William Woodruff (1916–2008)

A book I enjoyed from beginning to end. This documents an almost-forgotten time in British history when thousands of people lived in third world conditions. I found it an especially revealing read amid the poverty of South America.

Fascinating account of coming of age in a mill town of northern England during the early twenties. Sad and heartbreaking in parts - but sprinkled with humor as well. They were tough people alright. Not sure many of us could have endured the hunger and hardships that were part of their daily life.

I read this novel because I'd read the author's two volumes of autobiography: the superb Road to Nab End and the very good Beyond Nab End. I did not enjoy Shadows of Glory nearly so much as these, but am glad that I persevered with it because the latter part of the book, which relates the men's wartime experiences, is certainly much more engaging than the beginning and leaves the reader with a lot to think about. As the author is relating the story of the members of a rowing crew - nine men show more plus their partners - he has a lot of characters to deal with and I felt that the book did not clearly bring out their personalities and so did not delineate them at all well. I struggled for much of the book to distinguish one from the other in my mind, something which impaired my enjoyment a good deal. This book would certainly appeal to those who enjoy wartime novels and those with religious questions as to the meaning of life in the face of human tragedy. Clearly this was a matter that engaged the author in his own life. He raises these questions and leaves it to the reader to think for themself. I look forward to reading Woodruff's other novel based on his experience of war, Vessel of Sadness, which is highly rated. show less

Through well crafted understatement, exposes the non-glorious muddle, suffering, emptiness, irony and inhumanity of the reality of war by a witness to the Anzio horror.