"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
It hardly seems fair to place a man in hell and then to punish him when he shows fear. Yet this was standard procedure in the British army in World War I, when execution by firing squad was punishment for desertion in the face of the enemy and other crimes. Using recently released courts-martial records, clinical scientist Corns and retired British army intelligence Colonel Hughes-Wilson attempt to explain Britain's use of the ultimate punishment in terms of the military, medical, and social mind-sets of the time. The book begins and ends well, with essential background at the front and ruminative discussion at the back. In between, however, is a tedious bog. Here, the authors summarize case after miserable case, each reported in exactly the same numbing, repetitive fashion. The authors do not chronicle all 346 British military executions that took place at that time; it just feels as if they do. Words like heart-rending and poignant are sometimes used, but such emotions rarely emerge from the page. There's no flesh on these old bones, and, though it is clear that the authors themselves see the men who were shot as individuals, for us they remain only names. Nevertheless, this is a unique, important work and a valuable resource; recommended for both larger public and academic libraries. Michael F. Russo, Louisiana State Univ. Libs., Baton Rouge
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # HU-9780304366965
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Three hundred and fifty-one men were executed by British Army firing squads between September 1914 and November 1920. By far the greatest number, 266 were shot for desertion in the face of the enemy. The executions continue to haunt the history of the war, with talk today of shell shock and posthumous pardons. Using new material released from the Public Records Office and other sources, the authors reveal what really happened and place the story of these executions firmly in the context of the military, social and medical context of the period. The definitive history of the British soldiers executed by their own Army during the First World War Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780304366965
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780304366965
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Seller Inventory # B9780304366965
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 47a86553cac6fdd7331d1ef5419502b2
Book Description Condition: New. 2007. New. Paperback. The definitive history of the British soldiers executed by their own Army during the First World War Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks. Num Pages: 560 pages, 24. BIC Classification: 3JJF; HBJD; HBWN; JWX. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 216 x 142 x 55. Weight in Grams: 672. . . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780304366965
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. new edition. 543 pages. 8.75x5.50x2.00 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __030436696X
Book Description Condition: New. 2007. New. Paperback. The definitive history of the British soldiers executed by their own Army during the First World War Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks. Num Pages: 560 pages, 24. BIC Classification: 3JJF; HBJD; HBWN; JWX. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 216 x 142 x 55. Weight in Grams: 672. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9780304366965
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6666-HCE-9780304366965
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # HU-9780304366965