Saving Lives
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Campaign for Body Armour, 1914-18
Published on 31. August 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
88 pages
978-0-948092-82-4 (ISBN)
Description
Inspired by a collection of letters received by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during the First World War, Philip Abbott sets out to explore the inspirational campaign to provide body armour to British soldiers serving in the trenches.
Setting the letters in the context of the terrible losses suffered during the Battle of the Somme, Abbott reveals the actions of the War Office and Ministry of Munitions in providing better protection for the troops. He examines Conan Doyle's personal motives for involvement, and investigates the part played by another Edinburgh graduate, Caleb Saleeby, in promoting the development of helmets, body armour and shields.
Saving Lives is an absorbing account of how the creator of Sherlock Holmes used his fame to campaign against the horrific casualties on the Western Front.
Setting the letters in the context of the terrible losses suffered during the Battle of the Somme, Abbott reveals the actions of the War Office and Ministry of Munitions in providing better protection for the troops. He examines Conan Doyle's personal motives for involvement, and investigates the part played by another Edinburgh graduate, Caleb Saleeby, in promoting the development of helmets, body armour and shields.
Saving Lives is an absorbing account of how the creator of Sherlock Holmes used his fame to campaign against the horrific casualties on the Western Front.
Reviews / Votes
'Warfare is brutal but the life of every soldier is precious - this account of Conan Doyle's campaign to protect soldiers better after the horrors of the Somme shows the surprising compassion of one of Britain's best known writers. It is a most compelling read' (General the Lord Dannatt, GCB CBE MC DL); `By exploring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's largely unknown efforts, Philip Abbott reveals an important and overlooked chapter in the rebirth of modern body armor - a story that continues to unfold in conflict zones around the world today' (Donald J. La Rocca, Curator, Department of Arms and Armor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art); `A fascinating and superbly researched connection between a beloved author of fiction and the brutal reality of industrial warfare' (Jonathan Ferguson, Curator of Firearms, Royal Armouries)More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Leeds
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
38 black and white illustrations, 6 colour plates
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
272 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-948092-82-4 (9780948092824)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Philip Abbott is Records and Archives Manager at the Royal Armouries, Leeds.