The Irish Guards in the Great War 1st Battalion

by Rudyard Kipling

The Irish Guards in the Great The First Battalion

Genres: World War I, Military History, History

1 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Myra Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is impressive and masterfully written. It is difficult to read because of the sheer horror and pathos of WW1, not because of writing itself. Kipling's treatment of the nature, grit, cheerfulness, stalwart character , and determination of these men endeared the Irish people to me. In every page Kipling enlivens the stark facts of war with his clear and beautiful prose. On page 177, he writes, "the heroism that endures for a day or a week at high tension is a small thing beside that habit of mind which can hold fast to manner, justice, honour and a show of kindliness and toleration, in despite of physical misery and the slow passage of bleak and indistinguishable days." On page 152 he captures the horror: "Sometimes it was only a matter of hours before what had been a Brigade ceased to exist - had soaked horribly into the ground." In reading this book I understood better than ever how soldiers returning from war have great difficulty adjusting to civilian life. The maps in this book are works of art, almost like the old maps of the old explorers. The photos likewise capture the real thing. In the back of this book are 15 pages of names if men killed or missing. The two Battalions of the Irish Guards had 2,349 dead and 5,739,00 wounded. The 1st Battalion being 13 months longer in the field lost what the author calls," a generous half." (page290). Kipling's son died in the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards and I see this work as a tribute to John Kipling and his comrades.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1923. I think the version I read was much older than this one, but this one had the right number of pages.

Kipling's son was in the Irish Guards (and was killed), thus his interest. This account of the battalion's experience in World War I is almost day-by-day. Very detailed although not graphic. This battalion went to the field early in the war. Cumulatively, awe-inspiring! The battalion, in effect, suffered total destruction.

[Errol Cavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kipling wrote what is generally-considered to be the finest of regimental histories emanating from the Great War, as a result of his only son, John, having joined the Irish Guards and being killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915. It is a fine work of memorial, restrained in tone, evocative in style, and often brilliant, as one would expsect from so great a writer, in description. Kipling perhaps put more into this sorrowful task than into other of his endeavours, except for his enduring work for the Imperial War Graves Commission, the lasting-effect of which can be seen in every war cemetery.

[Monica]

Eric's reviews are so good I get away with not reading the book!

Ko, what do you make of this book?

[happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not often you get a writer of this caliber writing a Regimental history.

If you like Kipling - this is a must read.