First published privately in 1929 as The Middle Parts of Fortune, Her Privates We is the novel of the Battle of the Somme told from the perspective of an ordinary private. This edition now restores all the 'prunings and excisions' that were made to the first edition because the bluntness of language was thought to make the book unfit for public distribution. An undisputed classic of war writing and a lasting tribute to all who participated in the war, Her Privates We was originally published as written by 'Private 19022'. Championed by amongst others Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, TS Eliot and TE Lawrence, it has become recognised as a classic in the seventy years since its first publication. Now republished, with an introduction by William Boyd, it will again amaze a new generation of readers.
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The finest and noblest book of men in war. --Ernest Hemingway
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
The soldiers swear and curse vilely, show not an iota of military zeal or patriotic fervour and spend their time behind the lines scrounging food and trying to get drunk. The book has the unmistakable reek of total authenticity --William Boyd
Book Description
A new edition of a classic First World War novel, a brilliant and bitter picture of human conflict.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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THE darkness was increasing rapidly, as the whole sky had clouded, and threatened thunder. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
THE darkness was increasing rapidly, as the whole sky had clouded, and threatened thunder. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I first read this book when it was published as 'Middles Parts of Fortune', one of the few unexpurgated versions to appear with Manning named as author.
This novel fictionalises Manning's own war experiences. Although highly literate, he served throughout as a private. The book thus offers us a very rare insight into the Great War through the eyes of one of the otherwise silent but multitudinous 'other ranks'. Other contemporary accounts of the war were written by junior officers, but their experiences would have necessarily been very different from those of their men. Indeed, part of Manning's gift is that he offers us a view of these officers as seen by those who served under them.
What makes Manning's book so very memorable is that he deals with companionship rather than battles. The book starts with the protagonists coming back down the line from battle, and ends with them going back over the top. In between, he recreates the comradeship experienced by a group of men who were having to survive in a surreal world where the reason for their being there was beyond their comprehension.
In my view, this is the best book to have come out of the Great War. Now it's back in print, there is no excuse for anyone not to read it!
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Well. I wanted to know what it was like in the trenches that my grandfathers, as ordinary rank and file, fought. And so, this is it. Boredom, comradeship, bad language, and occasional harsh brutality. If you want to know what they experienced, then I'm pretty sure this is the book. Indeed, I can truly say that whilst reading this I felt physically sick at times, because it was so graphic and well told.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Probably the best novel to come out of WWI, Manning includes some well thought out analysis of the effects of a battle situation on men and on groups of men.
Besides his asides on the inevitiblity but also the futiltiy of war; we are treated to a very touching story of companionship under times of great stress. Much of the action takes place behind the lines in the bars and restaurants of the Somme region. Bourne, knows he is different and better educated etc. and is comfortable with officer and soldier class alike. He is soon pressured into going for a comission and although not overly keen, he sees that it is inevitable. He decides to go over the top one more time before being sent back for officer training.
A thoroughly good read, I can honestly reccomend it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Ray The Grey
Format:Paperback
An excellent book, very insightful and feeling true to life and surprisingly modern. It probably does more than any other book to convey the comradeship, boredom, vices, unease and terror of war. There is also a dark humour running through it - stories away from the front and regarding the work and systems the army operated at the time. The officer class is seen from a private's eyes - and it seems quite fair.
Fate, superstition and traditions play their part, but fatalism overrides everything.
Armies make war, people die and this book brings them to life brilliantly
Fate, superstition and traditions play their part, but fatalism overrides everything.
Armies make war, people die and this book brings them to life brilliantly
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Bookworm
Format:Paperback
Yes it is a novel, as is 'All quiet on the western front', but it gives a great sense of what it was like for the ordinary soldiers. Most WWI memoirs were written by officers, and that gives them a very different point of view. The overall feel is very similar to 'All quiet..', but I find this a better read and I am surprised that it is not more famous than 'All quiet...'.
This book was quoted by a number of Great War veterans as being the best description of what it was like. In contrast, numbers of British veterans openly expressed doubts that Remarque was ever at the front -Wikipedia will give you some clues.
This is an essential read for anybody interested in WWI.
This book was quoted by a number of Great War veterans as being the best description of what it was like. In contrast, numbers of British veterans openly expressed doubts that Remarque was ever at the front -Wikipedia will give you some clues.
This is an essential read for anybody interested in WWI.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have only read this book in it's censored version, and it is still one of the best books written about the the Great War. It is moving and uncompromising and gives a fascinating insight into life as a private in the trenches. Now it is back in print, definitely buy it. Up until recently it has been very difficult to get hold of. While you're at it, buy 'All Quiet on The Western Front' as an interesting view from the other side.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Originally published in a censored version, thanks to the realistic level of swearing in the soldiers' dialogue, 'Her Privates We' offers a unique insight into the life of a British infantryman in the trenches in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of the Somme. The author was an educated misfit who served alongside ordinary working class men; this gave him both the ability and the motivation to record in honest detail his first-hand experiences: the combination of the day-to-day struggle to survive with some degree of dignity and comfort behind the lines, mixing boredom and army routine with brief moments of pleasure in the cafes of the French towns and villages, followed by their fatalistic preparation for another 'over-the-top' assault on the German lines, with the memory of the recent carnage of the Somme still fresh in their minds. A little-read masterpiece that stands comparison with 'All Quiet on the Western Front'.
By D. Spencer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An odd, but interesting book. There were superfluous pieces that I skipped entirely, but ultimately this is a fascinating look into the infantry experience of WW1.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor
I bought this book based upon the all 5 star ratings, what a let down and disappointment, if you like four letter words etc, and no particular story line then this is for you, but... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dolgoch
4.0 out of 5 stars
LOCKWOOD
I ENJOYED THE BOOK BUT IT WAS ACCLAIMED BY THE CRITICS AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS THE BEST BOOK TO COME OUT OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR BUT IT DID NOT CONVINCE ME ON THAT SCORE. Read more
Published 6 months ago by mikestarford
5.0 out of 5 stars
A novel so close to reality
I came across Her Privates We by Frederic Manning when I was doing some research in my family tree. The reviews I read were that it gave a realistic view of a soldiers life in... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. J. R. Orves
5.0 out of 5 stars
an enthralling and moving read
I have just finished reading my grandfather's copy of the book. It was published in January 1930 and there were 4 print runs that month so it must have made an immediate impact... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Katie Wightman
5.0 out of 5 stars
All peace is happy (in a very relative sense)...
... each war is unhappy (by contrast) in its own way. With apologies for roughly paraphrasing, and utilizing Tolstoy's first sentence in Anna Karenina (Penguin Classics). Read more
Published 15 months ago by John P. Jones III
5.0 out of 5 stars
Her Privates We
Easy to see why this novel has become an A level choice. A brutally honest account of the First World War told from the viewpoint of the ordinary soldier. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Stuart Miller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ultimately fascinating
Initially, this book did not engage me, either intellectually or emotionally. The first 132 pages simply conveyed the monotony of war - The Great War - "the war to end all wars";... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ian Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars
"what a book"
i'm very glad i bought this one. certainly lives up to its reputation.
staggering truth pours from every page - very little of the usual "stench of death" WW1 writing - this... Read more
staggering truth pours from every page - very little of the usual "stench of death" WW1 writing - this... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2011 by Mr. Anthony J. Hume
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