DOUGLAS HAIG. WAR DIARIES AND LETTERS 1914-1918

These diaries are the handwritten version (Ms) as opposed to the later typed up version (Ts) used by the late Lord Blake in the 1952 publication.

Just over fifty years ago (1952)The Private Papers of Douglas Haig 1914-1919 were published in book form, edited by the late Lord Blake. In the front of my copy is an extract from The Times of June 1961 in the form of a tribute by Cyril Falls on the occasion of the centenary of Earl Haig’s birth (19 June 1861). It is headed "Haig Stands Out as a Great Captain” and closes with the words: "His glory is sure to be acknowledged by the vast majority soon, and then live. May this June day be a beacon beside the path.” That must have been one of the last tributes to the late C in C published by any branch of the media, and that final, optimistic sentiment is still awaiting fulfillment. The hostile reaction today in the popular Press and elsewhere to the mention of the name ‘Haig’ is truly pavlovian. Given the fifty years that have elapsed since the publication of Blake’s edition, and given the importance of the diaries of the man who, for three years commanded the greatest army Britain has ever put in the field and led it to victory, a new edition which takes account of recent research is welcome. There are two versions of the diary in existence: one was handwritten at the time (Ms diary) the other was typed up after the war (Ts diary). In this edition the Ms version has been used, in the Blake edition it was the Ts. The editors have endeavoured to provide an accurate and balanced selection of Haig’s writings, and if the reader sets aside any pre-conceived notions or prejudices he will surely come away with a fairer and more balanced judgement of a man who for three years carried the greatest weight of responsibility of any British commander in the field.

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Product Code:	8961
Author:	Edited by Gary Sheffield and John Bourne
ISBN:	0 297 84702 3
Format:	2005. HB. x + 550pp with 23 b/w photos Published Price £25
Shipping Time:	This item is usually dispatched Next Day
Retail Price:	~~£25.00~~
Our Price:	£7.95 save 68%