Siân Price

If You’re Reading This

Every year we remember our war dead in the main from the two world wars and the recent conflicts, but as a nation we have over the years, had many who have paid the ultimate price for their country. With literacy improving and media we learn more what is happening in the conflicts that occur, but the one part we do not see are those private letters home. All modern soldiers now right a final letter in the event of being killed in action for their loved ones to open; in earlier wars they may have written those letters while fighting. These are often sad and poignant letters the final words from the lost.

Sian Price has brought together in If You’re Reading This .... the Last Letters from the front line, starting with Britain’s war against France, to the conflicts out in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is great value in this book in that it revives the memories of past generations of men, who went to war under our flag, and sent their final letters home. During the reading of this book we notice the change of attitude in those serving but one enduring theme is the disgust and disillusionment of the men towards the politician. The people who send them to war but not possessing the balls to do their own dirty work, the one thing a soldier of the Napoleonic Wars have in common with the modern soldier is the black humour but that is required when facing death on a daily basis.

Sian Price in her introduction writes “All farewell letters have been written at very specific times in people’s lives and are intrinsically linked to their situation at the time” and “The reaction of families to these priceless letters have remained unchanged throughout history.” This is something that you feel as you read through the book especially when you think of the situation many of the men were in. This book does not glorify war but it does shine a light on how our fighting men feel about being in a situation generally not of their making.

In each of the chapters there is an introduction to the conflict that the soldiers are fighting in, then there is a reproduction of a letter from a soldier, their name and whether they lived or died or for some, executed. Letters from all ranks in all conflicts to names we may remember to those we never knew it will stir various feelings mostly those of sorrow and when you view the names you think about how old they were and it really brings it home.

If You’re Reading This.... Is a poignant book that brings the harsh life of being in the front line and as a read it makes you think of how easily we forget to thank those men for their service. This is one of the most touching, at times heartbreaking books that I have read in a long time and I am very grateful that I have.… (mais)