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.

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.

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.

Wizardry!, 14 Oct 2008
I must start by saying that 'Churchill's Wizards' is first and foremost a great read. Nicholas Rankin has managed to turn what at first sight may seem like a forbiddingly esoteric subject into a thoroughly accessible and engaging narrative full of intrigue and incident. This is in no small part down to some very accomplished writing, which throughout the book is always adding splashes of colour to the blacks and whites of historical fact. The rather wonderful picture of Gavrilo Princip at the start of the book, `a tubercular and weedy-looking youth,' consoling himself with a sandwich in Moritz Schiller's cafe after a failed attempt on the life of the Archduke and just before he was to be given a second chance by way of the infamous `wrong turn', is a case in point I think.

`Wizards' story of the secret wars of deception that were fought beneath the surface of the two World Wars is as surprising as it is fascinating. The tales of ingenuity, audacity and at times damn right eccentricity that characterised the British deceptions and ruses are each interesting in their own right and are invariably drawn with much humour and heart. But it is how these portraits fit into the bigger picture that will have the reader gripped; as `Wizards' reworks the annals of war from the perspective of deception. Giving us fresh takes on familiar campaigns and events like `Gallipoli' and `D-day' that have been all but exhausted by books and films.

I have to say that Mr Rankin does this with all the subtlety and skill of one of his 'camofluers': seamlessly integrating vast tracts of unfamiliar territory into the well-trodden historical landscapes of the first and second World Wars. But rather than hollowed-out trees and dummy tanks what one can expect to find when they examine this book is something of real substance. That is, a superbly crafted piece of scholarship that is hugely informative and very, very readable.

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.

Wizardry!, 14 Oct 2008
I must start by saying that 'Churchill's Wizards' is first and foremost a great read. Nicholas Rankin has managed to turn what at first sight may seem like a forbiddingly esoteric subject into a thoroughly accessible and engaging narrative full of intrigue and incident. This is in no small part down to some very accomplished writing, which throughout the book is always adding splashes of colour to the blacks and whites of historical fact. The rather wonderful picture of Gavrilo Princip at the start of the book, `a tubercular and weedy-looking youth,' consoling himself with a sandwich in Moritz Schiller's cafe after a failed attempt on the life of the Archduke and just before he was to be given a second chance by way of the infamous `wrong turn', is a case in point I think.

`Wizards' story of the secret wars of deception that were fought beneath the surface of the two World Wars is as surprising as it is fascinating. The tales of ingenuity, audacity and at times damn right eccentricity that characterised the British deceptions and ruses are each interesting in their own right and are invariably drawn with much humour and heart. But it is how these portraits fit into the bigger picture that will have the reader gripped; as `Wizards' reworks the annals of war from the perspective of deception. Giving us fresh takes on familiar campaigns and events like `Gallipoli' and `D-day' that have been all but exhausted by books and films.

I have to say that Mr Rankin does this with all the subtlety and skill of one of his 'camofluers': seamlessly integrating vast tracts of unfamiliar territory into the well-trodden historical landscapes of the first and second World Wars. But rather than hollowed-out trees and dummy tanks what one can expect to find when they examine this book is something of real substance. That is, a superbly crafted piece of scholarship that is hugely informative and very, very readable.

The Soldiers' War, 10 Nov 2008
The Soldiers' War is genuinely exceptional. There are other Great War anthologies around, but this one stands out by a country mile. The book claims to contain primarily unpublished stories from 1914-1918 and whilst I do not know enough about the period to comment, I do not recognise any accounts that I have read before. Furthermore, the breadth and exquisite balance of the tales here makes this book so very gripping.
The book contains not just the familiar stories associated with the war, but others that I have never even thought about: There is a man pulling 18th Century pewter from a dugout, another finding a Roman Sword uncovered by a shell explosion. There are stories of the survival and the beauty of nature, and of men locating trout ponds behind the Somme Battlefield for a spot of fishing.
Some of the stories are frightening and, at times, violent; many others are deeply moving and occasionally almost poetic, emotionally charged as they are. Others are genuinely funny, such as the officer who writes about two Geordie friends one of whom is shot and wounded. One man rips open the tunic of the other, looks at the wound and says `ee man, its champion'. The friend, pleased with the nice wound, replies: `Howay, Geordie, gan awa and shake hands with the German for bein' sae canny.' The incredible gallows humour of conflict.
I found the illustrations extraordinary, not least because the soldiers themselves took them, using their own private cameras, which were banned and therefore illegal. I've never seen such privately taken images elsewhere, although one slight nit-picky point here is the quality of reproduction - it's good, but given their historical importance might have been a little better. That said, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, this book is an outstanding tribute to those men who lost so much, and whose sacrifices we must keep on remembering.


Personal accounts brought alive., 01 Nov 2008
Whilst this is in no way an original format for WW1 books, much of the material is. I have to be honest and say I was expecting more interesting new photographs, but they are remarkable from the point of view that they were taken on Kodak pocket cameras that were banned for most of the war.

The book is mainly a selection of personal accounts, and are a great way for those who have never taken an interest in WW1 to quickly get a feel for the experiences of soldiers without having to study the dry minutiae of war tactics and so on. My personal favourite cameo was one where a British soldier goes to steal some chickens for lunch, but comes across a German doing the same. The German merely nods to acknowledge the Tommy, and both carry on with catching their respective chickens and returning to their trenches.

In all, I think it's been a bit over-marketed on the new photos, but the book is certainly a must-read.




The Soldiers War., 18 Oct 2008
I don't normally feel compelled to comment on any books I read, however this new book by Richard Van Emden is so good that I couldn't resist making my views known.
The book progresses year by year through the duration of the war, each chapter is full of amazing personal accounts most of which have never previously been published, through these Mr Van Emden sets out not just to tell us of the utter horror of the war, but also of the everyday experiences of the troops out of the line.
However it is not just the superb text that makes this book a must buy, the book also contains many truely excellent unpublished photos that I have never seen before. Most of these photos were taken by troops using their own cameras which was strictly against regulations, but thanks to their efforts they give us a remarkable view of their world.
This book isn't just for those who have a major interest in the war, but should be read by just about everyone in order to give us all a better understanding of what this generation suffered.
A really superb read.

In 1914 Vera Brittain was 21 years old, and an undergraduate student at Somerville College, Oxford. When war broke out in August of that year, Brittain "temporarily" disrupted her studies to enrol as a volunteer nurse, nursing casualties both in England and on the Western Front. The next four years were to cause a deep rupture in Brittain's life, as she witnessed not only the horrors of war first hand, but also experienced the quadruple loss of her fiancé, her brother, and two close friends. Testament of Youth is a powerfully written, unsentimental memoir which has continued to move and enthral readers since its first publication in 1933. Brittain, a pacifist since her First World War experiences, prefaces the book with a fairy tale, in which Catherine, the heroine, encounters a fairy godmother and is given the choice of having either a happy youth or a happy old age. She selects the latter and so her fate is determined: "Now this woman," warns the tale, "was the destiny of poor Catherine." And we find as we delve deeper into the book that she was the destiny of poor Vera too.

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.

Wizardry!, 14 Oct 2008
I must start by saying that 'Churchill's Wizards' is first and foremost a great read. Nicholas Rankin has managed to turn what at first sight may seem like a forbiddingly esoteric subject into a thoroughly accessible and engaging narrative full of intrigue and incident. This is in no small part down to some very accomplished writing, which throughout the book is always adding splashes of colour to the blacks and whites of historical fact. The rather wonderful picture of Gavrilo Princip at the start of the book, `a tubercular and weedy-looking youth,' consoling himself with a sandwich in Moritz Schiller's cafe after a failed attempt on the life of the Archduke and just before he was to be given a second chance by way of the infamous `wrong turn', is a case in point I think.

`Wizards' story of the secret wars of deception that were fought beneath the surface of the two World Wars is as surprising as it is fascinating. The tales of ingenuity, audacity and at times damn right eccentricity that characterised the British deceptions and ruses are each interesting in their own right and are invariably drawn with much humour and heart. But it is how these portraits fit into the bigger picture that will have the reader gripped; as `Wizards' reworks the annals of war from the perspective of deception. Giving us fresh takes on familiar campaigns and events like `Gallipoli' and `D-day' that have been all but exhausted by books and films.

I have to say that Mr Rankin does this with all the subtlety and skill of one of his 'camofluers': seamlessly integrating vast tracts of unfamiliar territory into the well-trodden historical landscapes of the first and second World Wars. But rather than hollowed-out trees and dummy tanks what one can expect to find when they examine this book is something of real substance. That is, a superbly crafted piece of scholarship that is hugely informative and very, very readable.

The Soldiers' War, 10 Nov 2008
The Soldiers' War is genuinely exceptional. There are other Great War anthologies around, but this one stands out by a country mile. The book claims to contain primarily unpublished stories from 1914-1918 and whilst I do not know enough about the period to comment, I do not recognise any accounts that I have read before. Furthermore, the breadth and exquisite balance of the tales here makes this book so very gripping.
The book contains not just the familiar stories associated with the war, but others that I have never even thought about: There is a man pulling 18th Century pewter from a dugout, another finding a Roman Sword uncovered by a shell explosion. There are stories of the survival and the beauty of nature, and of men locating trout ponds behind the Somme Battlefield for a spot of fishing.
Some of the stories are frightening and, at times, violent; many others are deeply moving and occasionally almost poetic, emotionally charged as they are. Others are genuinely funny, such as the officer who writes about two Geordie friends one of whom is shot and wounded. One man rips open the tunic of the other, looks at the wound and says `ee man, its champion'. The friend, pleased with the nice wound, replies: `Howay, Geordie, gan awa and shake hands with the German for bein' sae canny.' The incredible gallows humour of conflict.
I found the illustrations extraordinary, not least because the soldiers themselves took them, using their own private cameras, which were banned and therefore illegal. I've never seen such privately taken images elsewhere, although one slight nit-picky point here is the quality of reproduction - it's good, but given their historical importance might have been a little better. That said, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, this book is an outstanding tribute to those men who lost so much, and whose sacrifices we must keep on remembering.


Personal accounts brought alive., 01 Nov 2008
Whilst this is in no way an original format for WW1 books, much of the material is. I have to be honest and say I was expecting more interesting new photographs, but they are remarkable from the point of view that they were taken on Kodak pocket cameras that were banned for most of the war.

The book is mainly a selection of personal accounts, and are a great way for those who have never taken an interest in WW1 to quickly get a feel for the experiences of soldiers without having to study the dry minutiae of war tactics and so on. My personal favourite cameo was one where a British soldier goes to steal some chickens for lunch, but comes across a German doing the same. The German merely nods to acknowledge the Tommy, and both carry on with catching their respective chickens and returning to their trenches.

In all, I think it's been a bit over-marketed on the new photos, but the book is certainly a must-read.




The Soldiers War., 18 Oct 2008
I don't normally feel compelled to comment on any books I read, however this new book by Richard Van Emden is so good that I couldn't resist making my views known.
The book progresses year by year through the duration of the war, each chapter is full of amazing personal accounts most of which have never previously been published, through these Mr Van Emden sets out not just to tell us of the utter horror of the war, but also of the everyday experiences of the troops out of the line.
However it is not just the superb text that makes this book a must buy, the book also contains many truely excellent unpublished photos that I have never seen before. Most of these photos were taken by troops using their own cameras which was strictly against regulations, but thanks to their efforts they give us a remarkable view of their world.
This book isn't just for those who have a major interest in the war, but should be read by just about everyone in order to give us all a better understanding of what this generation suffered.
A really superb read.

utterly heartbreaking; one woman's war, 15 Jun 2008
My mother having pressed me to read this book, I finally got round to it early this year. Thank God I did.

I cannot begin to put into words how much this book touched me. Vera Brittan must be an inspiration to all women; a strong and determined character who, despite losing almost everything to the War, did not give up. Vera Brittan was a young, ambitious girl growing up pre-war with aspirations to go to University (something uncommon for the day.) She succeeded in getting into Oxford to study English. Then the War came crashing into her life, and Vera's brother and friends get called up to fight. She herself finds her place, working as a nurse first in London, then abroad. Vera Brittan lost so much to this horrific War and yet still found the strength to write about her experiences. This is no fiction, but a true, heartbreaking story of one woman's war.

A most poignant and haunting read, Vera Brittan's tragic story of love, family, duty and growing up will stay with you long after you finish the last page.


An important memoir of the Great War and its aftermath, 03 Jan 2008
In 1929 Vera Brittain ( 1893- 1970) began using her extensive diaries and correspondence to start writing her auto-biographical epic from 1913-1925, which was published in 1933. At the time Brittain was a part time lecturer for supporters of the League of Nations, a journalist, and had written two novels which had not been particularly well received. Ambitious and a feminist, Brittain seemed determined to succeed at something, and her greatest achievement has been in autobiography.

The book is well written : Brittain depicts her own life, frustrations, personal losses , near breakdown and subsequent attempts at building new life and friendships after the Great War in an endearing manner. Her humanitarianism, her social observations, the fact that she reminded the world how those people away from direct military action, (especially women and men to old to fight) suffered along with the men who were maimed, traumatised, or killed . Brittain also nurses enemy soldiers and also visited Germany after the War, and her compassion extended to the German people. The book also clearly documents how women's lives changed during this time period.

`Testament of Youth' is not great literary fiction, compared with Siegfried Sassoon' Memoirs of an Infantry Officer'. The book has its opponents, one unkind critic referred to Brittain as the `princess of self-pity'. The book is centred around her own suffering and personal losses ( of fiancé, friends, brother), though millions of other people experienced great levels of bereavement at this time. Whether she has the right to be heralded as the `voice' of a generation in this respect is open to question. Certainly Brittain's supporters will point out that the book's success was due to a large number of her contemporaries feeling at least some affinity with her suffering.

Further research has suggested that her brother Edward killed in 1918, may have taken his own life or deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire so as to avoid the disgrace of a court martial ( see `Vera Brittain A life' , Paul Berry and Mark Bostridge 1995). In `Testament of Youth' this is not disclosed to the reader, and one wonders if other amendments have been made though it also to fair say that the book's detractors have found few factual errors in the work.

Above all `Testament of Youth' has undergone a revival , after its transatlantic success in the 1930's, with a new generation of readers as from the late 1970's, because its' vision of the Great War-as a senseless carnage- is now popular. The book was re-published by Virago, the feminist publishing house, whose mission was to showcase work by women authors. It's revival coincided with a new wave of feminist anti-militarism. It is easily the most cited Great War memoir written by a woman. Moreover, the tale of a survivor such as Vera Brittain who witnesses great tragedy but by the end of the book in 1925 has found love again, has great contemporary appeal. Ultimately Vera Brittain has ensured that her perception of the Great War was known to millions of people and the names of those who close to her who perished or also suffered great loss, have been remembered,which must make it a success

The book that changed my life, 08 Feb 2007
I first read this book when I was about 15 and it had such a remarkable effect on my life that 25 years later I still return to it again and again. It encapsulates so much of the period; the desperate need to get into higher education, the horror of war and its aftermath, how to make sense of it all and finally the joy of love and of friendship. Try Chronicles of Youth as well, the diaries on which she based the book.

A classic: shattering at times, always enlightening, 23 May 2004
Vera Brittain's account was written in the early 1930s, as she tried to make sense of the extraordinary bereavement that affected those of her generation who survived the First World War.
Growing up in provincial Edwardian England, a fascinating piece of writing in itself, she falls in love with one of her brothers's friends in 1914. The romance is going well, until the outbreak of war sweeps in to disrupt her life. Suddenly the love of her life, as well as her brother and some other close friends, are all in the trenches, trying to live out the noble heroic dream on behalf of King and Country.
Unable to support directly, she joins the nursing corps as a volunteer but there is no consolation for her as first her fiance, then her friends and finally her brother die.
Her account of desolation when she receives the news each time is traumatising and shows a side of life you don't get from the war poems: the horror of war not from the front line, but from the perspective of almost continuous bereavement, among people who feel helpless and increasingly angry with the world. Her perspectives on daily life in London in the war years are as insightful as the descriptions of nursing in Malta and France, where she spent the bulk of her time. Certain details, such as the atmosphere behind the lines as the British wilt before the Ludendorff offensive, but are rallied by a missive from Field Marshall Haig will interest even those who know a lot about the history of it.
Yet it is the human story which is most powerful.
This is a brutally honest book, and she does not paint herself without warts: she is obsessive about academic study, has a mental breakdown after the war and doesn't make it easy on anyone courting her thereafter. Yet Brittain's problems outside the war, of a woman trying to combine a career with marriage, anticipate the great feminist struggles of the 20th and 21st centuries. Indeed, her honesty gives the book a raw truth.
Yet this is not just her story. As she herself writes, this is the story of a generation whose men were wiped out in battle and whose women were shattered by bereavement.
The book continues after the war following her work with the League of Nations until 1925 and this has only limited interest today: the really timeless passages come from earlier on. Profoundly affecting and profoundly insightful, in beautiful prose, this deserves its classic status.

An amazing story of love, 28 Oct 2003
I read this book for my A Levels, last year, as we were studying Worl War One Literature. Such a hefty tome looked completely imtimidating, but I decided to start anyway. I soon became completely engrossed in this book. Vera Brittains simple style is so poignant, and the heartrending events are described sensitively and with candour Vera tells of her feelings at the demands of her family, the war and her studies, culminating in the deaths of her brother, and her fiance Roland. The love between Roland and Vera is a pivotal part of this story, and to my mind is the epitome of true, optimistic, young love. The tragic event of his death and the sorrow Vera experiences throughout the war permeates the book.

This is an amazing, inspiring book and should by read by anyone who beileves that world war one has no relevance to our lives now, or anyone interested in a woman's perspective on important historical events.

Vera Brittain rules!!!! Seriously read this book, buy it now! :) The excellent poetry that preceeds each chapter is so deeply touching. Especially "Perhaps" written after Roland's death by Vera, which tells of her sadness, that she doesn't even notice the shining sun, or appreciate the beauty of nature which was so heightened previous to his death.

Really excellent book; perhaps my all time favourite, and I have read a lot of books!

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.

Wizardry!, 14 Oct 2008
I must start by saying that 'Churchill's Wizards' is first and foremost a great read. Nicholas Rankin has managed to turn what at first sight may seem like a forbiddingly esoteric subject into a thoroughly accessible and engaging narrative full of intrigue and incident. This is in no small part down to some very accomplished writing, which throughout the book is always adding splashes of colour to the blacks and whites of historical fact. The rather wonderful picture of Gavrilo Princip at the start of the book, `a tubercular and weedy-looking youth,' consoling himself with a sandwich in Moritz Schiller's cafe after a failed attempt on the life of the Archduke and just before he was to be given a second chance by way of the infamous `wrong turn', is a case in point I think.

`Wizards' story of the secret wars of deception that were fought beneath the surface of the two World Wars is as surprising as it is fascinating. The tales of ingenuity, audacity and at times damn right eccentricity that characterised the British deceptions and ruses are each interesting in their own right and are invariably drawn with much humour and heart. But it is how these portraits fit into the bigger picture that will have the reader gripped; as `Wizards' reworks the annals of war from the perspective of deception. Giving us fresh takes on familiar campaigns and events like `Gallipoli' and `D-day' that have been all but exhausted by books and films.

I have to say that Mr Rankin does this with all the subtlety and skill of one of his 'camofluers': seamlessly integrating vast tracts of unfamiliar territory into the well-trodden historical landscapes of the first and second World Wars. But rather than hollowed-out trees and dummy tanks what one can expect to find when they examine this book is something of real substance. That is, a superbly crafted piece of scholarship that is hugely informative and very, very readable.

The Soldiers' War, 10 Nov 2008
The Soldiers' War is genuinely exceptional. There are other Great War anthologies around, but this one stands out by a country mile. The book claims to contain primarily unpublished stories from 1914-1918 and whilst I do not know enough about the period to comment, I do not recognise any accounts that I have read before. Furthermore, the breadth and exquisite balance of the tales here makes this book so very gripping.
The book contains not just the familiar stories associated with the war, but others that I have never even thought about: There is a man pulling 18th Century pewter from a dugout, another finding a Roman Sword uncovered by a shell explosion. There are stories of the survival and the beauty of nature, and of men locating trout ponds behind the Somme Battlefield for a spot of fishing.
Some of the stories are frightening and, at times, violent; many others are deeply moving and occasionally almost poetic, emotionally charged as they are. Others are genuinely funny, such as the officer who writes about two Geordie friends one of whom is shot and wounded. One man rips open the tunic of the other, looks at the wound and says `ee man, its champion'. The friend, pleased with the nice wound, replies: `Howay, Geordie, gan awa and shake hands with the German for bein' sae canny.' The incredible gallows humour of conflict.
I found the illustrations extraordinary, not least because the soldiers themselves took them, using their own private cameras, which were banned and therefore illegal. I've never seen such privately taken images elsewhere, although one slight nit-picky point here is the quality of reproduction - it's good, but given their historical importance might have been a little better. That said, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, this book is an outstanding tribute to those men who lost so much, and whose sacrifices we must keep on remembering.


Personal accounts brought alive., 01 Nov 2008
Whilst this is in no way an original format for WW1 books, much of the material is. I have to be honest and say I was expecting more interesting new photographs, but they are remarkable from the point of view that they were taken on Kodak pocket cameras that were banned for most of the war.

The book is mainly a selection of personal accounts, and are a great way for those who have never taken an interest in WW1 to quickly get a feel for the experiences of soldiers without having to study the dry minutiae of war tactics and so on. My personal favourite cameo was one where a British soldier goes to steal some chickens for lunch, but comes across a German doing the same. The German merely nods to acknowledge the Tommy, and both carry on with catching their respective chickens and returning to their trenches.

In all, I think it's been a bit over-marketed on the new photos, but the book is certainly a must-read.




The Soldiers War., 18 Oct 2008
I don't normally feel compelled to comment on any books I read, however this new book by Richard Van Emden is so good that I couldn't resist making my views known.
The book progresses year by year through the duration of the war, each chapter is full of amazing personal accounts most of which have never previously been published, through these Mr Van Emden sets out not just to tell us of the utter horror of the war, but also of the everyday experiences of the troops out of the line.
However it is not just the superb text that makes this book a must buy, the book also contains many truely excellent unpublished photos that I have never seen before. Most of these photos were taken by troops using their own cameras which was strictly against regulations, but thanks to their efforts they give us a remarkable view of their world.
This book isn't just for those who have a major interest in the war, but should be read by just about everyone in order to give us all a better understanding of what this generation suffered.
A really superb read.

utterly heartbreaking; one woman's war, 15 Jun 2008
My mother having pressed me to read this book, I finally got round to it early this year. Thank God I did.

I cannot begin to put into words how much this book touched me. Vera Brittan must be an inspiration to all women; a strong and determined character who, despite losing almost everything to the War, did not give up. Vera Brittan was a young, ambitious girl growing up pre-war with aspirations to go to University (something uncommon for the day.) She succeeded in getting into Oxford to study English. Then the War came crashing into her life, and Vera's brother and friends get called up to fight. She herself finds her place, working as a nurse first in London, then abroad. Vera Brittan lost so much to this horrific War and yet still found the strength to write about her experiences. This is no fiction, but a true, heartbreaking story of one woman's war.

A most poignant and haunting read, Vera Brittan's tragic story of love, family, duty and growing up will stay with you long after you finish the last page.


An important memoir of the Great War and its aftermath, 03 Jan 2008
In 1929 Vera Brittain ( 1893- 1970) began using her extensive diaries and correspondence to start writing her auto-biographical epic from 1913-1925, which was published in 1933. At the time Brittain was a part time lecturer for supporters of the League of Nations, a journalist, and had written two novels which had not been particularly well received. Ambitious and a feminist, Brittain seemed determined to succeed at something, and her greatest achievement has been in autobiography.

The book is well written : Brittain depicts her own life, frustrations, personal losses , near breakdown and subsequent attempts at building new life and friendships after the Great War in an endearing manner. Her humanitarianism, her social observations, the fact that she reminded the world how those people away from direct military action, (especially women and men to old to fight) suffered along with the men who were maimed, traumatised, or killed . Brittain also nurses enemy soldiers and also visited Germany after the War, and her compassion extended to the German people. The book also clearly documents how women's lives changed during this time period.

`Testament of Youth' is not great literary fiction, compared with Siegfried Sassoon' Memoirs of an Infantry Officer'. The book has its opponents, one unkind critic referred to Brittain as the `princess of self-pity'. The book is centred around her own suffering and personal losses ( of fiancé, friends, brother), though millions of other people experienced great levels of bereavement at this time. Whether she has the right to be heralded as the `voice' of a generation in this respect is open to question. Certainly Brittain's supporters will point out that the book's success was due to a large number of her contemporaries feeling at least some affinity with her suffering.

Further research has suggested that her brother Edward killed in 1918, may have taken his own life or deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire so as to avoid the disgrace of a court martial ( see `Vera Brittain A life' , Paul Berry and Mark Bostridge 1995). In `Testament of Youth' this is not disclosed to the reader, and one wonders if other amendments have been made though it also to fair say that the book's detractors have found few factual errors in the work.

Above all `Testament of Youth' has undergone a revival , after its transatlantic success in the 1930's, with a new generation of readers as from the late 1970's, because its' vision of the Great War-as a senseless carnage- is now popular. The book was re-published by Virago, the feminist publishing house, whose mission was to showcase work by women authors. It's revival coincided with a new wave of feminist anti-militarism. It is easily the most cited Great War memoir written by a woman. Moreover, the tale of a survivor such as Vera Brittain who witnesses great tragedy but by the end of the book in 1925 has found love again, has great contemporary appeal. Ultimately Vera Brittain has ensured that her perception of the Great War was known to millions of people and the names of those who close to her who perished or also suffered great loss, have been remembered,which must make it a success

The book that changed my life, 08 Feb 2007
I first read this book when I was about 15 and it had such a remarkable effect on my life that 25 years later I still return to it again and again. It encapsulates so much of the period; the desperate need to get into higher education, the horror of war and its aftermath, how to make sense of it all and finally the joy of love and of friendship. Try Chronicles of Youth as well, the diaries on which she based the book.

A classic: shattering at times, always enlightening, 23 May 2004
Vera Brittain's account was written in the early 1930s, as she tried to make sense of the extraordinary bereavement that affected those of her generation who survived the First World War.
Growing up in provincial Edwardian England, a fascinating piece of writing in itself, she falls in love with one of her brothers's friends in 1914. The romance is going well, until the outbreak of war sweeps in to disrupt her life. Suddenly the love of her life, as well as her brother and some other close friends, are all in the trenches, trying to live out the noble heroic dream on behalf of King and Country.
Unable to support directly, she joins the nursing corps as a volunteer but there is no consolation for her as first her fiance, then her friends and finally her brother die.
Her account of desolation when she receives the news each time is traumatising and shows a side of life you don't get from the war poems: the horror of war not from the front line, but from the perspective of almost continuous bereavement, among people who feel helpless and increasingly angry with the world. Her perspectives on daily life in London in the war years are as insightful as the descriptions of nursing in Malta and France, where she spent the bulk of her time. Certain details, such as the atmosphere behind the lines as the British wilt before the Ludendorff offensive, but are rallied by a missive from Field Marshall Haig will interest even those who know a lot about the history of it.
Yet it is the human story which is most powerful.
This is a brutally honest book, and she does not paint herself without warts: she is obsessive about academic study, has a mental breakdown after the war and doesn't make it easy on anyone courting her thereafter. Yet Brittain's problems outside the war, of a woman trying to combine a career with marriage, anticipate the great feminist struggles of the 20th and 21st centuries. Indeed, her honesty gives the book a raw truth.
Yet this is not just her story. As she herself writes, this is the story of a generation whose men were wiped out in battle and whose women were shattered by bereavement.
The book continues after the war following her work with the League of Nations until 1925 and this has only limited interest today: the really timeless passages come from earlier on. Profoundly affecting and profoundly insightful, in beautiful prose, this deserves its classic status.

An amazing story of love, 28 Oct 2003
I read this book for my A Levels, last year, as we were studying Worl War One Literature. Such a hefty tome looked completely imtimidating, but I decided to start anyway. I soon became completely engrossed in this book. Vera Brittains simple style is so poignant, and the heartrending events are described sensitively and with candour Vera tells of her feelings at the demands of her family, the war and her studies, culminating in the deaths of her brother, and her fiance Roland. The love between Roland and Vera is a pivotal part of this story, and to my mind is the epitome of true, optimistic, young love. The tragic event of his death and the sorrow Vera experiences throughout the war permeates the book.

This is an amazing, inspiring book and should by read by anyone who beileves that world war one has no relevance to our lives now, or anyone interested in a woman's perspective on important historical events.

Vera Brittain rules!!!! Seriously read this book, buy it now! :) The excellent poetry that preceeds each chapter is so deeply touching. Especially "Perhaps" written after Roland's death by Vera, which tells of her sadness, that she doesn't even notice the shining sun, or appreciate the beauty of nature which was so heightened previous to his death.

Really excellent book; perhaps my all time favourite, and I have read a lot of books!

Latest and best of his WW1 series, 10 Nov 2008
Richard Holmes is well known as a military historian who can not only make the details of military campaigns intelligible, but can recognise the human stories beneath. There is little in terms of campaign detail. There is not that much that is especially original, either. But these are trivial matters compared with the book's place as in my opinion one of the best annotated photo albums about WW1. Enormous knowledge is worn lightly; the choice of photos is without exception excellent, with most them having appeared rarely if at all before. The greatest strength is that Holmes teaches us (without seeming to do so) how to read photos of WW1 and probably all conflicts, drawing us into the detail of the picture with warmth and humanity. Highly recommended even at full price.

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.

Wizardry!, 14 Oct 2008
I must start by saying that 'Churchill's Wizards' is first and foremost a great read. Nicholas Rankin has managed to turn what at first sight may seem like a forbiddingly esoteric subject into a thoroughly accessible and engaging narrative full of intrigue and incident. This is in no small part down to some very accomplished writing, which throughout the book is always adding splashes of colour to the blacks and whites of historical fact. The rather wonderful picture of Gavrilo Princip at the start of the book, `a tubercular and weedy-looking youth,' consoling himself with a sandwich in Moritz Schiller's cafe after a failed attempt on the life of the Archduke and just before he was to be given a second chance by way of the infamous `wrong turn', is a case in point I think.

`Wizards' story of the secret wars of deception that were fought beneath the surface of the two World Wars is as surprising as it is fascinating. The tales of ingenuity, audacity and at times damn right eccentricity that characterised the British deceptions and ruses are each interesting in their own right and are invariably drawn with much humour and heart. But it is how these portraits fit into the bigger picture that will have the reader gripped; as `Wizards' reworks the annals of war from the perspective of deception. Giving us fresh takes on familiar campaigns and events like `Gallipoli' and `D-day' that have been all but exhausted by books and films.

I have to say that Mr Rankin does this with all the subtlety and skill of one of his 'camofluers': seamlessly integrating vast tracts of unfamiliar territory into the well-trodden historical landscapes of the first and second World Wars. But rather than hollowed-out trees and dummy tanks what one can expect to find when they examine this book is something of real substance. That is, a superbly crafted piece of scholarship that is hugely informative and very, very readable.

The Soldiers' War, 10 Nov 2008
The Soldiers' War is genuinely exceptional. There are other Great War anthologies around, but this one stands out by a country mile. The book claims to contain primarily unpublished stories from 1914-1918 and whilst I do not know enough about the period to comment, I do not recognise any accounts that I have read before. Furthermore, the breadth and exquisite balance of the tales here makes this book so very gripping.
The book contains not just the familiar stories associated with the war, but others that I have never even thought about: There is a man pulling 18th Century pewter from a dugout, another finding a Roman Sword uncovered by a shell explosion. There are stories of the survival and the beauty of nature, and of men locating trout ponds behind the Somme Battlefield for a spot of fishing.
Some of the stories are frightening and, at times, violent; many others are deeply moving and occasionally almost poetic, emotionally charged as they are. Others are genuinely funny, such as the officer who writes about two Geordie friends one of whom is shot and wounded. One man rips open the tunic of the other, looks at the wound and says `ee man, its champion'. The friend, pleased with the nice wound, replies: `Howay, Geordie, gan awa and shake hands with the German for bein' sae canny.' The incredible gallows humour of conflict.
I found the illustrations extraordinary, not least because the soldiers themselves took them, using their own private cameras, which were banned and therefore illegal. I've never seen such privately taken images elsewhere, although one slight nit-picky point here is the quality of reproduction - it's good, but given their historical importance might have been a little better. That said, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, this boo