Boyd Cable (1878–1943)

Between the lines deals with the period of the first year of World War I and was written ‘at the Front within sound of the German guns and for the most part within shell and rifle range’ (page 2). It comprises 14 inter-connected sections described by the author as ‘plain tales of the endurance and sufferings of the`Front’ (page i). Each tale is introduced by a quotation from official despatches or other similar sources, e.g. ‘On the Western Front there is nothing to report’ (page show more 39), ‘The attack has resulted in our line being advanced from one to two hundred yards along a front of over one thousand yards’ (page 59) and ‘The troops continue in excellent spirits’ (page 85). The tales describe in graphic detail the carnage and horrors of war and debunk the bland official newspaper messages and commentary conveyed to people back home.

The purpose of this cheaper edition, a complete reprint of its first publication in 1915, is to reach the ordinary man in the street, to raise awareness of what is going on, and to ‘spur the Home workers to their utmost efforts’, especially to address the shortage of munitions, the lack of which is a recurrent theme within the book.

I came across Between the lines at a bookshop on the Charing Cross Road, an ex-library copy withdrawn from the University of London. It bears the University’s bookplate and its blue binding with the embossed University of London stamp that protects the original striking and colourful cover design by Fred Leist. The torn rear cover includes reviews, one from the Spectator stating that ‘Boyd Cable’s book will enable many people to read the newspapers with new eyes’. As for usage, the issue label records just two return dates: 9 Jan 1937 and 28 Apr 1969. The label, however, is dated 11/35, presumably November 1935. One can assume there will have been much greater interest in earlier years, subject to the date of acquisition that is not evident within the book. show less