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The Secret Battle Paperback – May 7, 2019

by A P Herbert (Author), Austin Riede (Editor)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 141 ratings
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"The Secret Battle should be read in each generation, so that men and women may rest under no illusion about what war means, a soldier's tale cut in stone to melt all hearts."

--Sir Winston Churchill

Originally published in 1919, The Secret Battle honestly portrays the mental horrors World War I inflicted upon soldiers. Harry Penrose is an Oxford student who enlists in 1914. He's hard working, modest, and dutiful but struggles to cope with the toll of war. During the Battle of Gallipoli, Penrose seeks refuge to avoid shellfire, but another officer sees him and accuses Penrose of desertion. Court martialed and branded a coward, Penrose is betrayed by the very system for which he fought.

Though not autobiographical, Penrose and the narrator follow experiences of author A. P. Herbert, who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign. Penrose's trial is likely based on that of Sub-Lieutenant Edwin Dyett, an officer who was court martialed and executed for desertion in 1916. Considered a literary masterpiece, The Secret Battle is an early example of war literature, showcasing the importance of a soldier's mind as well as his body, and deserves "a permanent place in war literature" (Winston Churchill, from the 1988 Oxford University Press edition).

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    162 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of North Georgia
  4. Publication date
    May 7, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1940771382
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1940771380
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Secret Battle should be read in each generation, so that men and women may rest under no illusion about what war means, a soldier's tale cut in stone to melt all hearts."

--Sir Winston Churchill

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of North Georgia (May 7, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940771382
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940771380
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 141 ratings

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  1. Sir A. P. Herbert

    Sir A. P. Herbert

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
141 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Johnathon K
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping, Emotional Tale
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is one of the proverbial "must reads," especially for those who have served in combat and their loved ones. I am a combat vet, and while I saw nothing near to what the soldiers in the trenches in WWI experienced, I did see how killing and having friends killed affected some people. I am thankful that medical science now recognizes PTSD and can treat those suffering from it.

This story follows two men into combat at Gallipoli and France. One is the (semi) impartial observer, the other an idealist, a brave officer who leads his men with skill and professionalism. As the war progresses, the idealist begins to question his abilities, all the time pushing himself harder to do his duty.

There is combat in the book, but this is not a shoot-em-up. There are no set battles with hand-to-hand combat. Rather, the violence tends to be from the sky, random shellings and bursts of fire while the soldiers hug the trenches or are out on working parties. One minute, a group of soldiers is digging a communications trench, the next, they are blown apart by a Turkish shell.

The raison d'etre of the book, however, is not the fighting itself, but the transformation of Harry Penrose, the idealist who only wants to be a success on the battlefield. It is emotionally gripping, like being on an out-of-control train hurtling to the washed-out bridge. You can see what is coming, you are struggling to avoid it, but there is nothing you can do about it.

Once again, I never experienced anything close to that the soldiers in WWI faced, but to me, this is one of the best books I have read that give a feeling for the emotions that exist in combat. I highly, highly recommend it.
6 people found this helpful
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mrblood13
4.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2014
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Great book sad subject Well written vert vivid and descriptive. Would recommend it to military or civilian readers who crave solid non fiction
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s wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars Wrenching conclusion
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2023
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Not as good as All Quiet on the Western Front but so insightful and well written. Pay attention to the characters to get the full impact on the author's message. Apparently the author's future work was comedic and I may read some just to see how his life changed so much that he never wrote dark again.
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noone
3.0 out of 5 stars Very good insights into the Dardanelles campaign
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2015
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Very good insights into the Dardanelles campaign, but light on when it comes to criticism of the whole stupid exercise. Ending contrived.
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jmk444
5.0 out of 5 stars The unvarnished brutality of "the war to end all war"
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2014
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This is a gem, written by a World War I veteran, it chronicles the day to day travails (the rampant dysentery, the swarms of flies and the swirling sands that covered everything and made sleep nearly impossible) that made the Gallipoli campaign such a torture. There is no sugar-coating of the horrors of war here, nor any false bravado. It's merely an eyewitness account that gives an unvarnished look at the abject brutality and dehumanization of war. It's just too bad these lessons weren't taken to heart after 1918....nearly a century later, we haven't learned from it yet.
2 people found this helpful
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Themistocles119
5.0 out of 5 stars The secret battle is amazing read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2019
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For most people the WWI jargon may be turn off. Most is common sense. Plus as an U.S.A citizen some words just a little different. That said well worth the read. Must for WWI history majors.
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alvin m. jewell
4.0 out of 5 stars Death
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2013
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This book really gave a good example of how a soldier thinks and does some of the things he does while in a war zone. His mind works in some really weird ways he will remember these experiences the rest of his days and probably never tell them to anyone just keeping it to himself. The story is really detailing this man and his thoughts.
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clementine
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2020
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I bought this after reading the remarks up by the book's picture. They say it all and I certainly can't add anything.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Yashi Sinha
4.0 out of 5 stars A World War story with a difference.
Reviewed in India on February 5, 2021
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The ugliness of war where all your enemies are not necessarily on the other side: that is what this book details. It was written more than a hundred years ago and therefore follows the leisurely pace of yore. But it is brilliant in unravelling the construct of a horrible act of injustice carried out in the course of warfare where often cowards and charlatans decide the fate of the virtuous and brave.
One person found this helpful
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Scrappydodah
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read about the sadness of war
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2020
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Very well written to the embarrassment of many modern authors. The story line is very poignant, thought provoking and sadly leads you to the inevitable ending.
One person found this helpful
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gary g
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2015
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This is very moving and gritty account of the grind and horror of the First World War. It is a savage critique of the appalling treatment meted out by the High Command to the men on the front line. Its main characters are the story teller an older more experienced officer and the hero Harry Penrose, a young, idealistic, naïve but extremely brave junior officer. The Author A.P.Herbert served in both Gallipoli and the Western Front as an infantry officer so he knows his subject. The Gallipoli section of the book certainly brings home the hellish conditions the men fought in. In summary Harry Penrose serves bravely in both theatres and continually exposes himself to danger and death. At the conclusion of the book he is worn down and finally succumbs to battle fatigue and shell shock and which point he is arrested and shot for cowardice in the field. As story teller notes ' .....my friend Harry was shot for cowardice - and he was one of the bravest men I ever knew'. Don't buy the Amazon paperback version as the print is so small it's virtually unreadable. I had to set it aside and purchase the Kindle version in order to read it.
5 people found this helpful
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Rob Kemp
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything that can be said....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2016
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Secret Battle
Well, what can I say?
Gritty, honest, moving, bleak!
All I can say is this; If you love and appreciate moving accounts of real stories from the First World War, then do please read this book
I doubt you'll be disappointed!!
One person found this helpful
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mr m white
3.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Battle: A Tragedy of The First World War
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2012
Verified Purchase
An excellent and thought provoking book. Disturbing in many ways and certainly a cause for concern about wars in general
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