Bernard_Lewis Posted 11 May , 2015 Share Posted 11 May , 2015 Given the potential scope of the subject matter this is a relatively slim volume running to 125 pages (at the risk of blowing my own trumpet my work on Swansea runs to 224 pages of more closely packed text though size isn't everything...) Indeed, there is a general Great War timeline contained within the work that eats up a total of 13 pages and, while useful, has no specific information on the Cardiff and the Valleys experience. Indeed, the 1916 battle of Mametz Wood doesn't merit a mention in the timeline despite the Cardiff City Battalion suffering heavily along with numerous other Welsh units. The author, Gary Dobbs is said to be 'responsible for a string of best-selling westerns as well as the popular crime series, 'Granny Smith''. Cardiff...Great War is his first major work of non-fiction. It is clear that the author can write and the book flows along nicely. That said I have to profess disappointment at the result. Most books on the experiences of a town or city in the Great War will either have chapters based on themes (recruitment, food supply etc) or will follow a chronological approach and 'travel' through the four plus years of the war in date order. This book seems to take a hybrid approach - so there is a chapter on each year of the war (with the 'big picture' timeline at the start of each) as well as others on particular topics such as 'War in the Air'; 'The Cardiff Pals in Macedonia' and 'Women at War'. The level of research seems light to this reviewer, hence the book length of just 125 pages. The impact of the war on Cardiff is also lost on occasion with the chapter on 'War in the Air' running to only 2.5 pages with no specific reference to Cardiff or its airmen whatsoever. The searing experience of the Cardiff City Battalion (16th Welsh) at Mametz Wood in July 1916 is dealt with in 12 lines while the sad fate of Edith Cavell (rendered as Cavill in the index) earns over 20 lines despite the heroine having no known link to Cardiff that I am aware of. There are, of course, some interesting snippets that have been largely culled from the press of the time, but little has been added by way of context and some items seem to have been included as 'interesting' despite there being no real link to Cardiff. So we are told of the escape of German POWs but from a North Wales prison camp; the sinking of the Lusitania is described as being 'a key factor in America's declaration of war on Germany' despite a wait of 23 months. So, all in all, a great disappointment though I'm sure that a casual reader would find items of interest; while most Great War Forum devotees would, in my opinion, come away unsatisfied. The book is published by Pen and Sword Books and is priced at £9.99. Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalyback Posted 11 May , 2015 Share Posted 11 May , 2015 Given the small volume how much is the valleys experience split? Is one valley more talked about? What do German Pow have to do with the South, none got this far? The mid Wales gap is hell in a car let alone escape and evasion in enemy territory. PS next talk bar the Western Front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 12 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2015 Oops! The WFA is next... https://bernardlewisauthor.wordpress.com/my-talks/ Valley towns are mentioned but infrequently and the index is really inadequate making a look up harder than needs be...e.g. Bargoed appears on p. 107 - but not in the index ( Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 12 May , 2015 Share Posted 12 May , 2015 ... The author, Gary Dobbs is said to be 'responsible for a string of best-selling westerns as well as the popular crime series, 'Granny Smith''. Cardiff...Great War is his first major work of non-fiction. It is clear that the author can write and the book flows along nicely... The book is published by Pen and Sword Books and is priced at £9.99. Bernard Being a good writer of fiction does not necessarily mean being able to produce a satisfactory factual book on a specialist subject. As I've mentioned before, Pen & Sword advertised in at least one writers' magazine for authors of the "...in the Great War" series, an ability to write reasonably sometimes being more important than relevant experience of the subject. With so many titles being published, I do wonder if quality has suffered a little. The length and price of "Cardiff and the Valleys ..." match those of other titles in the series. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aneurin Posted 12 May , 2015 Share Posted 12 May , 2015 Why include the Valleys? The story of Cardiff in the war warrants much more than a share of a mere 125 pages. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 12 May , 2015 Share Posted 12 May , 2015 I suspect that the series is aimed at a general readership, people with some interest in local history but not sufficiently enthused to buy a detailed work. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 12 May , 2015 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2015 My book is 'detailed' with sales approaching 900. There is a Forum chum who could have given us a good account on Cardiff had P&S not already signed someone up! Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 12 May , 2015 Share Posted 12 May , 2015 That's impressive, Bernard. I like to think that I could have done justice to Salisbury, had I the inclination, but I'm very ready to accept that a fresh approach is desirable. I'm also very happy to help the author that P & S selected. He has also spoken to acknowledged experts on the city's history and we're having another meeting on Friday to discuss illustrations. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now