A. P. Wavell (1883–1950)

A study of the campaigns in the Middle East during World War I, specifically, the "Western Desert" (against the Senussi), the defence of the Suez Canal, Sinai campaigns, Palestine campaigns, and Syrian campaigns, with references to the Arab Revolt. I found the book to be surprisingly engaging and well-written, and it's quite informative. Wavell did have a literary bent (he famously edited a poetry anthology), and it shows in this book. Warmly recommended, even if you're not keen on military history.… (mais)

I'm not sure I share Wavell's old-fashioned taste for gung-ho rumpety tumpety verse (lots of Kipling and Chesterton and many lesser versifiers), and definitely not his taste for battle (he was, after all, a General), but there is something quaintly potty and very English in the idea of a battle-scarred general remembering and quoting huge chunks of verse with such relish. He diffidently offers his own rather delightful "Madonna of the Cherries" at the very end.
Among other favourites here are: "Tom o' Bedlam's Song", Stephen Hawes' "O mortal folk you may behold and see", Belloc's "Courtesy", and Ralph Hodgson's 'Twould ring the bells of heaven", whchj goes well with Blake's "Auguries of Innocence".… (mais)