CarylW Posted 9 February , 2006 Share Posted 9 February , 2006 I noticed in Borders today that 'The Wipers Times' have been reprinted. Introduction by Malcolm Brown Recently I was lucky enough to buy an old copy of the BEF Times (this incorporated the Wipers Times), facsimile bound editions reprinted in 1918 by Herbert Jenkins but this the WHOLE thing, all the editions of Wipers Times, BEF Times in one book I have a birthday coming up so I've asked for this new reprint Old Sweats will no doubt be very familiar with these but when I bought my old edition of The BEF Times recently it was the first I had read any of these newspapers printed in very difficult conditions - so maybe other newbies will now read and appreciate these gems They are amazing. So funny, poignant, interesting, illuminating and poking fun at everything to do with life in the trenches. I've laughed and cried over the snippets There is more about the Wipers Times in this thread: Here but I haven't seen anyone mention it here in Book Reviews so thought I would, so now I have Caryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papineau Posted 9 February , 2006 Share Posted 9 February , 2006 I have seen this book being sold cheaply in 'Sussex Stationers' in the SE of England. I thought it was an older reprint, but it is identical to the ones I have also seen in Ottakers and Waterstones, just cheaper! Excellent book and well worth having. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gporta Posted 9 February , 2006 Share Posted 9 February , 2006 I have the Papermac (MacMillan) facsimile printed in 1988. A much recommended read. Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaymen Posted 10 February , 2006 Share Posted 10 February , 2006 Notice Amazon have it for sale for 13.20p - seems very reasonable. Don't forget to use the amazon link so the gaffer gets a few bob. Glyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 19 August , 2006 Share Posted 19 August , 2006 i just came across this book at Amazon. what are the views of forum members re this new publication? Is it worth the £13 or so + postage? Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Clay Posted 19 August , 2006 Share Posted 19 August , 2006 Is it worth the £13 or so + postage? Robbie Yes. Trust the recommendations above - and enjoy. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 19 August , 2006 Share Posted 19 August , 2006 One of the best £13s you will have ever spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 The quality of the material is superb. Very funny but also very poignant: 'Things We Want to Know. 1. - Who discovered the salient. 2. - Why.' It reminds me so much of my Grandfather's WW1 humour. I have to say that the style may not be to everyone's taste. It is certainly not a book to buy if you want to understand what life was like in reality, though there are lots of glimpses. For me, the most interesting aspect of the recent edition is the information about authors, particularly about Roberts, whose note: "To John Bilham, in memory of good days, from the Editor FJ Roberts" is said to indicate that: 'Roberts was making a gesture of pride and protest: pride in what had been achieved in the war, protest against the way that the efforts of his generation were now being diminished and downgraded. I think this was Robert's last word, and explains his later, total withdrawal from the literary scene.' Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 i just came across this book at Amazon. what are the views of forum members re this new publication? Is it worth the £13 or so + postage? Robbie Oh yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 I have the Papermac (MacMillan) facsimile printed in 1988. Likewise - and also, recently acquired but not yet read, "The Riddles of Wipers - An Appreciation of the Trench Journal 'The Wipers Times'" by John Ivelaw-Chapman (Pen & Sword 1997), with a Foreword by John Terraine. A companion for life for anyone who studies the Great War - the more you learn, the better you understand it. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 Oh! I'll have to look at it again. I glanced recently and put it back - it looked like a lot of 'in-jokes' that I'd probably not understand. I've got a Welsh Division 'annual' and its hard to understand some of the stuff in that. Another visit... Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 Likewise - and also, recently acquired but not yet read, "The Riddles of Wipers - An Appreciation of the Trench Journal 'The Wipers Times'" by John Ivelaw-Chapman (Pen & Sword 1997), with a Foreword by John Terraine. A companion for life for anyone who studies the Great War - the more you learn, the better you understand it. Mick hello mick, this book sounds very interesting. i have checked amazon, abebooks, tom morgan's books, and n+M press and can only find a couple at around £24. Where did you obtain your copy? Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 hello mick, this book sounds very interesting. i have checked amazon, abebooks, tom morgan's books, and n+M press and can only find a couple at around £24. Where did you obtain your copy? Robbie Hi Robbie, I got mine from a local second-hand bookseller for £8. I won't get round to reading it for a while, 'cos I've got 'German Anzacs' and 'Imperial Germany' to read first, so I'd be happy to lend it to you. PM me your postal address - it'll give me a chance to try out the new postal system. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 20 August , 2006 Share Posted 20 August , 2006 that's very kind of you Mick. I will order myself a copy in the next week or so. Thanks anyway. Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted 29 August , 2006 Share Posted 29 August , 2006 I bought this book on saturday, £20 in Waterstones, great for having a browse through and a little giggle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 3 September , 2006 Share Posted 3 September , 2006 Stephanie, You should have used the forum link to Amazon and earnt yourself a discount and the forum running costs a small cut. It is one of those volumes you can keep dipping in to but it does help to have some form of glossary. Try and borrow a copy of John Ivelaw-Chapman's book (see above) as it will help with some of the deciphering and context. The humour tells us much about the soldier and the territory. If you wan tto look at another trench gazette as a comparison, you could try and borrow (library?) a copy of the Fifth Gloucester Gazette reprint. It's a bit more serious but equally worthy and you will find poems and writings by Ivor Gurney and F W Harvey amongst the content. Gallipoli afficionados may want to search out "The Anzac Book" which is a collection of humour, writing, cartoons etc which Charles Bean had a hand in assembling and whose content is not wholly sources from Aussie troops - the 4th Northants make at least one appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harribobs Posted 8 September , 2006 Share Posted 8 September , 2006 and you can find the basics for about five 'blackadder goes forth' scripts in the first two editions!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poshtaff Posted 1 September , 2007 Share Posted 1 September , 2007 This is an excellent book, after reading some of the more harrowing descriptions of life in the trenches in other books it is a bit of light relief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 1 September , 2007 Share Posted 1 September , 2007 As someone has said, as you gain more knowledge, you will pick up more of the references. A must have book, I think. It will give you an insight into the humour and mind set of the men who held Ypres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 24 November , 2008 Share Posted 24 November , 2008 Hi, It's back, and in Stewart Millers in Newtownards for £5.99. That's a great price compared with the £25 jacket price. If anyone wants one, let me know. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tafski Posted 24 November , 2008 Share Posted 24 November , 2008 Hi, It's back, and in Stewart Millers in Newtownards for £5.99. That's a great price compared with the £25 jacket price. If anyone wants one, let me know. Cheers, Nigel Nigel bring one in march cheers matey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 24 November , 2008 Share Posted 24 November , 2008 Nigel bring one in march cheers matey No problem mucker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Thompson Posted 13 December , 2008 Share Posted 13 December , 2008 Hi there Nigel, If you still have room in your back pack,could I have one as well please. Cheers Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 17 December , 2008 Share Posted 17 December , 2008 No problem Roger. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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