SOLDIER FROM THE WARS RETURNING by Carrington, Charles

Hutchinson, 1965. Hardback.w/ dj, Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First edition. 1st 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 287 pages, maps, index.profound personal account of both World Wars.-------------------------------Soldier from the Wars Returning is not just another volume of reminiscences by an old soldier following a current vogue. It is, we believe one of the truest, most profound and readable personal accounts of the Great War. It has gained infinitely by the author having waited nearly fifty years before writing it: the perspective of history enhances its value.--------------------------In 1929 one of the best known books on the First World War was published. The title, A Subaltern's War; the author, "Charles Edmonds". Charles Edmonds is now revealed as Charles Carrington. In his new book, he writes only of the battles in which he participated (including the Somme and Passchendaele), though his sagacious comments on affairs beyond his knowledge at the time, through later study and reflection, are utterly stimulating. He describes, amongst a multitude of topics, the politicians, the generals, Kitchener's Army, Hore-Belisha, German gas attacks, Picardy, dug-outs, tanks, the sex-life of the soldier, scrounging, trench kits, and the censoring of letters.The second war implied in the title is World War II. The author saw the First War from below, as a combatant soldier in a line regiment, and the Second War from above, as a staff officer. Thus he is well-equipped to draw comparisons, which he does with pungency.