempts to see history from a low-class point of view- a difficult challenge considering the mediocre information to be found on the subject in many eras- but I think he labours his point on 'upper-class' idiots a little too much, making his witty remarks at little less witty and a little more boring.
A good read overall but a little over-done.
Ponderous text, predictable humour, 10 Nov 2008
Whilst the subject matter of this book (Britain's distant history - present day) is presented in a palatable way, the allegedly 'humorous' asides have made this read, at best, disappointing. I was prepared for this book to be witty (I've read some of John O'Farrell's other work), but not witty in such a pedestrian way - cheap predictable joke after cheap predictable joke. I expected better.
The best history book there is... I don't like history., 29 Oct 2008
This book takes 2000 years of British (mostly English) history, and is sarcastic about it. What the TV show "Have I Got News For You" does for the last 7 days, this book does for two millennia (in 500 pages).
I've never seen the point of reading about history. Although people say that it's about learning important lessons from the past to benefit all our futures, to me it always seemed like a long list of pointless names and dates which formed some kind of list of what order things just happened to happen in.
It's very funny, mostly in very witty ways (though there are a couple of cringeworthy puns), yet it's full of factual information that really does make it feel like you're learning something. It's patriotic but in an intelligent rather than a mindless bulldog way. There's massive helpings of satire and plenty of comparisons to modern-day news events.
It drags a bit around the year 1600 (but I think that's the fault of history itself rather than the book) but the World War stuff is genuinely moving. A really worthwhile read.
This is the only history book I'll ever need. In fact it's the only history book I'll ever read.
It's not often I give a book up after reading 50 pages......, 24 Oct 2008
..... but I did with this one. I bought it because a friend said it was hilarious. I found it really irritating having some reasonable historic insight interspersed with purile humour, mostly revolving around repeated incarnations of essentially the same joke. It just goes to show that different people find different things funny! I hope someone who likes this sort of humour bought it from the Oxfam shop where I sent my copy.
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
Readable and interesting book, 20 Nov 2008
This is an interesting and readable history of our country since the Second World War marred (pun intended) by a liberal/left-wing bias. Andrew Marr deals with a number of topics and this book is neither political nor social history but contains bits of each and more.
Much of the book is a re-hash of information that I had already gathered from elsewhere but some topics were new to me. For example, Andrew Marr spent some time discussing the rise of pop music and how this and the fashion industry seems to have originated mainly from people who went to art school rather than e.g. university or technical college.
The main strengths of the book are a clear writing style and the willingness to tackle slighly off beat subjects here and there so that one gained some knowledge and understanding of unfamiliar topics.
An average, anti-success summary of the UK, 15 Nov 2008
In summay, Andrew tries to bring together a very complicated period of life in the UK and diluting it to the level of the average Guardian reader (i.e. tell me what to think and that be so, and by the way I like the working class, alright guv').
Generally well researched, but so distracted by his weird "liberal" / puritanical (anti-alcohol / fun) beliefs, that you don't know what he is trying to say. If this is the future of liberal and impartial journalism then we are destined to live with a Socialist Fascist system, and having experienced this book and this Government I think this is closer to being a reality than many think (despite the arguments of ideology!)
Excellent book, 27 Sep 2008
I took this book on holiday with me and I feel a week by the pool is a perfect way to enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed the pace of this work. I felt it gave just the right amount of detail without dwelling on unimportant facts.
For me it was constantly enthralling. As a 23 year-old I certainly learnt a great deal. The detail is far greater than the BBC series that accompanied the book. My only doubt is whether had I lived through the times discussed I would have found it a little lightweight.
History at its best, 26 Sep 2008
I found this book a real pleasure to read. It is a penetrating and scholarly account of Britain's post-war history. It is brilliantly researched and beautifully written - the author has a good eye for the amusing bon mot - yet it deals in a balanced and sensible way with the key developments and personalities of the post-war era. If a better book has been published in the past year, then I have not come across it.
A future school textbook - and useful now., 29 Aug 2008
This book was updated for its paperback release and having read it carefully I suspect that many of the errors referred to by other reviewers were removed at that point. Having lived out of Britain for a sizeable chunk of my adult life, I found that I had much to learn from the pages - several large gaps in my knowledge were filled in.
I found it difficult to detect any signs of bias, and Andrew Marr's easy writing style made it a pleasure to read. This is almost as far removed from the dry history textbook that I wrestled with as a young student as it is possible to be. For anyone wanting a crash course on British modern history, this could not be bettered. Well researched and referenced, this deserves to become a standard.
Very, very funny, 30 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for anyone who has an interest in British history and has a sense of humour. If you already have at least a basic level of knowledge of any period of British history pre-1945 and are looking for a book which is an easy and light hearted read then this is for you. It is crammed full of comedy based upon Ancient and Roman Britain right up to WWII. The entire book is divided into small sections, on average I'd estimate about 2 pages each, which makes it perfect for quick snatches of humour whenever you have a spare couple of minutes. Personally, I couldn't put it down - I found it to be a real page turner.
Highly recommended.
Good substitute for fiction at bedtime, 11 Nov 2008
Though it claims to be witty, I'm afraid I can't add to the glowing reports of this book. This is not to say that it is an awful book, merely that I found it hard to engage with the style of John O'Farrell.
The reading is light and is a good a book to snuggle up in bed with as any, but I found the jokes were sometimes lacking and repetitive.
In terms of information I can't say that it was controversial to anything I have so far studied. It was hardly detailed but this is understandable with how much information was crammed into the tome.
John O'Farrell attempts to see history from a low-class point of view- a difficult challenge considering the mediocre information to be found on the subject in many eras- but I think he labours his point on 'upper-class' idiots a little too much, making his witty remarks at little less witty and a little more boring.
A good read overall but a little over-done.
Ponderous text, predictable humour, 10 Nov 2008
Whilst the subject matter of this book (Britain's distant history - present day) is presented in a palatable way, the allegedly 'humorous' asides have made this read, at best, disappointing. I was prepared for this book to be witty (I've read some of John O'Farrell's other work), but not witty in such a pedestrian way - cheap predictable joke after cheap predictable joke. I expected better.
The best history book there is... I don't like history., 29 Oct 2008
This book takes 2000 years of British (mostly English) history, and is sarcastic about it. What the TV show "Have I Got News For You" does for the last 7 days, this book does for two millennia (in 500 pages).
I've never seen the point of reading about history. Although people say that it's about learning important lessons from the past to benefit all our futures, to me it always seemed like a long list of pointless names and dates which formed some kind of list of what order things just happened to happen in.
It's very funny, mostly in very witty ways (though there are a couple of cringeworthy puns), yet it's full of factual information that really does make it feel like you're learning something. It's patriotic but in an intelligent rather than a mindless bulldog way. There's massive helpings of satire and plenty of comparisons to modern-day news events.
It drags a bit around the year 1600 (but I think that's the fault of history itself rather than the book) but the World War stuff is genuinely moving. A really worthwhile read.
This is the only history book I'll ever need. In fact it's the only history book I'll ever read.
It's not often I give a book up after reading 50 pages......, 24 Oct 2008
..... but I did with this one. I bought it because a friend said it was hilarious. I found it really irritating having some reasonable historic insight interspersed with purile humour, mostly revolving around repeated incarnations of essentially the same joke. It just goes to show that different people find different things funny! I hope someone who likes this sort of humour bought it from the Oxfam shop where I sent my copy.
Dissapointing, 13 Nov 2008
I was really looking forwards to this book, I am an avid reader of anything to do with Tudor history and the wars of the roses and as there is relatively little written on the early years of Henry VIII I was keen to discover more about his personality, his friendships, his marriage, his life and what made him into the tyrant most people recognise him as. Starkey's introduction was promising, I was chomping at the bit to get into this book, but it never really got going for me. Maybe I have read too much on the subject and it was all old news to me, there were little nuggets but no real meaty information.
It is possible, of course, that there is no documented evidence other than what Starkey bought to his book, or that he did not want to make any inferences - he is an historian after all and not a novelist - but I just cannot help feeling that the reader doesn't really get an insight into the boy or the young man.
There is very little on his relationships with More or Catherine of Aragon, which I would consider pretty fundemental considering the parts they both played in his life and it would have been good to have had more of a background on this in order to appreciate the enormity his actions had on his own personality, not just the consequences for the country and the church.
Assuming that you are familiar with the backgound into which Henry VIII was born; the wars of the roses, Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VII and the other main players then you can cut out two thirds of the book. I wanted to know about the man, what made him tick, his passions, his personality, his friendships, his enemies, his lifestyle and just as Starkey got going the book ended. The reader gets little more than a glimpse of 'The Virtuous Prince'.
On the plus side it is an easy read, if you know little or nothing about Henry VIII's early life then go for it.
Young Henry - a perfect read, 10 Nov 2008
David Starkey is said to be Britain's highest-paid historian and this book is prove why that is.
It is a mere pleasure to read, entertaining, but never shallow and giving you a real inside into the young Henry - the boy prince, the heir and the young king.
I especially liked that Starkey never looses the focus on Henry. Very often historians present the developments of the time in art, education, religion, politics in length but one have to make the connection to the person oneself. But not here. Starkey shows what this meant for Henry, what effects it had on him and his personality.
The chapters are very short and very easy to read.
All in all, this a book filling a real gap in the literature on Henry VIII. 100% recommended!!!
The other Henry Tudor, 30 Oct 2008
I bought this and started with anticipation. I can honestly say I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the book from start to finish, you can see how much David Starkey loves his subject matter. I must admit that after reading it I have new questions and not sure where to go to ask!! Currently waiting on part 2 but have the sneaky feeling I will have to wait till christmas for that.
Definitive and superb, 21 Oct 2008
It seems as though there is a never-ending flow of books around the Tudor dynasty, including both the fiction of Phillipa Gregory and Alison Weir to the fiction of David Starkey and others.
This book, the first of two (the latter edition will cover the later and more well know part of his life) is superb. Historical biographies can sometimes be "heavy" reading. Starkey's passion for his subject is obvious and his often anecdotal style of writing makes this an immensely pleasurable read.
If Henry VIII life is of interest to you, there is no better book out there. Simply excellent.
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
Readable and interesting book, 20 Nov 2008
This is an interesting and readable history of our country since the Second World War marred (pun intended) by a liberal/left-wing bias. Andrew Marr deals with a number of topics and this book is neither political nor social history but contains bits of each and more.
Much of the book is a re-hash of information that I had already gathered from elsewhere but some topics were new to me. For example, Andrew Marr spent some time discussing the rise of pop music and how this and the fashion industry seems to have originated mainly from people who went to art school rather than e.g. university or technical college.
The main strengths of the book are a clear writing style and the willingness to tackle slighly off beat subjects here and there so that one gained some knowledge and understanding of unfamiliar topics.
An average, anti-success summary of the UK, 15 Nov 2008
In summay, Andrew tries to bring together a very complicated period of life in the UK and diluting it to the level of the average Guardian reader (i.e. tell me what to think and that be so, and by the way I like the working class, alright guv').
Generally well researched, but so distracted by his weird "liberal" / puritanical (anti-alcohol / fun) beliefs, that you don't know what he is trying to say. If this is the future of liberal and impartial journalism then we are destined to live with a Socialist Fascist system, and having experienced this book and this Government I think this is closer to being a reality than many think (despite the arguments of ideology!)
Excellent book, 27 Sep 2008
I took this book on holiday with me and I feel a week by the pool is a perfect way to enjoy this book.
I really enjoyed the pace of this work. I felt it gave just the right amount of detail without dwelling on unimportant facts.
For me it was constantly enthralling. As a 23 year-old I certainly learnt a great deal. The detail is far greater than the BBC series that accompanied the book. My only doubt is whether had I lived through the times discussed I would have found it a little lightweight.
History at its best, 26 Sep 2008
I found this book a real pleasure to read. It is a penetrating and scholarly account of Britain's post-war history. It is brilliantly researched and beautifully written - the author has a good eye for the amusing bon mot - yet it deals in a balanced and sensible way with the key developments and personalities of the post-war era. If a better book has been published in the past year, then I have not come across it.
A future school textbook - and useful now., 29 Aug 2008
This book was updated for its paperback release and having read it carefully I suspect that many of the errors referred to by other reviewers were removed at that point. Having lived out of Britain for a sizeable chunk of my adult life, I found that I had much to learn from the pages - several large gaps in my knowledge were filled in.
I found it difficult to detect any signs of bias, and Andrew Marr's easy writing style made it a pleasure to read. This is almost as far removed from the dry history textbook that I wrestled with as a young student as it is possible to be. For anyone wanting a crash course on British modern history, this could not be bettered. Well researched and referenced, this deserves to become a standard.
Very, very funny, 30 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for anyone who has an interest in British history and has a sense of humour. If you already have at least a basic level of knowledge of any period of British history pre-1945 and are looking for a book which is an easy and light hearted read then this is for you. It is crammed full of comedy based upon Ancient and Roman Britain right up to WWII. The entire book is divided into small sections, on average I'd estimate about 2 pages each, which makes it perfect for quick snatches of humour whenever you have a spare couple of minutes. Personally, I couldn't put it down - I found it to be a real page turner.
Highly recommended.
Good substitute for fiction at bedtime, 11 Nov 2008
Though it claims to be witty, I'm afraid I can't add to the glowing reports of this book. This is not to say that it is an awful book, merely that I found it hard to engage with the style of John O'Farrell.
The reading is light and is a good a book to snuggle up in bed with as any, but I found the jokes were sometimes lacking and repetitive.
In terms of information I can't say that it was controversial to anything I have so far studied. It was hardly detailed but this is understandable with how much information was crammed into the tome.
John O'Farrell attempts to see history from a low-class point of view- a difficult challenge considering the mediocre information to be found on the subject in many eras- but I think he labours his point on 'upper-class' idiots a little too much, making his witty remarks at little less witty and a little more boring.
A good read overall but a little over-done.
Ponderous text, predictable humour, 10 Nov 2008
Whilst the subject matter of this book (Britain's distant history - present day) is presented in a palatable way, the allegedly 'humorous' asides have made this read, at best, disappointing. I was prepared for this book to be witty (I've read some of John O'Farrell's other work), but not witty in such a pedestrian way - cheap predictable joke after cheap predictable joke. I expected better.
The best history book there is... I don't like history., 29 Oct 2008
This book takes 2000 years of British (mostly English) history, and is sarcastic about it. What the TV show "Have I Got News For You" does for the last 7 days, this book does for two millennia (in 500 pages).
I've never seen the point of reading about history. Although people say that it's about learning important lessons from the past to benefit all our futures, to me it always seemed like a long list of pointless names and dates which formed some kind of list of what order things just happened to happen in.
It's very funny, mostly in very witty ways (though there are a couple of cringeworthy puns), yet it's full of factual information that really does make it feel like you're learning something. It's patriotic but in an intelligent rather than a mindless bulldog way. There's massive helpings of satire and plenty of comparisons to modern-day news events.
It drags a bit around the year 1600 (but I think that's the fault of history itself rather than the book) but the World War stuff is genuinely moving. A really worthwhile read.
This is the only history book I'll ever need. In fact it's the only history book I'll ever read.
It's not often I give a book up after reading 50 pages......, 24 Oct 2008
..... but I did with this one. I bought it because a friend said it was hilarious. I found it really irritating having some reasonable historic insight interspersed with purile humour, mostly revolving around repeated incarnations of essentially the same joke. It just goes to show that different people find different things funny! I hope someone who likes this sort of humour bought it from the Oxfam shop where I sent my copy.
Dissapointing, 13 Nov 2008
I was really looking forwards to this book, I am an avid reader of anything to do with Tudor history and the wars of the roses and as there is relatively little written on the early years of Henry VIII I was keen to discover more about his personality, his friendships, his marriage, his life and what made him into the tyrant most people recognise him as. Starkey's introduction was promising, I was chomping at the bit to get into this book, but it never really got going for me. Maybe I have read too much on the subject and it was all old news to me, there were little nuggets but no real meaty information.
It is possible, of course, that there is no documented evidence other than what Starkey bought to his book, or that he did not want to make any inferences - he is an historian after all and not a novelist - but I just cannot help feeling that the reader doesn't really get an insight into the boy or the young man.
There is very little on his relationships with More or Catherine of Aragon, which I would consider pretty fundemental considering the parts they both played in his life and it would have been good to have had more of a background on this in order to appreciate the enormity his actions had on his own personality, not just the consequences for the country and the church.
Assuming that you are familiar with the backgound into which Henry VIII was born; the wars of the roses, Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VII and the other main players then you can cut out two thirds of the book. I wanted to know about the man, what made him tick, his passions, his personality, his friendships, his enemies, his lifestyle and just as Starkey got going the book ended. The reader gets little more than a glimpse of 'The Virtuous Prince'.
On the plus side it is an easy read, if you know little or nothing about Henry VIII's early life then go for it.
Young Henry - a perfect read, 10 Nov 2008
David Starkey is said to be Britain's highest-paid historian and this book is prove why that is.
It is a mere pleasure to read, entertaining, but never shallow and giving you a real inside into the young Henry - the boy prince, the heir and the young king.
I especially liked that Starkey never looses the focus on Henry. Very often historians present the developments of the time in art, education, religion, politics in length but one have to make the connection to the person oneself. But not here. Starkey shows what this meant for Henry, what effects it had on him and his personality.
The chapters are very short and very easy to read.
All in all, this a book filling a real gap in the literature on Henry VIII. 100% recommended!!!
The other Henry Tudor, 30 Oct 2008
I bought this and started with anticipation. I can honestly say I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the book from start to finish, you can see how much David Starkey loves his subject matter. I must admit that after reading it I have new questions and not sure where to go to ask!! Currently waiting on part 2 but have the sneaky feeling I will have to wait till christmas for that.
Definitive and superb, 21 Oct 2008
It seems as though there is a never-ending flow of books around the Tudor dynasty, including both the fiction of Phillipa Gregory and Alison Weir to the fiction of David Starkey and others.
This book, the first of two (the latter edition will cover the later and more well know part of his life) is superb. Historical biographies can sometimes be "heavy" reading. Starkey's passion for his subject is obvious and his often anecdotal style of writing makes this an immensely pleasurable read.
If Henry VIII life is of interest to you, there is no better book out there. Simply excellent.
Comments by Michael Calum Jacques, author of '1st Century Radical'., 25 Nov 2008
This fascinating book, thick with historical data and insights, makes a riveting read. Whilst having no wish to quarrel with previous reviewers, for this reviewer, the book's strength is to be found within the all too rare combination of the elucidation of pertinent details and the subsequent compilation and marshaling of this data in order to reach coherent conclusions. The hi-lighting of detailed minutiae is only of secondary value, it would appear, if any historical advances are unable to be procured from it. Fortunately, this fastidiously researched volume abounds in both.
It is a lengthy read, at round 670 pages, and is at times dense in the chronicled information it conveys. It is an honest read, too, and this reviewer proffers that an alternative title could well have been formed along the lines of 'How Roosevelt, Churchill, Marshall and Alanbrooke very nearly didn't Win the War in the West'! Indeed, some readers - especially those none too conversant with the internecine bickering that went on in and around the corridors of power prior to the D-Day Landings, for example - might be quite take aback at the apparent abrasiveness and the various fractious dealings which formed part of the staple diet of 'Allied' conferences, rhetoric and debate.
This reviewer would want to take issue with one or two points in previous press reviews which have suggested that, whilst Andrew Roberts' book remains a immense achievement, it establishes and thus contributes only slight, minor historical detail to the ongoing research into the WWII fray. Surely this is both to ignore key passages and sections of the book and to miss the point. Firstly, from an historical perspective, Roberts has successfully revealed a number of new 'primary' sources (in the forms of 'oral' reports and written chronicles, diaries et al) and, secondly, this information helps us to somewhat 'recalibrate' certainly, and possibly even to reassess the methods and the roles of a number of key policymakers. Again, this would appear to illustrate the author's successful achievement in having interpreted the mass of available data and having translated this into 'applied history'.
There is plenty of historical meat within this work and it should appeal to the interested/well-informed general reader on the one hand and the historian (and possibly even the military tactician) on the other. IThis reviewer found the sections relating to the Allies' 'sweep' across Europe especially interesting and I must congratulate Andrew Roberts on handling the material (which remains a sensitive substance within certain quarters and factions) very well, with confidence and authority. Narratives pertaining to the reticence with which Brooke approached the invasion of France, the mood swings and what amounted to the basic pessimism of Churchill et al will never sit easily with some, yet to gloss over delicate topics such as these would be to gloss over history and to, ultimately misrepresent it. As Quiller-Couch put it, we sometimes have to be prepared 'to murder our darlings' ... occasionally these need to be historical or conceptual little treasures, too!
In a nutshell, this volume accomplishes a great deal, to the mind of this reviewer, at least. It is eminently readable, dense with data, and offers measurable and definite conclusions based on the material within. As ever, this work, too, will now be subject to the rigours of historic analysis itself. This reviewer suspects that it will fair pretty well.
Michael Calum Jacques (author of '1st Century Radical: the shadowy origins of the man who became known as Jesus Christ')
The National Reviews So Far, 12 Oct 2008
Reviews of Masters and Commanders
`Writing with clarity and elegance, Mr Roberts conveys how his four principals and their armies of aides and staff officers thrashed out the formulae for victory. This is an important book which, in its layered references to Waterloo, the Crimea and the Somme, sees Mr Roberts lay claim to the title of Britain's finest contemporary military historian.'
The Economist
`Despite eschewing the visceral drama of the battlefield for the less deadly, if no less hard-fought, debates of various Allied conferences, cabinets and committees, Roberts has produced a surprisingly gripping read. He has marshalled his material superbly and his warts-and-all assessment of his four subjects is invariable spot-on. Exhaustively researched and judiciously written, with a gimlet eye for telling detail, this may be his finest book yet.'
Saul David, Sunday Telegraph
`In Masters and Commanders, Roberts offers us a compelling analysis of American and British strategy during the war. He also tells a profoundly human story - of two soldiers who loyally served their masters, only to be each denied at the end the prize that would have made one of them world famous.'
Laurence Rees, Sunday Times
`Roberts displays a profound understanding of the interactions between strategy and politics, and his interpretation of British/US strategic relations between 1941 and 1945 is unlikely to be superseded.'
Prof Vernon Bogdanor, Financial Times
`Couched in elegant prose, this book is a masterpiece of robust historical analysis, steeped in scholarship and alive to every nuance of personality. Roberts re-evaluates each of the masters and commanders with scrupulous fairness.'
Christopher Silvester, Daily Express
`The author has crafted a masterly and fresh interpretation of the grand strategy of World War II. Roberts's pen-portraits, with their wealth of amusing and often acerbic anecdotes, reveal the evolution of that strategy by the master statesmen.'
John Crossland, Daily Mail
`The strength of Masters and Commanders lies in the power of the narrative and the fascinating detail used to construct it. Roberts has exploited a rich mine of private papers to fill in missing parts of the story, and although there is little new to be learned about the long strategic arguments between the British and the Americans over the best way to defeat Hitler, there is a lot to learn about the way that argument took place. Roberts has a shrewd grasp of the ins and outs of decision making.'
Prof Richard Overy, Literary Review
`Marshal Foch famously said that he had "less respect for Napoleon, now that I know what a coalition is". The high quality of the leadership of the coalition Andrew Roberts so expertly describes was a decisive factor in their success.'
Conrad Black, Mail on Sunday
`A wonderful page-turner, a really good read.'
Chris Patten, Start the Week
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Customer Reviews
Never too late, 11 Nov 2008
What amazes me the most about Henry Allingham's fascinating and inspiring life story is that for 30 years he lived a quiet life in his Eastbourne flat, and hadn't spoken about the War since it ended. Then, after reaching 100, his life changed completely and he's now had up to 47 event appearances in a single year. This shows astonishing flexibility and ability to change. It is a truly inspiring book. Aside from the personal aspects given to many historical events it is an account of the triumph of the human spirit. Henry is a star!
Fine Work, 03 Nov 2008
The words of Henry Allingham are astonishingly sharp considering his great age. Thanks to his memories we get an intimate glimpse into Edwardian times. There are perceptive words too from the co-author that put Allingham's experiences into context. Altogether a fine work and a valuable resource.
A remarkable life, 16 Oct 2008
Kitchener's Last Volunteer relates the story of a life remarkable in so many ways. Henry Allingham, the co-author along with Dennis Goodwin, was born in 1896 and the circumstances of his early life seem remarkable from the present day - truly a very different world
This memoir focuses on his experiences during the First World War, where he served in the Royal Naval Air Service and saw action at both the Battle of Jutland and Third Ypres, and his recollections of those events are interspersed by historical notes that provide a detailed context to the personal stories.
Beyond the First World War the book also deals with the author's experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and life in 20th-century Britain, until the final chapters describe how the author came to terms with his of war service and became active in commemoration and education.
What really comes through form the book is the sheer breadth of Henry Allingham's life and experiences and it is a fascinating read and highly recommended.
A privilege to read, and a joy too, 01 Oct 2008
I've just finished reading this - a book I devoured almost without putting it down. That 112 year old can really write!
Henry Allingham is a fascinating character - the only man alive who saw the Grand Fleet steaming towards Jutland, and also the last of those who fought in the first air war in history. Mr. Allingham has a dry, self-deprecating style which is highly engaging. I was drawn into his autobiographical tale, almost as if he had been talking to me directly.
The narrative of this remarkable 112 year old is interspersed with short passages of historical scene-setting, filling in the background to Henry's story. Consequently they add rather than detract from the narrative.
The whole book is delightful - a personal narrative by an extremely personable old man. I've read several first-hand accounts by Great War veterans before, but this is in a league all of its own, both for the scope of Henry's story, and for the engaging way he tells it.
I can't recommend this book too highly.
A fitting account of our hero...Well done Henry. Fantastic!!!!, 29 Sep 2008
I just love to read these accounts of the life of a true hero that has lived through numerous decades and gives us an insight into the daily lives during each era. This book also gives us a birds eye view of life in the great war. If ever there was a book that should be read by everyone then this is it.
I would also recommend Harry Patch's book,"the last fighting tommy", with equal status.
These two fine books should sit alongside each other on every bookshelf across the country to be read time and time again.
Thank you Henry for giving us this account and it is a true hero that still talks with such compassion for his lost but never forgotten colleagues. Brothers in arms has never had more meaning.
The Last fighting Tommy, The life of Harry Patch, 18 Nov 2008
Amazing this all I can say, Im not a fan of War books, but this is truly brilliant, Richard VAN Emden has put this together amazingly, Im going to read a few more of his books. READ IT
A century of experiences, 12 Nov 2008
I saved this for now as it is the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI. It is amazing how clear Harry's memories are and in what fine fettle he is considering his great age. The most remarkable thing about him is that he was an unremarkable man in remarkable, indeed shattering and horrific, times. Worth reading for a century and more of an ordinary man's life and memories.
A hero tells his story and let us never forget., 06 Oct 2008
I have just read Henry Allingham's book which led me to reread Jimmy Corbin's ,(please read my reviews on these books), and now I have just finished rereading Harry's book.
It is very interesting to hear how their lives panned out and when you consider how differently these three mens lives are it beggars belief to even contemplate the lives of every other fighter from ww1 and 2. One thing I know is that every last one of them would have a story worth reading though.
I would distrust anyone who considers this book to be worthy of less than 5 stars as this man like so many others did his duty so we were able to keep our freedom. These boys were fighting for more than their own lives as some reviewers seem to forget.
sour grapes are best left with footballers wives and the likes.
A Patchwork Quilt named Peace, 04 Oct 2008
No more than a week or so ago the nearby village of Langemarck-Poelkapelle hailed our long-term and cherished visitor Harry Patch. Patch, who has recently turned an unheard of 110 (!) and boasts an equally impressive score of visits to our Salient, had been a simple plumber before he came over to fight, which turned him into a hero just by surviving and then waiting (and testifying).
At Langemarck, where thousands of German young students were laid to rest, Harry pointed out the very spot where in 1917 he and his fellow-soldiers crossed the Steenbeek (een beek is a brook; Steenbeek could be Stone brook) and insisted on a simple memorial stone to be erected there in an act of commemoration of all his fellow-soldiers, whether or not they made it, even whether or not they hade been on his own or on the other side.
Mr Patch is cherished especially as he is one of the very last three (3!) Tommies to have survived the war and, like Harry, are well in their 100s themselves now.
Around the same time as Harry's visit, which - as the media said - might well be his last, a Belgian soldier and inhabitant of Langemarck-Poelkapelle (35) met his death while attempting to `put away with a shell' while in the course of a peaceful UN mission in the Lebanon.
Perhaps the long and the short of it is that what one tries to do here in our region is to enhance and foster the awareness that no, this war is anything but over; what the concept of the prospective Peace Park Flanders comes up to is to continue to draw that thin line of life that stretches from here to way back there. Pretty much as Harry Patch does, if one comes to think of it.
It is as thin as the line between love and hate. And thin as the line between reminiscence and forgetfulness.
As our unholy holy region of Ypres was and is burdened with history, let us continue to preserve the memory of all those nameless shameless names. `Lest I my pangèd grave must share with you. / Else dead. Else cold.', as the passionate soldier-poet Ivor Gurney said it. Remembering is conservative.
It sets out to preserve the past and keep it unscathed, for the benefit of ourselves and our future.
What a character you are, Harry! Thank you, for just being yourself.
Fascinating and thought provoking, 02 Oct 2008
I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read and did not want it to end. What an amazing period of history captured in one man's life story. The character of the man shines through. He has lived in a world that is all too forgotten nowadays but through this book he has kept it alive for us to read. He shows a willingness to forgive but not forget. A must read.
Readable and interesting book, 20 Nov 2008
This is an interesting and readable history of our country since the Second World War marred (pun intended) by a liberal/left-wing bias. Andrew Marr deals with a number of topics and this book is neither political nor social history but contains bits of each and more.
Much of the book is a re-hash of information that I had already gathered from e | | |