Dunkirk: The Men They Left Behind

Product Details

Author : Sean Longden
Binding : Hardcover
EAN : 9781845295202
Number of Pages : 480
Product Group : Book
Publication Date : 2008-05-29
Publisher : Constable

ASIN : 184529520X

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Customer Reviews

good read but with errors (2008-09-23)

This book was a very good read and I would recommend reading it to anyone interested in WWII history. A little known aspect of the conflict was brought to life here. The personal testimonies were very good and the "where are they now" section at the end of the book was a nice touch.Unfortunately there were errors such as spelling, some details and I think judgements were made which I am not sure were completely valid. However, for me the most glaring error was the complete omission of any mention of Sgt Maj Charles Coward "the Count of Auschwitz" who was captured in 1940 near Calais. While a POW he rescued Jews from Auschwitz concentration camp and after the war testified at the Nuremburg war crimes trials.

mixed thoughts! (2008-09-21)

I really enjoyed reading this book it shows an angle to Dunkirk and POW's that is not often told.My one concern is the number of spelling mistakes and typing errors. I don't think I have ever noticed typing errors in a book before but I noticed dozens here.Also some of the distances quoted are wrong. On page 204 I quote "the French attempted to form two defensive lines, the first in an arc 100 miles (thirty kilometres) away."Well 100 miles = 160 km? And 30 km = 18 miles? so which one is correct. You expect figures to be accurate in an history book!Anyway apart from being littered with errors I still managed to really enjoy this book and would recommend it and hope the errors get fixed for any future releases.

Deeply depressing demonstration of the German mentality (2008-07-14)

I found this book very difficult to read and very difficult to put down. The relentlessly brutal treatment of the British troops taken prisoner stood in stark contrast to the favouritism shown to the French and Belgians. The five miserable years of captivity endured by our men was in direct contrast to the treatment given to German and Italian prisoners.We had at first Italian prisoners in our villages in Mid Sussex at Ardingly, West Hoathly and Brook House(Highbrook). At Ardingly there was one WW1 Corporal in charge. If he was armed, we didnt see any evidence of it.In 1941 he started selling the tinned fruit from the camp stores at 2/6 a tin. We couldnt dream of such luxuries. The Italians and later the Germans worked on the farms, played football, and played the organ at the Parish Church. My uncle Bernard was confined in Italy and later in Staalag 8b at Lamsdorf. He suffered very badly from the poor diet and died in his 50's in the 1960's from stomach ulcers and very bad eye problems.You cant help wondering about the Germans. Now of course they wont fight at all !!Chris Comber

Read this book, you won't regret it! (2008-06-29)

My mum bought me this for my birthday. I read it in two long days! My Grandfather was captured at Calais (one of The Rifle Brigade). He wouldn't talk too much about it, only opening up a little towards the end of his life. He would talk for a while, then change the subject. He was very bitter about not being rescued like those at Dunkirk. I used to say to him, 'Had you been rescued, you might not have been here today, as you could have died elsewhere'. He felt let down by the government and therefore had no desire to try and escape. Until I read this book, I had little understanding of what he and others went through. I was not aware of the continued fighting and other rescues after Dunkirk, despite having read a lot about the War. Perhaps it was a shame it wasn't written earlier. I might have asked my Grandfather more before it was too late.

A great account of an often ignored subject (2008-06-20)

A grim and often horrific account of the men of the British Expeditionary Force that were left behind in France after the Dunkirk evacuation. The author describes the experiences of these men using a wide array of sources, including eye-witness accounts that pull no punches.A very readable and fascinating book, although perhaps the editing could have been a little tighter, as the author sometimes repeats himself, and there are a fair number of errors in the text, though these are purely cosmetic.Highly recommended.

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