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It hardly seems fair to place a man in hell and then to punish him when he shows fear. Yet this was standard procedure in the British army in World War I, when execution by firing squad was punishment for desertion in the face of the enemy and other crimes. Using recently released courts-martial records, clinical scientist Corns and retired British army intelligence Colonel Hughes-Wilson attempt to explain Britain's use of the ultimate punishment in terms of the military, medical, and social mind-sets of the time. The book begins and ends well, with essential background at the front and ruminative discussion at the back. In between, however, is a tedious bog. Here, the authors summarize case after miserable case, each reported in exactly the same numbing, repetitive fashion. The authors do not chronicle all 346 British military executions that took place at that time; it just feels as if they do. Words like heart-rending and poignant are sometimes used, but such emotions rarely emerge from the page. There's no flesh on these old bones, and, though it is clear that the authors themselves see the men who were shot as individuals, for us they remain only names. Nevertheless, this is a unique, important work and a valuable resource; recommended for both larger public and academic libraries. Michael F. Russo, Louisiana State Univ. Libs., Baton Rouge
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR004060226
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780304364497
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006007998
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Three hundred and fifty-one men were executed by British Army firing squads between September 1914 and November 1920. By far the greatest number, 266 were shot for desertion in the face of the enemy. The executions continue to haunt the history of the war, with talk today of shell shock and posthumous pardons. Using new material released from the Public Records Office and other sources, the authors reveal what really happened and place the story of these executions firmly in the context of the military, social and medical context of the period. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001182600
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1710939093. 3/20/2024 12:51:33 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780304364497
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780304364497
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. First Thus. A paperback book in near fine condition, dated 2002. British military executions in the Great War. Seller Inventory # 053800
Book Description First Edition. Very good paperback copy; edges slightly dust-dulled and nicked. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, and clean. Physical description: 543 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps ; 22 cm. Subjects: World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. Military deserters Great Britain. Capital punishment Great Britain History 20th century. Executions and executioners Great Britain History 20th century. Genre: History. Language: English. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 368355
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First Edition. Copy in illustrated card wraps. Spine lightly creased. Free of inscriptions. Clean text with b/w plates and illustrations. Seller Inventory # 032096
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: Very Good+. 543 pp, large 8vo (9 1/8" H). B&w photographs, maps, reproductions. "Few things about the First World War evoke quite so much anger as the soldiers who were shot at dawn. Between 1914 and 1920, the British Army executed 346 of its soldiers for a a variety of offences, including 266 for desertion, but only 18 for cowardice; murderers and mutineers made up the balance. (This) is an important book, the first to make use of court martial records. Corns and Hughes -Wilson bring a welcome sense of perspective to the subject." Gary Sheffield, The Mail on Sunday. Interior - clean and tight with no previous ownership marks. Exterior - very minor rubbing, one tiny corner crease. Seller Inventory # 29082