A Dirty Swindle
True Stories of Scots in the Great War
Published on 30. September 2015
Book
Hardback
156 pages
978-1-910745-13-7 (ISBN)
Description
Walter Stephen provides an uninhibited look at the misery and toil of World War I through a collection of twelve diverse stories. Providing a Scottish perspective, he takes a look at tales from home and abroad with scepticism, delving deeper to unveil the unencumbered truth. Recalling Siegfried Sassoon's words, Stephen reveals the failures of those in command as the Great War became known as A Dirty Swindle. The varied accounts chronicle the progress of troops from recruitment to training to the frontline, as well as enlightening historians to a side of Field Marshal Haig never seen before.
Reviews / Votes
Walter Stephen eschews any temptation to cover old ground, instead presenting a series of uniquely Scottish and deeply individual accounts of the conflict... the author pieces together a series of personal tales that provide a valuable contribution to how the Great War is understood in the present day. ROBERT TURBYNE, Leopard MagazineThis book approaches the war from different angles... particularly through the lives of certain individuals... telling the stories, warmly, directly and allowing any emotion expressed to come through the words of others. I would certainly recommend Walter Stephen's book, which has a light and deft touch, in such a painful area of history. His writing is warm, informative about so many people and places, sympathetic but never sentimental. MORELLE SMITH, Scottish Review
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
470 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-910745-13-7 (9781910745137)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
09/2018
2nd Edition
Luath Press Ltd
€32.39
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Previous edition
Book
09/2018
2nd Edition
Luath Press Ltd
€32.39
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
WALTER STEPHEN was born in Thurso, Caithness and educated at schools and universities in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with degrees in Geography, Economic History and Education. He was Principal Teacher of Geography in schools in Fife and Edinburgh, before becoming the first Adviser in Social Studies in Edinburgh and Senior Adviser in Lothian Region. He set up Castlehill Urban Studies Centre, the first successful Urban Studies Centre in Britain, and the History of Education Centre.
Content
Contents
Acknowledgements 9
Introduction True Stories 11
Chapter 1 A Peace Warrior and His Family in the Great War 27
Chapter 2 Out of the Frying Pan 78
Chapter 3 Dark Lochnagar 85
Chapter 4 The First Hundred Thousand 90
Chapter 5 McCrae's Battalion - Eponymous or Anonymous? 102 Chapter 6 The War Poets in the Eye of the Storm 125
Chapter 7 Memento Mori 144
Chapter 8 Their Name Liveth 154
Chapter 9 Observe the Sons of Ulster 160
Chapter 10 The Scottish National War Memorial 168
Chapter 11 'God bless the Kaiser!' 174
Chapter 12 Andra and the Field-Marshal 178
Bibliographical Note 187
Acknowledgements 9
Introduction True Stories 11
Chapter 1 A Peace Warrior and His Family in the Great War 27
Chapter 2 Out of the Frying Pan 78
Chapter 3 Dark Lochnagar 85
Chapter 4 The First Hundred Thousand 90
Chapter 5 McCrae's Battalion - Eponymous or Anonymous? 102 Chapter 6 The War Poets in the Eye of the Storm 125
Chapter 7 Memento Mori 144
Chapter 8 Their Name Liveth 154
Chapter 9 Observe the Sons of Ulster 160
Chapter 10 The Scottish National War Memorial 168
Chapter 11 'God bless the Kaiser!' 174
Chapter 12 Andra and the Field-Marshal 178
Bibliographical Note 187