Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #217430 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

Customer Reviews

Perhaps the best read I have had in recent years!
The simple cover and unusual title do not do this splendid book any favours, for I can honestly say that this is one of the most eloquent and most interesting accounts of the Great War I have read in recent years!

This excellent volume tells the fascinating story of John Lucy, a young man from Cork, who shortly after leaving school, was, along with his brother locked out of their home by their Father one evening and told to stay out. They therefore traveled to Dublin and being full of life and spirit and seeking adventure, joined the Royal Irish Rifles in January 1912.

After training at the depot and subsequent postings to both Dover and Tidworth, they joined the 2nd Battalion as it moved to France. Sadly his brother was killed at the Aisne, however John saw action at Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne, 3rd Ypres , Cambrai and Neuve Chapelle where his unit was reduced to just 2 officers and 46 men, when 181 men were killed in less than four days!

This brave young man eventually received a well deserved commissioned and saw further action before he received wounds that meant his return to England and the end of the war.
This is a superb book will be invaluable to military historians with an interest in the Great War and the Irish Divisions, it is one of the few volumes available that describe the early battles of 1914. In 1938, a critic wrote - `it is easily the best [war book] written by an Irishman' - this in my opinion is still true and therefore many will not want to be without it.

The Greatest Account of War Ever Written by an Irishman
This book is simply superb. Not only does it give a detailed insight to the pre-war British Army of World War One, but also gives a fantastic account of war in general in a gripping and highly readable format. If you have an interest in World War One then you should have already got this book firmly embedded in your collection, if you have an interest in soldiering and military history in general then this is essential reading.
Not only are the horrors of trench life and the needless slaughter described here, but also the compassion, the humour and the moving are all here in abundance.
Another aspect of the book is the viewpoint of an Irishman fighting for the Britsh which is tactfully protrayed in Lucy's highly interesting text.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Buy it and I guarentee you will not be disapointed.

Masterful and Tragic, An insight into Life in the Trenches
John Lucy's story of his time serving the colours is truly a fascinating account of life in the British Army during the preceeding years to World War One and during the Great War itself. As an irishman it was not his war. He didn't have to volunteer for the Army but volunteer he and his brother did, serving with the Royal Irish Rifles as part of the 36th Ulster Division.
Everyone has heard of the horrors of trench warfare during World War One but John Lucy actually brings it to life. It is a truly moving account that is harrowing, humourous, touching but not for the feint hearted. I laughed out loud and wiped more than one tear away from my eye during the course of this book.
I will not go into detail so as not to spoil it but I urge you to read it, I defy anyone with an ounce of compassion not to be moved.