hazelclark Posted 8 November , 2013 Share Posted 8 November , 2013 I have my great grandmothers trunk that she used when she came over from Ireland if you need something more substantial you are welcome to borrow it! I agree, some comments he makes assumes prior knowledge in these areas and yet he is so good at treating the reader like a complete novice regarding the medical side (which applies to me) that I learned an awful lot from it. I am prepared to overlook the more tedious little bits because the passage of time has meant a different readership now from those it was possibly intended for. He also illustrates very well the civilian medical issues during and after the war that, prior to reading it, I hadn't considered. I suspect there are several trunks (Late of N.Rhodesia) in the attic in Cromarty, thankyou, Marjorie! H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrier Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 I wish I had read the reviews on here before I purchased it.I have to concur with the consensus view.However it will make a raffle prize somewhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 Sue Light has given an excellent review on Amazon. Unfortunately so have several seriously less knowledgeable people. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 In some ways Keith, I think it's worth trying to look at the book from the perspective of someone who knows little or nothing about the Great War. On the plus side, I feel it has real literary quality, and as I put in the review, the author has actually written an excellent 'fictional' account. So despite the horror it evokes in those who know that factually it's not right at all, I can completely understand the good reviews. But of course such a great pity that it will lead many up entirely the wrong garden path, though when it comes to nurses and the medical services that's nothing new. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 16 November , 2013 Share Posted 16 November , 2013 The book's had a considerable monstering on the Forum, not to mention some condemnation on Twitter, but for anyone who fancies a punt, it's 99p, yes, that's only 99p, as a Kindle download. Went down as low as 49p at one stage, but now back up to £9.50 I notice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guidoaston Posted 19 November , 2013 Share Posted 19 November , 2013 What do you consider to be the best book on the subject? Hazel I have yet to find one 'best' book. It is a case of reading a number and compiling a body of evidence for an understanding. In fact the subject is so vast, that there is never going to be a best book, but some that do superbly covering certain aspects. It also depend on how deeply you want to go. Generally, though absolute amatuer, I try to find sources and draw my own conclusion. Mind you, memoirs written years later can not always be trusted. Just ask a barrister about how witnesses recall fact in court, geniunely believing what they are saying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 19 November , 2013 Share Posted 19 November , 2013 Get writing, Sue! Bernard ps will copy promised recs in the nex few days... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazelclark Posted 19 November , 2013 Share Posted 19 November , 2013 I have yet to find one 'best' book. It is a case of reading a number and compiling a body of evidence for an understanding. In fact the subject is so vast, that there is never going to be a best book, but some that do superbly covering certain aspects. It also depend on how deeply you want to go. Generally, though absolute amatuer, I try to find sources and draw my own conclusion. Mind you, memoirs written years later can not always be trusted. Just ask a barrister about how witnesses recall fact in court, geniunely believing what they are saying! I do try to read as many books as i can on any one aspect of the war, but the reason I asked the question was because I know next to nothing on this topic and wanted some advice. Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 5 March , 2014 Share Posted 5 March , 2014 If anyone is even tempted after Sue's comments, log onto Amazon and read what Peter Hart has to say. One of the main themes relates to a man he interviewed, and his comments make Sue Light's seem almost like praise. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 18 March , 2014 Admin Share Posted 18 March , 2014 Just been loaned this, not sure if I can bring myself to read it! Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgranger Posted 18 March , 2014 Share Posted 18 March , 2014 Oh, go on, then we don't have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 18 March , 2014 Share Posted 18 March , 2014 Just been loaned this, not sure if I can bring myself to read it! I'd be very interested to know what you think of it Michelle - it might be just me who has a rather jaundiced view of it. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEW Posted 18 March , 2014 Share Posted 18 March , 2014 There appears to be a new copy for £1,339.09 but they do process and dispatch fast! Amazon TEW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 18 March , 2014 Admin Share Posted 18 March , 2014 Oh, go on, then we don't have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 17 April , 2014 Admin Share Posted 17 April , 2014 I'd be very interested to know what you think of it Michelle - it might be just me who has a rather jaundiced view of it. Sue Well husband has just given it up not sure how far he got, he couldn't read any more.......... Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 29 April , 2014 Share Posted 29 April , 2014 Guess what - it has been nominated for an award. http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/apr/28/wounded-mayhew-book-review-wwi Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHope Posted 29 April , 2014 Share Posted 29 April , 2014 I was put off this book when I read on Facebook that the author has even misrepresented the contents of a memoir held at Imperial War Museum. If it had been a novel, fair enough (even Crimson Field dare I say) but not a book that purports to be a factual study. As an aside, just goes to show what national exposure you can get - even if it is the Daily Mail - if you are an eminent doctor or such like. I sent the blurb (written by Myles Dungan, an Irish historian, writer and broadcaster) of my book to a few of the National Press and didn't even get an acknowledgement let alone a review. Still, my book is only based on 61 letters, 89,000 words of a Military Chaplain's letters home Feb 1916-Aug 1917 when he was killed - nothing special from a nothing special author. Sniff! (But then it does cost a tad more than 99p.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now