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Amazon.co.uk Review
In A Foreign Field Ben MacIntyre has found another story from history's margins In two previous books, Forgotten Fatherland and The Napoleon of Crime, he focused on characters from the footnotes of history, creating compelling narratives from the stories of Nietzsche's sister and of a Victorian master criminal, brought it centre stage and constructed a very powerful drama of love, war and death around it. Robert Digby was a well-educated, middle-class private in the British Expeditionary Force at the beginning of World War I. In the very first month of the war, as the British, French and German armies surged back and forth across tracts of northern France, he became isolated behind enemy lines. When the fluid front lines of the war's first phase rapidly hardened into the murderous stalemate of the trenches, Digby and other British soldiers were permanently trapped in German-occupied territory. Seven, including Digby, took refuge in the small village of Villeret and were given shelter and assistance by the villagers. Under the noses of the German occupiers, they lived in Villeret for 18 months, masquerading as villagers. Relationships between the French peasants and the British soldiers grew strong. Digby fell in love with Claire Dessenne, the 19-year-old daughter of one of his protectors. In November 1915 Claire gave birth to Digby's daughter. Six months later someone in the village betrayed the men to the Germans. Digby and three others were captured, tried as spies and executed by firing squad. Digby's daughter, now in her 80s, still lives in northern France. Using her memories and those of other villagers, archive material and a handful of surviving letters by Digby (including one written to Claire only hours before his execution), Macintyre has produced a real-life story of the First World War as poignant and moving as Sebastian Faulks's novel Birdsong. --Nick Rennison
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘A simple and touching tale of self-sacrificing courage and love in war … turns into a page-turning mystery and a spy story worthy of Deighton or le Carre. I loved it’ The Times
‘I loved “A Foreign Field”, the true story of an English soldier stranded behind enemy lines … at once a great romance, a war story, a social history and a whodunit’ Sunday Telegraph
‘At the simplest level this is a love story. Stirring, ambitious and profound, this is storytelling at its very best’ Sunday Times
‘The true story of seven British soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, with brilliant research, [Macintyre has] built a powerful picture of what life was like for the Picardy villagers who protected them. I was fascinated’ Evening Standard
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must admit that I much prefer first world war 'fiction' (as in 'Birdsong' or the 'Regeneration Trilogy') to factual events and when I bought this book I made the mistake in thinking that's what I was getting.However,I was very pleasantly surprised.
The story of the 'four Englishmen of Villeret' and their untimely betrayal(by whom?) makes gripping reading.I found myself concerned for the soldiers and villagers and the circumstances in which they found themselves and although I was aware of the fate that befell them, the ending was not ruined. This due to Ben MacIntyre's painstaking research and interviews with the descendents of all involved in 1916. He puts forward theories of the locals as well as his own, but ultimately the reader is left to make their own assumptions as to 'whodunnit?'
The story of the 'four Englishmen of Villeret' and their untimely betrayal(by whom?) makes gripping reading.I found myself concerned for the soldiers and villagers and the circumstances in which they found themselves and although I was aware of the fate that befell them, the ending was not ruined. This due to Ben MacIntyre's painstaking research and interviews with the descendents of all involved in 1916. He puts forward theories of the locals as well as his own, but ultimately the reader is left to make their own assumptions as to 'whodunnit?'
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having greatly enjoyed Mr Macintyre's previous book on a master thief called Adam Worth I naturally took note when I saw this book on display in my local bookshop. Having read the preface I was in two minds since it said the book was about the First World War and I am not by nature inclined to read books on military affairs although I have read and enjoyed several novels set in wartime settings. I so enjoyed the book on Adam Worth I took a chance and bought the book and am very glad I did. Mr Macintyre makes many interesting and challenging points about the beast of war and its impact upon people and I was forced to think about issues which otherwise I might have not thought of. This is novel writing of a very good calibre since it uses the novel to make the reader think. Happily the author also finds room amidst all the important theories for a superb whodunnit. This kept me guessing until the final page. I am not going to give away the game here and spoil it for others but I recommend this to all lovers of crime books as well as those persons fascinated by war itself.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A superbly well-researched book tracing the remarkable and moving story of a group of British soldiers caught in occupied France in the First World War.
This is a story of love, bravery, betrayal and tragedy elegantly told by a seasoned Times journalist. Of course, the tale itself is compelling, but the real value of this extraordinary book is the detailed picture it provides of how war changes people, destroys entire cultures, depriving communities of their past, their present and their futures.
A Foreign Field's focus on one village, one community gives the reader an opporunity to chart the wider human destructiveness of war.
MacIntyre's brings all the characters to life and tells the story with the skill of an accomplished novelist.
This is a story of love, bravery, betrayal and tragedy elegantly told by a seasoned Times journalist. Of course, the tale itself is compelling, but the real value of this extraordinary book is the detailed picture it provides of how war changes people, destroys entire cultures, depriving communities of their past, their present and their futures.
A Foreign Field's focus on one village, one community gives the reader an opporunity to chart the wider human destructiveness of war.
MacIntyre's brings all the characters to life and tells the story with the skill of an accomplished novelist.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Foreign Field
As expected from the author a well researched and well written book that to me captured a part of the war that isn't always written or made into film. Read more
Published 17 days ago by New to books
A Foreign Field.
I purchased this book to learn more of the tragic tale of British soldiers trapped behind German lines in WW1. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Poppy
A Foreign Field
Very interesting book, couldn't put it down. Making a true life story read like a novel, it was quite touching.
Published 16 months ago by grace
A Familar Field
The First World War will soon be a 100 years ago. And yet in this book MacIntyre throws you right into the mix to experience the real people, the real places, the real problems and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Filthy Raider
A Foriegn Field
Interesting and informative
I've read 2 of his other books and they were good too -
I've read 2 of his other books and they were good too -
Published 20 months ago by Mr. R. K. Salliss
An Untold Story
I came to this book, as a story about the First World War I'd never heard about. Ben MacIntyre's book gives a vivid account of the fate of four soldiers left behind enemy lines at... Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Robert Mckenzie
A War made real
I bought this book for the 2nd time and received it yesterday. Around midnight last night, it was finished. Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by Spartan
Villaret - Vive le France ...
This book seems to have received mixed reviews and I would agree that it fares better in parts than others. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2007 by Mrs Pickers
moving and timely
some people dismiss this as a glib, poorly written romance. they are mistaken. agreed the writing is shoddy and clumsy, at times childishly pretentious. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2003
Real life love story
This is not only a fascinating account of a real life love story with a tragic ending, but also an interesting insight into the lives of the inhabitants of Villeret and surrounding... Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2002
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