Old Contemptibles : The British Expeditionary Force, 1914
Author(s): Robin Neillands
SECONDHAND BOOKS | MILITARY HISTORY
The British entered World War I convinced of victory. As tradition has it, most even predicted an end to hostilities by Christmas. For the British Expeditionary Force, which was expected to prevail easily and was instead obliterated by 1915, this proved a costly assumption. In his robust re-examination of the onset of war, Robin Neillands reviews the exploits and character of the BEF, revealing how it came to be both the focus of hasty British hopes and, in the tragedy of its defeat, the catalyst for a policy shift without which the war would surely have been lost. Affectionately known as
2004, First edition, first printing. A fine, unmarked copy in a fine, unclipped d/w.
Product Information
'The Old Contemptibles have faded into history ... but on this 90th anniversary Neillands has given us a worthy tribute to their sacrifice' -- The Sunday Times 'Detailed, yet easily readable, the book stands as a tribute to the bravery of an army that never really had a chance' -- History 'Neillands has given us a worthy tribute to their sacrifice' -- Sunday Times 'The book stands as a tribute to the bravery of an army that never really had a chance' -- History 'Tells the story of the BEF's first weeks of war neatly, cirsply and clearly' -- Literary Review 'Informed and explicit, this is military history at its best' -- Western Daily Press 20040731 'Brings to life the horrific experiences of ... the British Expeditionary Force of 1914' -- Soldier Magazine 20040731
Robin Neillands has written several acclaimed books on the Second World War, including D-Day 1944, The Conquest of the Reich and The Desert Rats, and also on post-war campaigns in the British Empire. His most recent book is Eighth Army.
General Fields
- :
- : John Murray
- : John Murray
- : 0.739
- : 01 August 2004
- : 243mm X 161mm X 36mm
- : United Kingdom
- : books
Special Fields
- : 16 illustrations, maps
- : 384
- : 940.41241
- : Hardback
- : Robin Neillands