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"His depiction of frightened, desperate men grappling for hope is touching and thought-provokling" (BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH )
'Robert Kee went on to have a distinguished career as a writer and in television, but this marvellous memoir may well be his finest acheivement.' (OLDIE )
'Robert Kee went on to have a distinguished career as a writer and in television, but this marvellous memoir may well be his finest acheivement.' (OLDIE )
Product Description
Journalist and broadcaster Robert Kee was an RAF bomber pilot in the Second World War. His plane was shot down over Nazi-occupied Holland, he was captured and spent three years and three months in a German POW camp. From the beginning he was intent on escape. After several false starts he finally made it. First published in 1947 as a novel, but now revealed to be an autobiography, A CROWD IS NOT COMPANY recounts Kee's experiences as a prisoner of war and describes in compelling detail his desperate journey across Poland - a journey that meant running the gauntlet of Nazism.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As the reviewer whose comment in "The Times" still appears on each new edition of Robert Kee's POW memoir, I shall simply say that no POW book that has appeared since has changed my opinion that this is the most vivid, intelligent and moving evocation of the grim half-life of prisoners of war in WWII. Appearing in 1947, before the subject became popular, it was out of print for decades before being re-issued at the end of the 1980s, and is now recognised as a minor post-war masterpiece. Do read it: as well as being brilliantly written, it is challenging and thought-provoking and at times hilarious.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I stumbled across this book, not having heard of it before, although I was aware of the author's later career as a journalist and historian. The most remarkable aspect of the story of Kee's time as a POW is the insight offered into ordinary German soldiers and civilians. With some exceptions, these come across as decent, even courteous, in their dealings with the author. This is particularly evident towards the end of the book when Kee and his comrades receive much-needed food from German citizens on their long march from one camp to another.
Through his wonderfully-observed and straightforward descriptions of what happened to him and his depictions of the people he encountered, Kee humanises the terrible conflict. He also subverts popular notions of all Germans living in Hitler's Reich as "evil Nazis".
My only criticism of A Crowd is not Company is its abrupt and inconclusive ending. However, as it was published originally as a novel, I'm sure this made sense at the time.
That said, this book is comparable to The Diary of Anne Frank in that, although it is just one person's account of terrible trials during WW2, it transcends the personal memoir genre. In fact, Kee teaches us something important about human behaviour under extraordinary circumstances and reveals the capacity for goodness that lies within us all.
Through his wonderfully-observed and straightforward descriptions of what happened to him and his depictions of the people he encountered, Kee humanises the terrible conflict. He also subverts popular notions of all Germans living in Hitler's Reich as "evil Nazis".
My only criticism of A Crowd is not Company is its abrupt and inconclusive ending. However, as it was published originally as a novel, I'm sure this made sense at the time.
That said, this book is comparable to The Diary of Anne Frank in that, although it is just one person's account of terrible trials during WW2, it transcends the personal memoir genre. In fact, Kee teaches us something important about human behaviour under extraordinary circumstances and reveals the capacity for goodness that lies within us all.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A Crowd is Not Company was first published in 1947 as a novel. It does not read like a novel and the author himself admits in the book's preface that his work is almost entirely based on his own personal experiences as a prisoner of war in a German POW camp. However, this book would have surely benefited had it been written more like a true novel, instead of giving up most of its secrets early on. Despite the book's confused identity, it is still a hugely enjoyable read. The chapters that deal with his attempts to escape are gripping and at times even hilariously funny. An epilogue would have been nice too for a book that is nearly a classic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
parts are good
This book is an oddity. The description of being shot down, Robert Kee's understanding of the German's attitude towards the war and his observations are superb - probably the best... Read more
Published 3 months ago by fergus
A boring existance, boringly told
I'm afraid that, given the 'Times' blurb on the front cover; 'Arguably the best POW book ever written'; I have to disagree. Read more
Published 10 months ago by HuddyBolly
Excellent value
What a cheap buy - a brand new book that kept me occupied for hours - what else provides such good value these days?
Published 14 months ago by Maz
Great story but a real let down at the end
I enjoyed this book very much. The description of life in the camp and the refreshingly honest view of the German guards make this an exceptional read that gives you the feeling... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ginger
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