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Her Privates We
 
 
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Her Privates We (Paperback)

by Frederic Manning (Author) "THE darkness was increasing rapidly, as the whole sky had clouded, and threatened thunder ..." (more)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Serpent's Tail; New Ed edition (11 Nov 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1852427175
  • ISBN-13: 978-1852427177
  • Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 7,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #1 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > M > Manning, Frederic
    #5 in  Books > Fiction > Genre > War > First World War
    #5 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > B > Boyd, William

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Product Description

Product Description
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.

From the Publisher
The class novel of the first world war
First published in 1929, Her Privates We is an extraordianry novel of World War 1. When it first came out, the novel was censored and its language which was considered too crude was cleaned up and the swear words removed - the privates could die but not swear! This edition marks the first time the book has been published in its original version. The informative introduction by William Boyd narrates the history of the book and its author - an Australian who fought as a private in the War. The book is a powerful indictment of the callous attitudes of the officer class - it is as essential reading today as when it was first published. Ernest Hemingway wrote of Her Privates We 'the finest and noblest book of men in war'.

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THE darkness was increasing rapidly, as the whole sky had clouded, and threatened thunder. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves to be back in print!, 20 April 2001
By A Customer
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!

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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, 22 April 2002
By A Customer
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.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An engaging story of companionship during the great war., 15 Dec 1999
By A Customer
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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential
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. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. N. Gibson

5.0 out of 5 stars Her Privates We
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. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. D. L. Murphy

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Insight Into A Private's WWI
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... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2007 by Ray The Grey

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