Last Words


It is also widely believed that the men who fought on the Western Front to liberate Belgium and France were fools who blindly accepted the orders issued by butchers and bunglers which sent them to their deaths. The fact that both the soldiers and their generals actually won the war, and were mostly proud of their achievement, appears to have been lost somewhere along the way.

Paddy Griffith
The Great War on the Western Front

That's the last couple of lines in the last book Paddy had published (except, possibly for the Osprey on the Western Desert). It captures his style and incisive analytical style rather well. It's not a bad summary on the Great War either.

So you may surmise that I've just finished reading it. It's a short book (as promised) but it is also beautifully written with the mix of historical insight and sardonic wit anyone who know Paddy would expect from him.

Anyone who thinks they understand the Great War from reading Pat Barker and Sebastian Faulks should be given a copy of this and made to read it.

Comments

  1. I'll have to give that one a read, I've enjoyed Paddy Griffith other works immensely
    he will indeed be sorely missed.

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  2. I got it from Dave Lanchester at a very reasonable price. It's not on his website (http://www.davidlanchestermilitarybooks.co.uk/), but if you were to contact him I'm sure he'd do you a deal.

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