A. P. Wavell (1883–1950)

I'm not sure I share Wavell's old-fashioned taste for gung-ho rumpety tumpety verse (lots of Kipling and Chesterton and many lesser versifiers), and definitely not his taste for battle (he was, after all, a General), but there is something quaintly potty and very English in the idea of a battle-scarred general remembering and quoting huge chunks of verse with such relish. He diffidently offers his own rather delightful "Madonna of the Cherries" at the very end.
Among other favourites here show more are: "Tom o' Bedlam's Song", Stephen Hawes' "O mortal folk you may behold and see", Belloc's "Courtesy", and Ralph Hodgson's 'Twould ring the bells of heaven", whchj goes well with Blake's "Auguries of Innocence". show less

A study of the campaigns in the Middle East during World War I, specifically, the "Western Desert" (against the Senussi), the defence of the Suez Canal, Sinai campaigns, Palestine campaigns, and Syrian campaigns, with references to the Arab Revolt. I found the book to be surprisingly engaging and well-written, and it's quite informative. Wavell did have a literary bent (he famously edited a poetry anthology), and it shows in this book. Warmly recommended, even if you're not keen on military show more history. show less

Wavell was a middling general --he could beat Italians but not Rommel -- but a great judge of poetry. Naturally the "good fighting" selections are excellent, but so are many non-fighting bits, such as an anecdote of a friend quoting "Ye Meaner Beauties of the Night" to a London prostitute.

A superb eclectic blend of poetry chosen by one of the Black Watch regiment's most illustrious soldiers, Sir Archibald Wavell. He could recite any one of them by memory and noted that many of the verses served to carry him through some of the most terrible stretches of both World Wars. A gentleman, a scholar and a loving father, Wavell was a throwback to the warrior-bard of the Highland tradition. Dileas.