Her Privates We (Serpent's Tail Classics) - Softcover

Manning, Frederic

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184668787X ISBN 13: 9781846687877

Publisher: Serpent's Tail, 2013

Synopsis

"The finest and noblest book of men and war that I have ever read."—Ernest Hemingway

"I am sure it is the book of books so far as the British Army is concerned."—Lawrence of Arabia

"A unique and extraordinary novel"—William Boyd

First published privately in 1929 as The Middle Parts of Fortune, Her Privates We is the novel of the Battle of the Somme told from the perspective of Bourne, an ordinary private. A raw and shockingly honest portrait of men engaged in war, "that peculiarly human activity," the original edition was subject to "prunings and excisions" because the bluntness of language was thought to make the book unfit for public distribution. This edition restores them.

An undisputed classic of war writing and a lasting tribute to all who participated in the war, Her Privates We was originally published as written by "Private 19022." Championed by, amongst others, Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, T. S. Eliot, and T. E. Lawrence, it has become recognized as a classic in the seventy years since its first publication. Now republished, it will again amaze a new generation of readers with its depiction of the horror, the ordinariness, and the humanity of war.

Frederic Manning enlisted in 1915 in the Shropshire Light Infantry and went to France in 1916 as "Private 19022." The Shropshires saw heavy fighting on the Somme and Manning's four months there provided the background to Her Privates We. He died in 1935.

About this title

About the Author

Frederic Manning was born in Sydney, Australia in 1882. He moved to England in 1903 where he pursued a literary career, reviewing and writing poetry. He enlisted in 1915 in the Shropshire Light Infantry and went to France in 1916 as 'Private 19022.' The Shropshires saw heavy fighting on the Somme and Manning's four months there provided the background to Her Privates We. He died in 1935.

Review

[I read Her Privates We] every year to remember how things really were so that I will never lie to myself or anyone else about them -- Ernest Hemingway One of the very best writers we have -- T. S. Eliot The book of books as far as the British army is concerned -- TE Lawrence The best of our war novels -- E. M. Forster Manning's masterpiece ... incredibly moving and revelatory -- Gabriel Byrne * Irish Times *

About this edition

• Publisher: Serpent's Tail
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 184668787X
• ISBN 13: 9781846687877
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272