My First Book of Letters

Nothing in the papers, not the most vivid and heart-rending descriptions, have made me realise war like your letters\' Vera Brittain to Roland Leighton, 17 April 1915.This selection of letters, written between 1913 & 1918, between Vera Brittain and four young men - her fiance Roland Leighton, her brother Edward and their close friends Victor Richardson & Geoffrey Thurlow present a remarkable and profoundly moving portrait of five young people caught up in the cataclysm of total war. Roland, \'Monseigneur\', is the \'leader\' & his letters most clearly trace the path leading from idealism to disillusionment. Edward, \' Immaculate of the Trenches\', was orderly & controlled, down even to his attire. Geoffrey, the \'non-militarist at heart\' had not rushed to enlist but put aside his objections to the war for patriotism\'s sake. Victor on the other hand, possessed a very sweet character and was known as \'Father Confessor\'. An important historical testimony telling a powerful story of idealism, disillusionment and personal tragedy. Σελίδες: 448, Έτος Έκδοσης: 0101, Διαστάσεις: 15.7x15.7cm