THEIR FINEST HOUR, THE WAR IN THE FIRST PERSON

Allan A. Michie and Walter Graebner, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 3^rd imp. 1940.

This book is a collection of almost unbelievably dramatic personal experience stories written during the past few months by the officers and men of Britain’s fighting and civilian services.

Containing thirteen stories in the first person, the book constitutes probably the best and most complete record of the heroic exploits of the soldiers, airmen, merchant seamen, sailors, A.F.S. fire-fighters, and ordinary civilians in their fight for their country and for all humanity.

All the stories have featured in the famous American magazine, Life, and have been received with such interest by it’s 20,000,000 readers that further stories of personal experiences will be published every few weeks for the duration of the war. They have been planned and edited by Life’s London correspondents, Allan A.Michie and Walter Graebner.

 The book includes more than thirty photographs, taken in action by Life’s staff photographers in Great Britain. So go the sleeve notes on the book.

The dust jacket is just present but is in two halves and is, in reality, but a tattered remnant. Somehow though, it epitomises the spirit depicted in the book itself. The cover boards are stained or tinted at the extremes and the pages are a little light tinted at the extreme edges. With the exception of one detached (but present) black and white picture plate, the pages are still tightly bound. One of the most fascinating photographs for me is one which shows sailors on the deck of a British ship, manoeuvring a new submarine periscope into position, ready for off-loading. The pictures show the true character of the British people as they went about their lives during wartime.

It is sad to think that this awareness of nationhood and strength of character has seemingly become so diluted today.