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Product Description
Product Description
The story of soldiers of the Fifth Battalion, the Wessex Regiment, in the run up to and aftermath of D-Day. Although fictional, it comes directly out of the author's own experience and is regarded as one of the most accurate and unsentimental portrayals of the ordinary soldier's life anywhere in fiction. First published in 1948, there have been enthusiastic endorsements from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, confirming Baron's uncanny knack of capturing the soldier's experience.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This new version of Alexander Baron's wonderful novel is long overdue. Most importantly, it includes a fascinating introduction that reveals much background on Baron that I (a long time fan) was never aware of. In addition, it includes historical research by the respected historian Sean Longden. In this Longden (who previously used Baron's private letters and unpublished memoirs in his book 'To the Victor the Spoils') reveals the truth behind the book and uncovers the identity of the real-life officer upon whom Baron based the novel's Colonel Pothecary. This adds a previously unseen dimension that will intrigue those who have read earlier editions of the book.
To those who are new to Baron, many readers consider this to be the most authentic novel of life in the British army in the latter stages of WW2. It avoids heroism or overbearing sentimentality to give a wonderful insight on the British character in wartime.
I am amazed there has never been a film of this book!
To those who are new to Baron, many readers consider this to be the most authentic novel of life in the British army in the latter stages of WW2. It avoids heroism or overbearing sentimentality to give a wonderful insight on the British character in wartime.
I am amazed there has never been a film of this book!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A quite exceptional novel of the 'poor bloody infantry's experience of D-Day, the marking of time in the run up to the invasion, and the fighting that followed. Exceptional above all because of its humanity. Sean Longden provides an excellent introduction and postscript. This was Baron's first novel - he probably regarded it as his best.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just read a first edition copy of this book that I came upon completely by chance and I literally read it from cover to cover with almost no breaks! It is the most believable and unsentimental account of the life and experiences of ordinary British soldiers in WW2 that I have ever read. Considering some of the gritty truths portrayed in the novel - gratuitous attitudes to obtaining sexual relief, random acts of violence towards fellow soldiers, to the summary murder of an officer in the field, it's hard to believe that the novel was first published in an austere and conservative era when the war was already starting to be painted as a 'war for heroes' in popular culture. There are few heroes in this book. Just a lot of ordinary blokes trying to stay alive and stay sane, having been conscripted out of their ordinary lives and into the insanity and cruelty of war. A well-crafted and thought-provoking novel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well written. Good account.
An easy read which gives 2 thirds of ts time to the preparation for d-day landings and then juxtaposes it against the harshness of the fighting in Normandy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sean Higgins
old sweats
This is a superb book,full of old fashioned values perhaps,some may think a bit naive, but everthing that we hold dear about comradship. Read more
Published 1 month ago by dcpearce
A great read
What a find! I first heard about this book on BBC Radio 4 and thought I would give it a read. I was not disappointed, this book is a little gem. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. D. G. Phillips
Highly recommended
Written not long after the war, when memories were still fresh, and based on his own experiences, Alexander Baron produced what is, for me, the definitive novel of life in a line... Read more
Published 12 months ago by P. Granger
Sad reality
The ring of truth sounds through this book.
No heroics, lies or propaganda,just the stark reality of the sacrifice of the brave but callow youth of our country. Read more
No heroics, lies or propaganda,just the stark reality of the sacrifice of the brave but callow youth of our country. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hummer
Under ground working class jewish london life
This writer was reported on reently in the new statesman as falling undeservedly into obscurity.
I can now confirm this. Read more
I can now confirm this. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Nicholas Georgiou
From the city, from the plough.
Read the book when a young man 50 years ago and felt the urge to read it again.Brilliantly written novel based on the personal experiences and research of the Author on the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by ALEX
splendid
I could NOT put this book down. A bit like "Band of Brothers" or "Saving Private Ryan" except they are all BRITISH soldiers and it was written straight after ww2 ended. Read more
Published 21 months ago by moriarty
Satisfied Customer
Nothing much to report about a delivery of a book, except to say that the delivery was on time, and book in good, second hand condition
Published 22 months ago by F. A. Tilbury
Attitude changing
I read this book in my early teens, and it totally changed my view about warfare. Before, I was consumed with the adventure and excitement of war. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2008 by AJ
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