Harry's War

by N/A

• Used

  Hardcover
  2008

  $4.30

  This touching, brutally honest diary of a First World War soldier makes a fascinating contribution to our understanding of what life was like for the British Tommy. It combines frank, unadorned prose with the author's own evocative paintings to form a unique historical document, admirable for its unromantic, matter-of-fact outlook in coping dutifully with horrific conditions. Harry was a member of a bombing platoon - known amongst soldiers as the suicide club , because of the extreme danger involved. His job was to attack enemy trenches at close range with grenades and other, often improvised explosives. Despite serving in such a hazardous role, he survived two years in the trenches, fighting in a number of major battles (at Arras, Albert and Ypres) before being wounded in 1917. Eighty-five years since he compiled his memoirs, we can relive his war - despite the fact that he never intended his words and pictures to be published. Upon returning to civilian life, he recorded his wartime experiences in a humble black notebook, but never revealed its existence to anyone. Now, finally, we can share those experiences through Harry's engaging words and simple paintings - a truly personal piece of history that makes for richly rewarding reading.