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The ANZAC Book
Written and illustrated in the trenches, this updated edition offers a rare insight into the experience of Australian soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I. First created in 1916, this collection of illustrations, stories, cartoons, and poems highlights both the soldiers’ bravery and sense of humor during a time of extreme hardship. This updated edition includes material originally rejected for the first publication and a new foreword.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2010
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May 17, 2010
‘The Anzac Book is first of all the child of adversity.’
The Anzac Book was created by soldiers at Gallipoli: soldiers who were under enemy fire and surviving in extreme hardship. As originally conceived, The Anzac Book was intended as a Christmas and New Year diversion for soldiers who were facing a harsh winter on the frontline after 7 months at Gallipoli in 1915.
When Charles Bean, the official war correspondent, called for contributions, he received over 150. The book contains a unique insight of aspects of life at Gallipoli: illustrations; cartoons; stories and poems. Written and drawn in very difficult circumstances using whatever materials were to hand. On 8 December 1915, as Bean was still working on the project he heard that a decision had been made to evacuate the peninsula. The Anzac Book, intended as a past time, became a souvenir.
‘Whatever the inspiration, Gallipoli produced a rich literature that is out of all proportion to the campaign’s place in the chronicle of the Great War.’
This is the third edition of The Anzac Book. The first edition was a bestseller when produced in 1916 (I remember seeing a copy fifty years later in my childhood home) and the second was produced in 1975. This edition includes a reproduction of the first edition as well as some material originally rejected by Charles Bean but preserved in collections at the Australian War Memorial.
Ninety five years later, there are no longer any living survivors of this campaign. This book serves as a connection to Gallipoli: both for those of us who knew survivors as parents or grandparents, but also for those who know of the history but have never met any of the people who were there in 1915.
It is part of our history.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The Anzac Book was created by soldiers at Gallipoli: soldiers who were under enemy fire and surviving in extreme hardship. As originally conceived, The Anzac Book was intended as a Christmas and New Year diversion for soldiers who were facing a harsh winter on the frontline after 7 months at Gallipoli in 1915.
When Charles Bean, the official war correspondent, called for contributions, he received over 150. The book contains a unique insight of aspects of life at Gallipoli: illustrations; cartoons; stories and poems. Written and drawn in very difficult circumstances using whatever materials were to hand. On 8 December 1915, as Bean was still working on the project he heard that a decision had been made to evacuate the peninsula. The Anzac Book, intended as a past time, became a souvenir.
‘Whatever the inspiration, Gallipoli produced a rich literature that is out of all proportion to the campaign’s place in the chronicle of the Great War.’
This is the third edition of The Anzac Book. The first edition was a bestseller when produced in 1916 (I remember seeing a copy fifty years later in my childhood home) and the second was produced in 1975. This edition includes a reproduction of the first edition as well as some material originally rejected by Charles Bean but preserved in collections at the Australian War Memorial.
Ninety five years later, there are no longer any living survivors of this campaign. This book serves as a connection to Gallipoli: both for those of us who knew survivors as parents or grandparents, but also for those who know of the history but have never met any of the people who were there in 1915.
It is part of our history.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review