Graves & Sassoon (Royal Welch Fusiliers, Somme, Ypres, Gallipoli, Arras, Amiens)

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ON THE TRAIL OF THE POETS OF THE GREAT WAR GRAVES AND SASSOON BATTLEGROUND EUROPE (HELEN McPHAIL AND PHILIP GUEST) Contents Chapter 1 The Royal Welch Fusiliers Chapter 2 Two New Officers Chapter 3 Life with the RWF Chapter 4 The Battle of the Somme Chapter 5 The Somme Continues Chapter 6 1917 Chapter 7 A Meeting of Minds Chapter 8 Back to the Western Front Chapter 9 Armistice and Aftermath Introduction by Series Editor – Nigel Cave Two figures have dominated the British literature of the Great War in the minds of the British public. Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves. Both of them were masters not only of prose but also of verse. Both were excellent self-publicists. Until the advent of television, their view of the war was the view that generations of school children were brought up with. Their ‘memoirs’ were the first two books that I read about the war, more years ago than I care to think about. Extraordinarily enough, they were members of the same regiment – the Royal Welch Fusiliers. What is even more extraordinary is the other writers who also served with them at some stage or other in the same battalion of the regiment – Frank Richards, who wrote the great ‘other rank’ classic, Old Soldiers Never Die (though some have expressed the opinion that the book was in large measure ghosted by Graves) and Bernard Adams, who wrote that beautiful book, Nothing of Importance . It seems fairly certain that the writings of Sassoon and Graves inspired Captain JC Dunn to compile another Great War classic, The War the Infantry Knew , which is an account of the 2 nd Battalion RWF, in which the two writers and Richards all served at some stage in the war. It was a reaction to the half truths, and inaccuracies that were to be found in Sassoon’s, and particularly Graves’s, books. Whatever the argument about the factual quality of the writings these two authors produced deeply moving literary work about the Great War. No-one doubts the bravery and fighting record of both of them, and their writing reflects the reaction of men of their class and situation, though neither of them could be classed in any way as ‘ordinary’. Helen McPhail and Philip Guest have produced a fascinating account of the military service of these men in the context of what may be seen today on the battlefields. When combined with visits to the deeply evocative cemeteries and the extant remnants of the battlefields, it provides another insight into two men who have been responsible for introducing the war to numerous readers and who have set the basis for many people’s approach to that terrible conflict. This 2001 paperback edition book is in MINT new condition obtained direct from the supplier and is an opportunity to purchase this book at well below the £9.95 recommended selling price. The book runs to 192 pages (21.5cm x 13.5cm) includes a working index and is well illustrated throughout the text. Check out my other items ! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAGE I will post Worldwide unless the item is indicated otherwise. This varies depending on item and postal location so please contact me for details. International bidders, overseas postage may be higher than you think, especially for heavy and/or bulky items. If in doubt please request postage costs. Discounted postage is available for multiple purchases and I will amend your final invoice accordingly so please wait for the invoice before paying. Whilst payment is normally expected within 14 days of the end of the auction regular buyers may, either by invitation or prior agreement, hold the invoice for a further 14 days to enable further bids to be completed in order to minimise postal costs. Overseas buyers please note that payment is either by Paypal or in cheques or money orders in UK currency... read more

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