New Book Available To Order: Nadja - The Complete Poems

2020 marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Marchesa Nadja Malacrida – or Louisa Green as she was born – and, while she probably wouldn’t still have been around today, her life would certainly have continued to be fascinating and enjoyable for many more years had she not been killed in a tragic car accident in 1934.

What better time, therefore, to gather all her published poems together in one single volume for the first time ever? These four original collections were all written over a century ago and have been practically unobtainable for many years without laying out a small fortune to a rare book dealer.

We have put them together here with a brief biography of the author, and a few photos and other bits and pieces, that we hope you will find of interest – and that Nadja herself would also approve of.

Annotated and illustrated with new a introduction & preface, author biography, appendices and 12 new photographs.

 

Mail order sales link:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1909643424

Book Review "An Unladylike Profession: American Women War Correspondents in World War 1" by Chris Dubbs (Potomac Books, Nebraska, 2020)

Book Review "An Unladylike Profession: American Women War Correspondents in World War 1" by Chris Dubbs (Potomac Books, Nebraska, 2020)

If, like me – in spite of having commemorated the First World War for years – you thought that the role of women during that conflict was to stay at home, knit and “keep the home fires burning”, then - oh boy - is this book definitely for you!   Many of the exploits of the American women (and 1 British) journalists who braved the dangerous, U-boat infested waters of the Atlantic to travel to Europe during WW1 are, to say the least, hair-raising.  

I found so much of interest in Chris’s magnificent book that I could write a very long review – but that isn’t the point as reviews need to be fairly brief.  The front cover – a photograph of photojournalist Helen Johns Kirtland inspecting an exploded naval mine on the Belgian coast - sets the scene, heralding Chris’s research into the remarkable exploits of 39 women writers.  Due to my research during the centenary years for a series of commemorative exhibitions about the role of women in WW1, I already knew about Nelly Bly, Inez Milholland Boissevain and Louise Bryant but I had never heard of the others.

In order to get round the restrictions involving travel in the war zones and the reluctance to allow women anywhere near the front lines, many of those journalists volunteered with the many American agencies, such as the YMCA, who sent personnel, equipment and money to the countries fighting for their freedom.  Some of them nursed too.  And they did not just cover the Western Front but, as you will discover, they travelled to many of the other countries involved in the conflict. Once there, they reported on conditions for civilians and troops alike while at the same time recording their own experiences and feelings.  I found the exploits of Peggy Hull, who was the first woman to be officially accredited by the U.S. Army (p. 243), and Eleanor Franklin Egan in Russia 1918 - 1919 of particular interest because my Grandfather was there with the British Army at that time.  Egan survived a tragic incident involving a Greek passenger ship and an Austrian U-boat near the Island of Crete (p. 189)

As well as quoting from the reports sent back to the various newspapers and magazines in America, Chris also tells us a good deal about the women themselves and includes photographs of the journalists, some of whom were not young women when they set out on their incredible journeys.

With superb illustrations, maps and biographies of the women journalists, plus a very detailed bibliography, this is a book you will return to again and again.

I could not put this book down, and I read it from cover to cover with great enjoyment. You must read it. With thanks to Chris Dubbs for a truly remarkable book and for mentioning me in the acknowledgements for Chris contacted me during the preparation of the book about some of the events included.

Lucy London, October 2020

FOR MAIL ORDER LINK:  CLICK HERE

Book Review: “The Adventures of Bluebell Bunny” by Becky Bishop

Becky’s latest book is a real treat as it tells the story of a delightful, fictitious rabbit in verse.  Inspired by a mischievous real life rabbit, Bluebell goes on a variety of adventures, finishing up with a flight in a plane.   Written in the wonderful verse that Becky writes and superbly illustrated throughout, this is a book that children of all ages and adults alike – especially those of us who love fairy tales and cuddly toys – will enjoy. 

I am also very pleased to report that one or two of Becky’s own illustrations are included and I am hoping this is just the start and that Becky will treat us to more of her own beautiful artwork.  I am looking forward very much to reading more of Becky’s books.

 

To find out more about “The Adventures of Bluebell Bunny” and to purchase a copy, please visit Becky’s website https://beckyspoemsandbooks.wordpress.com/

 

For an interview with Becky, please see http://femalewarpoets.blogspot.com/2020/09/introducing-becky-bishop-modern-poet.html

 

Lucy London, September 2020

Book Review: Lest We Forget by Becky Bishop

I only recently discovered Becky’s beautiful poetry but I am so glad I did.  Becky writes from the heart and her haunting and moving poems will surely resonate with those of us who lost relatives due to wars.  "Lest We Forget" is Becky'’s second collection of war-themed poems and contains poems inspired by both of the world conflicts.  Here you will find poems relating to conscientious objectors, the holocaust, shot at dawn, special operations executive, the Battle of Britain and D-Day, to name but a few of the subjects Becky has felt drawn to write about.

I enjoyed reading all of the poems but I particularly like “No longer a forgotten casualty” (p.15), written in memory of Gunner William George Foxworth. I like this poem partly because I am the Granddaughter of a Gunner but also because Gunner Foxworth initially had a civilian grave but, with the help of a relative, he has now been declared an official WW1 casualty.

Another dedicated poem is “Conscientious Objector” on page 76, written to the memory of Stephen Hobhouse. Stephen was a cousin of one of my “heroines” – the charity worker and campaigner for peace Emily Hobhouse, who we included in an exhibtiion about some of the Inspirational Women of WW1 which we organised during the WW1 centenary years

Becky has illustrated the book throughout with photographs taken on her many visits to museums, memorials and exhibitions both in the UK and elsewhere.  

As with Becky’s first war-themed collection - “At The Going Down of the Sun” - to my mind, these poems should be read by all school children and by anyone planning on visiting the memorials and graves commemorating the dead of wars.

Lucy London, July 2020

You can buy your copy of the book via mail order  HERE

Book Review: Brighton Tigers - A Story Of Sporting Passion

A lot of modern ice hockey fans probably won’t know that the Brighton Tigers were a big part of hockey history from the opening of their superb SS (Sports Stadium) in the 1930s right up until it was controversially closed in 1965 just when British ice hockey was slowly edging towards its next golden era.

However, I have been watching ice hockey just about long enough to remember the valiant Brighton BVH Royals team who kept the hockey flag flying for the South Coast in Division 3 of the British League where they had to play all of their games away for double points - so, as a keen reader of Stewart Roberts’ excellent Ice Hockey Annual over the years, I have always followed the various campaigns to get a new ice rink built in Brighton and, when Stewart announced that he was working on this history of the former Tigers team, I knew it would be something special.

While the main thrust of this book is, obviously, the Tigers teams of the 1930s to the 1960s there is a very interesting introduction that tells of earlier rinks in the Brighton area – namely the Victorian circular rink that operated from 1897-1901 and then a more modern facility at Hove (1929-1932).

This book is an absolute mine of information. Who knew, for example, that while most leisure facilities were closed for the duration of World War 2, the Brighton Sports Stadium had ice hockey matches on every week featuring a mixture of local players and visiting Canadian servicemen…?

There is a complete player directory of everybody who ever turned out for the Tigers teams - and that is quite an achievement in itself bearing in mind the scarcity of statistical information from the pre-war and immediate post war periods - as well as lots of great photos of many of the stars.

I may be slightly biased as this is the sort of book that I like to produce myself  - as well as to read - but it means that I can easily appreciate the huge amount of work that is involved in putting this sort of thing together  – seeking out all the facts and figures, getting permission for all the photos, checking and rechecking all the data…  It’s is a huge undertaking and even more so when a lot of the people are dead and there is nobody around to ask anything!

Whether you’re a modern hockey fan – or a bit of a nostalgia fan like me – or maybe know nothing about it and want to find out more, this book is definitely worth read.

And you don’t have to take my word for it – here are comments that a few other people have made:

“Book arrived yesterday, thank you. I've got to say how very impressed I am with it. You should be very proud. An everlasting history of the famous Brighton Tigers and an absolute must for Tigers (Bengals) fans everywhere and for sports fans generally in Brighton.” - Gordon Wade, Heineken League statistician.

“Received through the post yesterday a copy of your book on Brighton Tigers. It is excellent - superb lay-out and illustrations. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement that provides a comprehensive record of the sport in Brighton. And can be used as a powerful PR tool to 'sell' Brighton to any potential developers as the place in the UK to locate a new ice facility.” - David Gordon, ice hockey historian and member of Britain's Hall of Fame committee.

“Thanks for sending the book so quickly. I’m having fun dipping in and out of it from time to time and it’s really interesting to hear and see what went on before I was even born. I think it’s a fabulous book, very striking and smart-looking and very well put together.” - Vicki Gardner, Brighton resident.

“Really enjoying the book - Great work! And a real history lesson too, makes me wanna get the skates on!” - Gary O'Brien, son of Tigers' legend Mike O'Brien.

You can order your copy of the book via Amazon HERE

Book Review: “At The Going Down of the Sun” by Becky Bishop

“At The Going Down of the Sun” a collection of poems inspired by conflict and written by Becky Bishop

I have loved reading books of poems since I was a little girl and, like Becky, I also write poems, some of which have been inspired by the loss of family members during wars.  Becky, however, brings a wealth of tradition to her work, because she is related to WW1 soldier poet brothers the Hon. Julian Grenfell (1888 - 1915), and The Hon. Gerald William Grenfell (1890 – 1915), and to their sister, the Hon. Monica Grenfell who served as a Red Cross nurse during the First World War. And, among the 485 relatives Becky’s family lost due to conflicts, is also the WW1 soldier poet the Hon. Ivar Campbell (1890 - 1916).

Becky’s poems are written from the heart and I found them at the same time moving and inspiring. Becky has exactly captured the mood of those of us who have relatives who were lost due to conflict but have no known grave upon which to leave flowers.  Many of the poems are dedicated to a particular soldier, which I think is the most wonderful way of ensuring their memory lives on.

As my research into WW1 also includes the contribution of women, I was particularly interested in the poem entitled “A Girl from Meavy” about volunteer civilian worker Armorel Kitty Trevelyan (1898 – 1917) featured on pages 56 – 57.  Kitty joined the Army Service Corps (Canteens), died of measles and pneumonia at the age of 19 on 27th February 1917 and was buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.


Another poem that struck a chord with me was that on page 91 in memory of Wren Isabel Mary Milne-Home, who trained Wrens as telegraphists and may have trained my Aunt, who was a telegraphist with the Wrens during the Second World War.  Wren Isabel was drowned when the ship the S.S. “Aguila” was sunk by enemy action in the North Atlantic in 1941 en route for Gibraltar.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with Becky’s own photographs from her visit to the Battlefields of the Western Front, this book should, to my mind, be required reading for every school pupil in order to remind them why we wear poppies in November each year. I would also hope that all the WW1 museums wherever they are would have copies, so that Becky’s poems could be read at commemorative ceremonies.

Becky is a very prolific writer and I know she has a book of short stories due out soon – I can’t wait to read them. To find out more about Becky’s work please visit her website https://beckyspoemsandbooks.wordpress.com/ 

Lucy London, July 2020 

Book Review: "For Goodness Sake" by John Britten

This is a delightful collection of short stories about the Rev Graham West and his family as they move to take over his first parish in the Cambridgeshire countryside.

Having been brought up on the edge of the fen area concerned, I can confirm how realistic the setting is as there must be hundreds and hundreds of country towns and villages just like the fictional Random in the book.

My particular interest here comes from the fact that the author – John Britten – was a teacher at my old school and, while I mainly remember him as a careers teacher and head of sixth form, he was also an RE teacher for a long time. 

From the brief biography on the book cover, I discovered that he, in fact, studied theology at college and was ordained as a minister in the Congregational Church - so he will obvious know his subject matter as far as being a newly arrived clergyman is concerned and, apparently, a few of the occurrences that are described in the stories really did happen. 

The stories are set in the present day so, as well as the timeless intrigues of the village hierarchy and its larger than life personalities, alongside cricket, bell-ringing and choir stories, we also have up to date issues such as parking problems, bank closures and parish website dilemmas.

I am sure this book will appeal to readers of all ages and, whether you are actually interested in the religious aspects or not – you will still find it enjoyable. It is very easy to read and written with a certain amount of humour. Plus, the subjects covered are sufficiently wide that I’m sure that everybody will be able to identify with many of the stories.  

“For Goodness Sake” by John Britten

Paperback: 192 pages

ISBN: 978-1-982955-98-4

Amazon Price: £6.99

Also available on Kindle

For sales link, click HERE 

New Book Available - Wilfred Owen: Cenenary

Arguably the most famous of all the First World War poets, Wilfred Edward Salter Owen was born on 18th March 1893. We got involved with researching Owen and helping with events relating to his life and works in 2012 and ended up collecting so much "stuff" together that we decided for the centenary of the publishing of his first collection of poems that we would produce a publication ourselves about the journey we took, the things we found out and the fascinating people we met on the way.


For mail order details, please follow this link:
http://www.poshupnorth.com/2020/03/wilfred-owen-centenary-featuring-brief.html

Not all of the many poems Wilfred wrote were war-themed. Here is one:

To the Bitter Sweet-Heart: A Dream

One evening Eros took me by the hand,
And having folded feathers round my head,
Or sleep like feathers, towards a far hope sped,
I groping, for he bade me understand
He would soon fill with Yours my other hand –
But when I heard his singing wings expand
My face fell deeply in his shoulder.
Sweet moons we flew thus, yet I waned not older
But in his exquisiteness I flagged, unmanned
Till, when his wings were drooping to an end
Feeling my empty hand fulfilled with His,
I knew Love gave himself my passion-friend.
So my old quest of you requited is,
Ampler than e’er I asked of your girl’s grace.
I shall not ask you more, nor see your face.

Written in France early in 1917

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen (18th March 1893 – 4th November 1918)

Source: "The Poems of Wilfred Owen" Edited by Jon Stallworthy (Chatto & Windus, London, 1990)

Book Review: “MI6: British Secret Intelligence Service 1909 – 1945” by Nigel West

“MI6: British Secret Intelligence Service 1909 – 1945” by Nigel West (Frontline Books, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books, Barnsley, 2019)

Having been brought up on the dashing, glamorous spy stories of “Reilly - Ace of Spies” and John Buchan’s Hannay, I was very keen to read this book to find the true story behind how those early characters of British espionage actually fitted in.

I was greatly surprised to learn at the beginning of the book that, prior to the First World War, the British Intelligence Services were not properly organised and operated in a rather haphazard manner, with ship captains and overseas travellers reporting back in an informal manner on anything they should come across.  The advent of the First World War, and the worries about communist inflitrators following the Russian Revolution, meant that the British Intelligence Services needed to be better organised and out of all this the organisations that we now know as MI5, MI6 and GCHQ were eventually created.

The first thing I have to say about this book is that it is very well researched and goes into a huge amount of detail.  In fact, it goes into so much detail that it becomes rather difficult to read, other than in small doses, as each page bombards you with fact upon fact, such as code names for agents, code names for operations, acronyms for different organisations and committees and generally who did what, where and when.  It is all completely fascinating and I read the book from cover to cover but, despite being an avid reader, I had to take it in small chunks and it took me longer than usual to finish.  This is by no means a criticism, as I fully appreciate how keen the author was to get as much information into the book as possible and to make it factually accurate.  In fact, I am very much looking forward to reading Nigel West’s other accounts.

Despite knowing quite a lot already about intelligence operations, the First and Second World Wars, etc. there are lots of instances described in this book about which I had no idea.  To name just a couple to whet you appetite, I was very surprised to discover that officers and NCOs who were going abroad on active service during the Second World War were all taught a special code to use were they to be captured, by which they could conceal useful military information in letters home without making it obvious to the censors in their POW camps.

Another interesting fact that I didn’t know was quite how great the concern was during World War 2 that Spain might enter the war on the side of the Axis nations and the problems that this would cause for any military information in the Mediterranean.  It turns out that this was such a realistic proposition that all Spanish ship captains carried a set of sealed instructions with them at all times, which were to be opened should Spain enter the war, with instructions as to what they should do next.

There are numerous fascinating stories such as this, lots of tales of intrigue from between the wars when British intelligence was trying to maintain operational stations in various cities across Europe and the latter part of the book also goes into great detail about how the American intelligence services were set up and the British involvement with them.

As you can tell from the foregoing, I am really enthusiastic about this book and enjoyed reading every page of it, however heavy going it may have been at times.  I would certainly recommend this book to anybody with an interest in this subject and I would fully expect Nigel West’s other books to be as similarly detailed and enjoyable.

“MI6: British Secret Intelligence Service 1909 – 1945” by Nigel West (Frontline Books, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books, Barnsley, 2019).  For further details, as well as information about all their wonderful books, check out the Pen & Sword website https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/

Paul Breeze
13th February 2020

Stuart Greenfield (1934-2020) - The World Champion At The End Of Our Road!

We were saddened to hear about the recent death of an old friend from our Pendle days, Stuart Greenfield.

Stuart was a popular character around his native Colne and he gained a certain amount of fame locally when he became involved with the ancient game of knur and spell, which enjoyed a revival in the towns around the East Lancashire / West Yorkshire border areas in the late 1950s.

Huge crowds used to flock out into the countryside to watch the matches and large sums used to change hands in sidebetting (allegedly…!).

By the early 1970s, the game had attracted sponsorship and TV coverage and Stuart managed to become World Champion (at least as far as the knur and spell "world" actually extended…) on two occasions.

He was retired when we knew him and spent most of his time walking and supporting the local cricket and football teams. One day, he got out his box of photos and memorabilia from his knur and spell days and started showing us - and Paul being Paul, he thought it would be a great subject to do a small book about.

Stuart wasn’t particularly academic so we wrote down all his memories and funny stories, typed them up and put it all into book form - and he kept popping round with extra notes of things that he’d thought of.

It was great fun to write and it was very good for Stuart as well as it pushed him to get in touch with a lot of old friends that he had lost touch with over the years.

Stuart was very proud of the book that we created together – and it remains to this day the only book in the world about the history and development of knur and spell.

I’m sure that, if he is looking down now, he would not want me to miss this opportunity to mention that copies are still available via Amazon and all other good outlets..!


Check it out HERE