armourersergeant Posted 3 November , 2004 Share Posted 3 November , 2004 'Under the Devils Eye, Britains Forgotten Army at Salonika 1915-18', by Wakefield and Moody. I have just finished this book and can say that it is a welcome addition not just to my book collection but to the war and the subject of Salonika as well. Salonika is like many of the 'sideshows' an increasing area of interest to many that struggles for good books. There are too few books to cover this area of the war and perhaps the best to date is Palmers 'Gardners of Salonika'. This deals with the war from all views and is heavy on the inter allied co-operation. Many others are from the twenties and are stooped in writing of the times and void of real/truthful information. In some respects they are the reading equivilent of eating cardboard. So it was with both delight and trepidation that i welcomed the above book, especially when i learnt that one, and now both, authors were members of this forum. They can rest easy. This book is packed with first hand accounts that add 'real' recollections to the narrative. Subjects covered are not just the fighting, which was intermitten in this theatre, but also Medical, air, logistics, recreation and much more. Backing this up is a vast collection of maps that help visually translate the written word and not surprisingly given Alan Wakefields vocation, more than the average amount of photos. Again these images do not just capture the soldier in the front line but all aspects of the Salonika campaign. There is also an appendix of the divisions that fought out there , which i found helpful to refer to when reading the chapters of the offensives. The chapters do well to split up the war in to managable sections and as i have mentioned already give an insight to all aspects of the life that the men and women endured out there. If the Bulgars were not on them then the climate was. It is good that the authors focused in part on the recreational and medical sides of the campaign as these areas were major parts of this war. The men rarely had leave away from Salonika and were forced to make there own and the climate made medical aid a very important part of the army. My advice, whilst biased, is to get hold of a copy and learn something about a section of the 1914-18 war that passes many by. Well done Arm Ps Printing error. In my copy the page headers for section 'Life behind the lines', goes to 'life in the front line' after one page! Having lost my page this puzzled me for a few minutes. It doesnt take much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 5 November , 2004 Share Posted 5 November , 2004 Arm Thank for posting the review. I was pleased to read that you enjoyed the book. Must say I was a little cheesed off when I noticed that page headers cock-up - especially when everything was OK with the proofs!!! Worst of all, in my opinion, was the publisher's failure to correct the labelling of the Doiran battlefield photo - I told them the P2 arrow needed shifting as it points to Petit Couronne, plus no label for that important hill or for Jumeaux Ravine. Oh well I suppose unless you stand over these people something will always slip through the net. Overall Simon and I are very happy with how the book turned out and hope that all those who read it will gain something from the work. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curranl Posted 5 November , 2004 Share Posted 5 November , 2004 Hello All, I have just finished this book as well and would highly recommend it to any one with an interest in the Salonika campaign. As Arm says the book is very comprehensive, giving detailed accounts not just of the actions, but of life for the troops during all aspects of the campaign. I agree on the photos, too. Many more than you would normally find in a book of this nature. Well done, Alan and Simon. Regards, Liam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted 5 November , 2004 Share Posted 5 November , 2004 Hello all, I haven't read this book yet but will put it on my list. One recent acquisition has been a 14-15 star to a sergeant in No.4 Canadian General Hospital which served in Salonika (less than 1500 members of the CEF) served in the region). This campaign reminds me of the troops who were slogging their way up the Italian boot who were somewhat lost in the excitement over D-Day. My father always has been quite proud of his D-Day Dodger status! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonM Posted 8 November , 2004 Share Posted 8 November , 2004 Thanks folks, Really kind of you to post such great reviews. I have to say I was not sure how it would be received. Although we set out to tell the personal stories of the participants, the amount of official material included (I hope) gives it a level of accuracy and reliability that a purely oral history/diar/letter/memoir driven account might not have. We had fun writing it and I am glad you guys enjoyed reading it! Regards Simon Moody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard lock Posted 3 November , 2008 Share Posted 3 November , 2008 Hi -- I'm not sure how to use this system -- I'm trying to contact Alan Wakefield since my father was in the RAMC at Salonika from (probably) 1915 to 1917 ... He never spoke of it, and of course is no longer with us ... I CAN'T GET YOUR BOOK ANYWHERE! PLEASE HELP! Richard lock Arm Thank for posting the review. I was pleased to read that you enjoyed the book. Must say I was a little cheesed off when I noticed that page headers cock-up - especially when everything was OK with the proofs!!! Worst of all, in my opinion, was the publisher's failure to correct the labelling of the Doiran battlefield photo - I told them the P2 arrow needed shifting as it points to Petit Couronne, plus no label for that important hill or for Jumeaux Ravine. Oh well I suppose unless you stand over these people something will always slip through the net. Overall Simon and I are very happy with how the book turned out and hope that all those who read it will gain something from the work. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 3 November , 2008 Share Posted 3 November , 2008 I'm sure Alan will be along soon, but if you cannot beg, steal or borrow a copy of 'Under the Devil's Eye' in the meantime, a paperback edition may be available sometime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 3 November , 2008 Share Posted 3 November , 2008 Richard, It should not be too difficult to borrow a copy through an inter-library loan - your local library will know what to do. That should keep you going until a paperback edition appears. Alan and Simon are pretty determined that this will happen. You may also want to search out a copy of "The Gardners of Salonika" by Alan Palmer (1964) which is the other single volume work on the campaign. There is a bibliography at the Salonika Campaign Society website http://www.salonika.talktalk.net/ and the "about the society" page may also be helpful to you. Do you know which unit(s) your father served with out in Salonika? Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 4 November , 2008 Share Posted 4 November , 2008 Hello Folks Just noticed the post so thought I'd update you on efforts to get the book reprinted. The 1 year rights clause is almost up (the publishers had to ensure the book was out of print for no longer than 1 year, or Simon and I get the rights back). Simon wrote to them a couple of months ago asking whether History Press were considering reprint/paperback. We heard back that they have decided for the moment not to follow this line. However, they still wanted to retain a stake in the book and maintain a 'good working relationship' with Simon and myself. Considering how they messed us around over the Mesopot book and the WWI diary I am editing (both of which we pulled from History Press) I'm surprised they had the cheek to put this latter point in writing. Anyawy, I now have to send them a quick letter stating we want freedom to take the book elsewhere for republication. I will then get on to my agent, who is already handling the Mespot book, and see where we go from there! It is a great shame what has happened at History Press - the demise of Suttons, Spellmount and Tempus in under 18 months. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n cherry Posted 5 November , 2008 Share Posted 5 November , 2008 Hi -- I'm not sure how to use this system -- I'm trying to contact Alan Wakefield since my father was in the RAMC at Salonika from (probably) 1915 to 1917 ... He never spoke of it, and of course is no longer with us ... I CAN'T GET YOUR BOOK ANYWHERE! PLEASE HELP! Richard lock Richard, At the risk of upsetting you, there is in theory a copy on www.bookfinder.com for nearly £30...... It is a good read and if all else fails as Martin says get a copy from your local library......at least you get to read it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 11 November , 2008 Share Posted 11 November , 2008 Niall, They were going for around £80 a time just after it went out of print, so they've now come down in price somewhat. I have to admit that I sold a couple of copies to Alan Wakefield last year ........ but I didn't get £80 for them - in fact rather less than the published price when the very last few were "remaindered" Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 17 December , 2008 Share Posted 17 December , 2008 Alan & Simon good luck with the re-publishing. I was lucky enough to snap it up when it was first published. There seems to be a wide range of prices today, up to £200! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 17 December , 2008 Share Posted 17 December , 2008 Does anyone want a copy for £195 ................................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 18 December , 2008 Share Posted 18 December , 2008 Martin, My sentiments too. I would like to read and keep a copy of this book...but not be £200 lighter in the process. Well overdue a re-print methinks! Aye Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew lucas Posted 18 December , 2008 Share Posted 18 December , 2008 a specialist militaria/train book shop in the centre of Brum, very close to new street station has them at cover price £19.99 and that was this month! matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 18 December , 2008 Share Posted 18 December , 2008 Tom As you can see from our earlier posting, Simon and I have argued long and hard with The History Press (successors to Suttons) regarding a reprint of Under the Devil's Eye. This is still a no go as far as the publishers are concerned. However, I am seeing my agent on Monday and will discuss the plan to get the book out via another firm. ALAN ps: Good to hear at least one bookseller has some copies and that they are selloing at the RRP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n cherry Posted 18 December , 2008 Share Posted 18 December , 2008 Tom As you can see from our earlier posting, Simon and I have argued long and hard with The History Press (successors to Suttons) regarding a reprint of Under the Devil's Eye. This is still a no go as far as the publishers are concerned. However, I am seeing my agent on Monday and will discuss the plan to get the book out via another firm. ALAN ps: Good to hear at least one bookseller has some copies and that they are selloing at the RRP. Alan, Hope you have a good Christmas and perphas meet again in 2009.....I might be down at the IWM.......you have an agent.....!!!!!! Get him or her to sort it out or sack them! Unless you want to pm me their details as I've never had an agent......are their terms reasonable???? Regards NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 20 December , 2008 Share Posted 20 December , 2008 Alan, Thanks for the update and good luck with the progress concerning re-printing the book. Aye Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudette Posted 6 April , 2009 Share Posted 6 April , 2009 Alan and Simon, Just wanted to add my thanks to you for your great book. My grandfather was with the Army Service Corps in Salonika from late 1915 to 1917 and your book has opened my eyes as to what life must have been like for him. Managed to borrow it from my local library, but would dearly love to have my own copy. Any further news yet as to whether it will be reprinted or will I have to save up my money for a second-hand copy? They are selling on Amazon.co.uk for £110 at present. Claudette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 9 April , 2009 Share Posted 9 April , 2009 Claudette Glad you enjoyed the book. I am going to sound out my agent to see if he will push a second edition or at least paperback edition to some publishers. If he's not keen in the current economic climate we are going to approach the chap who originally commissioned the book. He now works for Haynes Publishing and has already said he'd strongly push the title at any company editorial meeting. You might also be interested in the Salonika Campaign Society, of which I'm currently Chairman. We issue two magazines a year that are packed full of Salonika related stuff. If you PM me your postal address I'll send you a back issue. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tierney Posted 2 December , 2009 Share Posted 2 December , 2009 Claudette Glad you enjoyed the book. I am going to sound out my agent to see if he will push a second edition or at least paperback edition to some publishers. If he's not keen in the current economic climate we are going to approach the chap who originally commissioned the book. He now works for Haynes Publishing and has already said he'd strongly push the title at any company editorial meeting. You might also be interested in the Salonika Campaign Society, of which I'm currently Chairman. We issue two magazines a year that are packed full of Salonika related stuff. If you PM me your postal address I'll send you a back issue. ALAN Hi, I just wondered if you were any closer to a reprint. I have been trying to find a copy of the book and the cheapest online price so far was £926. None of my local libraries have it either. My great grandfather was with the Connaught Rangers and taken POW at the battle of Kosturino in Dec 1915, and this book seems like the best way to find out more about that campaign. I'd love to ask family about it but my great grandfather was killed (not war related) before my grandfather was born. I'd even be happy to pay the authors for an electronic copy. Any help or info would be great. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awakefield Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 When I have a little time in January I have two publishers to contact with regard to getting a new edition of 'Under the Devil's Eye' back out on the bookshelves. ALAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 One "reasonably" priced copy going in the Netherlands: http://www.vanstockum.nl/product/3790513/.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew lucas Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 wonder if anyone had a look in Brum for them a year ago at the price of £19.99? thats where i got mine....... matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_hughes Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Matt, I found & rang the shop straight away, but no, sold out... LST_164 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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