Reitz describes that he had no hatred of the British people, but "as a South African, one had to fight for one's country." Reitz had learned to ride, shoot and swim almost as soon as he could walk, and the skills and endurance he had acquired during those years were to be made full use of during the war. He fought with different Boer Commandos, where each Commando consisted mainly of farmers on horseback, using their own horses and guns. Commando describes the tumult through the eyes of a warrior in the saddle. Reitz was fortunate to be present at nearly every one of the major battles of the war. Commando is a straightforward narrative that describes an extraordinary adventure and brings us a vivid, unforgettable picture of mobile guerrilla warfare, especially later in the war as General Smuts and men like Reitz fought on, braving heat, cold, rain, lack of food, clothing and boots, tiring horses.

    Arundel follows Steven Nason as he joins Benedict Arnold in his march to Quebec during the American Revolution.

    The only thing he fears is missing the action. Soon, however, the vaunted “war to end all wars” seems like a war that will never end: whether mired in the trenches or going over the top, Jean finds himself caught in the midst of an unimaginable, unceasing slaughter. After he is wounded, he returns from the front to discover a world where no one knows or wants to know any of this. Both the public and the authorities go on talking about heroes — and sending more men to their graves. But Jean refuses to keep silent. He will speak the forbidden word. He will tell them about fear.

    tell them that all the ideals and beliefs you ever had have crashed about your gun-deafened ears... and they will reply on pale mauve deckle-edged paper calling you a silly hysterical little girl."These are the thoughts of Helen Smith, one of "England's Splendid Daughters", an ambulance driver at the French front. Working all hours of the day and night, witness to the terrible wreckage of war, her firsthand experience contrasts sharply with her altruistic expectations. And one of her most painful realisations is that those like her parents, who preen themselves on visions of glory, have no concept of the devastation she lives with and no wish for their illusions to be shaken.

    '[A] masterpiece of reportorial thoroughness, painstaking research, and serious reflection.' Edward Said

    The Author served 1916-19 with the Black Watch of Canada. Bird’s memoir captures the most poignant side of the war, the sacrifices, the humour, the rats and the terror, so unique to the First World War. His experiences were not only physical but also ethereal. His beloved brother, Stephen, who was killed near Ypres in 1915 played a critical role in Will’s survival and “appears” to save him from death on more than one occasion. Stephen told Will in 1914 “if I don’t come back maybe I’ll find a way to come and whisper in your ear."

    John Bullock is the archetypal soldier, fighting out of blind patriotism for a cause he does not understand.

    Rejecting the opportunity to present political propaganda, Serge's portrayal of imprisonment is instead an insightful and emotionally wrought tale of repression. The depraving brutality that Serge experienced behind bars is at once a mirror of a society at war and a deeply personal question of purpose. Originally published in 1930 and translated from the French by Richard Greeman in 1977, this reprint makes a fascinating and compelling novel available again with a new introduction by Greeman that situates the work in the context of Serge's life.

    It went into three editions (the last of them in 1931), and has now been completely revised and re-arranged by Mr. Brophy. It consists of an informative and entertaining introduction; a collection of songs, ribald sentimental, satiric, made up by unknown soldiers and a fascinating glossary of soldiers slang. The authors, 1914 volunteers, were both infantryman and they started on this book while they were still close to the First World War. There is an authentic ring of first-hand experience int heir work as well as scholarship. No one who set out to compile such a book today could come anywhere near it, while at the same time the re-writing for this edition gives us the benefit of a long view as well as a sense of being there.It was astonishing to discover the extent to which attitudes have changed in the last twenty-five years about what is printable and what is not. The number of words (besides the obvious ones) for which, in the early thirties, dashes had to be substituted made some of the songs look almost as though they had been transcribed in morse code. In this edition the words have been restored, an Mr Brophy, in his Introduction has put the whole matter of soldiers' language into a modern perspective. Both the songs and (especially) the glossary are of great value to students of language , but the book appeals to a far wider audience. Imaginations have turned back to the war of 1914-18 (witness the success of Oh What A Lovely War ) .and here is the essence of its most moving aspect: the courage, gaiety and astringent cynicism with which men armed themselves against the horrors of trench warfare. (Description as appears in the 1965 editions dust jacket flaps).

    Brent-Dyer's most sought-after book. Set in a ‘Ruritanian’ kingdom and loosely connected to the Chalet School series, this full-length novel concerns the fortunes of a gifted young English girl, Jennifer Craddock, and her friends, students at the music college in the Balkan kingdom of Mirania. First published in 1930, when Elinor M. Brent-Dyer was at the height of her creative powers, and imbued with her characteristic spirit of place and lively characters, The School by the River is far more than just another boarding school story. Bettany Press is delighted to publish this new edition, with an Introduction by Helen McClelland.

    Originally Published in 2 Vol. as Iron Men & Saints and the Flame of Islam