RaymondG
20th July 2008, 16:11
Laurence Rees made his name in the UK as a documentary maker and historian and has spent many years filming hundred of interviews with people directly involved or affected by war.
In this book, he writes about 35 people who he has interviewed over the years who stood out as being tested to the extreme in The Second World War whether it be displays of courage or life changing choices for others. It features stories from individuals who fought for Britain, Germany, America, The Sovet Union and Japan, as well as some individuals forced to make impossible decisions during the war.
I bought the book as the 'free' book in a buy two and get one free offer and did not expect too much from it, other than being a book I could dip into at bedtime. Rees is first and foremost a documentary maker and as such is not in the same class as Kershaw or Beevor.
I made a few groans as I started to read the book as I could see Rees' bias slip in from time to time, but it is actually a good read. I was more interested in the stories from Soviets and Japanese as they are seldom included in the books I tend to read.
It is certainly worth looking out for a copy and there are certainly some of the stories that have stuck in my mind and made me wonder what I would do faced with some of the dilemmas these people faced in such extraordinary circumstances.
Anthony Beevor described it as "A remarkably powerful colllection" and The Independent as "A lasting contribution to our understanding of the Second World War and a powerful insight into the behaviour of human beings in crisis"
Who am I to disagree with them?
Raymond
Details:
Title: 'Their Darkest Hour'
Author: Laurence Rees
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ebury Press (June 5, 2008)
ISBN-10: 009191759X
ISBN-13: 978-0091917593
Price: £7.99
Available in major bookshops and Amazon
In this book, he writes about 35 people who he has interviewed over the years who stood out as being tested to the extreme in The Second World War whether it be displays of courage or life changing choices for others. It features stories from individuals who fought for Britain, Germany, America, The Sovet Union and Japan, as well as some individuals forced to make impossible decisions during the war.
I bought the book as the 'free' book in a buy two and get one free offer and did not expect too much from it, other than being a book I could dip into at bedtime. Rees is first and foremost a documentary maker and as such is not in the same class as Kershaw or Beevor.
I made a few groans as I started to read the book as I could see Rees' bias slip in from time to time, but it is actually a good read. I was more interested in the stories from Soviets and Japanese as they are seldom included in the books I tend to read.
It is certainly worth looking out for a copy and there are certainly some of the stories that have stuck in my mind and made me wonder what I would do faced with some of the dilemmas these people faced in such extraordinary circumstances.
Anthony Beevor described it as "A remarkably powerful colllection" and The Independent as "A lasting contribution to our understanding of the Second World War and a powerful insight into the behaviour of human beings in crisis"
Who am I to disagree with them?
Raymond
Details:
Title: 'Their Darkest Hour'
Author: Laurence Rees
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ebury Press (June 5, 2008)
ISBN-10: 009191759X
ISBN-13: 978-0091917593
Price: £7.99
Available in major bookshops and Amazon