The greatest influence on my interest in the theme of war is, of course, my father. Only later, when I became involved with the FEPOW groups, I heard the real stories of what happened to them as individuals, as well as the poor treatment of families back home in Britain. My book is based on their stories. However, this interest also spread to other areas as I read about the history of war while studying literature and, later, the work of various official War Artists. In all of it, the despair and hopelessness comes through, definitely not any sense of the ‘glory’.
I wrote
Before Hiroshima: A history of the fall of Hong Kong and Singapore and the aftermath during World War II
I loved this when I first read it many years ago during my studies of Ancient Greek Art & Literature: all the familiar names and places, such as Helen of Troy. The best element for me was this early translation in 1948, with a fascinating use of the English language by an expert professor from an old Public School.
His language is ironic and amusing in places, but he also despairs at the futility of it all. You will recognize this futility continuing to the present day when he describes how hostilities began and different ‘tribes’ on the same side killing each other in the confusion of battle. Nothing changes then.
'With icy remorselessness, it puts paid to any notion that the horrors of modern history might be an aberration - for it tells of universal war, of terrorism, revolution and genocide' Tom Holland
The long life-and-death struggle between Athens and Sparta plunged the ancient Greek world into decades of war. Thucydides was an Athenian and achieved the rank of general in the earlier stages of the war, and in this detailed, first-hand contemporary account he writes as both a soldier and a historian. He applies a passion for accuracy and a contempt for myth and romance in compiling a factual…
As part of my English Literature studies, I was instantly taken by the desperation and reality of life for these very young men fighting in the trenches during WWI.
Even if poetry is not your preferred style, for anyone interested in military history, Owen’s poems describe the stark fear and appalling conditions for the soldiers and the clear incompetence of those in charge.
They are hauntingly vivid in his descriptions of their existence and, of course, the inhumanity of war. It is particularly sad that he died as hostilities ended.
'Orpheus, the pagan saint of poets, went through hell and came back singing. In twentieth-century mythology, the singer wears a steel helmet and makes his descent "down some profound dull tunnel" in the stinking mud of the Western Front. For most readers of English poetry, the face under that helmet is that of Wilfred Owen.' Professor Jon Stallworthy, from his Introduction.
When Wilfred Owen was killed in the days before the Armistice in 1918, he left behind a shattering, truthful and indelible record of a soldier's experience of the First World War. His greatest war poetry has been collected, edited…
I recently reviewed this book for the nonfiction Author’s Association award. Presenting a different perspective on WWII in Europe, this is a factual story about the author’s father, Sam Hogan, as commander of a tank Task Force during the final stages of the war in Europe.
It is an interesting mix of details about the tactics and strategy of US tanks moving across France and Belgium to drive back the German front. It includes sobering reflections on the stifling conditions within the tanks, their vulnerability against a stronger, better-protected tank force, and the loss/ injuries of comrades as they continued to push forward against the odds.
A fourth-generation soldier tells the story of his father's tank battalion, the "Spearhead," that selflessly led the charge on the front lines from Normandy into Germany-against impossible odds, technologically superior weaponry, and a fanatical enemy on its home turf-and the heroes whose sacrifice won World War II.
At twenty-eight, Sam Hogan is one of the youngest lieutenant colonels in the US Army. The West Point graduate from Texas stands in the commander's hatch of his Sherman tank, behind him a steel wedge of seventeen other Shermans of his tank battalion. Two weeks after the now-infamous D-Day landings, Sam is preparing…
I worked closely with David to edit the book for publication. It presents a different view of ‘Operation Safe Haven’ in Iraq during the first Gulf War. Intended to help protect Iraqi Kurds from being targeted by Saddam Hussain, it involved both military and volunteer personnel of different nationalities.
It was written by one of the British volunteer engineers and, therefore, gives a different picture of how successful the project was. Much of the writing about Operation Safe Haven suggests it was a military success but neglects to mention the crucial role played by civilians who were seen by the Kurds as less of a threat than any military personnel.
They were able to get closer to individuals in the Kurdish community, so they played an invaluable role in keeping them safe. As with the other recommended books, it is good to see a different perspective on the reality of war.
I am sure many will remember seeing the news footage on TV showing the little boy standing next to Saddam Hussain during the first Gulf War. He was, of course, not there by choice, as he was actually one of the hostages being held at the time. It was an interesting propaganda exercise, especially as Saddam tried to encourage Stuart to get closer but he was clearly not having it! From a PR perspective, it was unsuccessful and was not accepted as a positive image by those in the West.
This book is written by his mother and describes just how traumatic the experience was for all the family as well as all the other families held hostage at the time. As the final book in my selection, it completes the theme of the futility of war and its impact on the individuals closest to the action.
On 23 August 1990, the world was outraged when five-year-old Stuart Lockwood was used in a publicity stunt by Saddam Hussein. This work is based on his mother's diary of their imprisonment in Baghdad during the Gulf War, and their treatment during Iraq's human shield policy.
Self-published, it has now been revised and published by Chiselbury Publishing. My father was a Prisoner of War in Japan (Far East Prisoner of War- FEPOW) between the ages of 18-21 years, surviving by virtue of his determination and sense of humor.
The British government told FEPOWs and women internees not to tell anyone about their experiences when they came home and specifically not to meet in groups to talk about them. They ignored this, of course, and many FEPOW groups were established! My father acted as a Welfare officer for the Midlands FEPOW group, and I was their secretary for over 25 years. This book is based on their stories and those of wives and families waiting for their return home.
After Dr. Shawn Jennings, a busy family physician, suffered a brainstem stroke on May 13, 1999, he woke from a coma locked inside his body, aware and alert but unable to communicate or move. Once he regained limited movement in his left arm, he began typing his story, using one hand and a lot of patience.
With unexpected humour and tender honesty, Shawn shares his experiences in his struggle for recovery and acceptance of his life after the stroke. He affirms that even without achieving a full recovery life is still worth…
Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke
After Dr. Shawn Jennings, a busy family physician, suffered a brainstem stroke on May 13, 1999, he woke from a coma locked inside his body, aware and alert but unable to communicate or move. Once he regained limited movement in his left arm, he began typing his story, using one hand and a lot of patience.
With unexpected humour and tender honesty, Shawn shares his experiences in his struggle for recovery and acceptance of his life after the stroke. He affirms that even without achieving a full recovery life is still worth…
