Robert Baden-Powell (1857–1941)

Enlightening and entertaining anthology of excerpts from the writings of Robert Baden-Powell. Playing the Game is arranged in roughly chronological order, and is divided between autobiographical anecdotes and the story (and theory) of scouting. The excerpts are interleaved with inspirational quotes, which would make an excellent book on their own. While this book is a treasure trove for the reader, its organisation can sometimes seem haphazard. As with all compendiums of this sort, there is a degree of repetition; this is particularly apparent in the final part of the book dealing with Baden-Powell's work for world peace. Despite this, Playing the Game is a welcome overview of and introduction to the writings of an extraordinary man, and liberally illustrated with B-P's own drawings.… (more)

This is a small book, almost a pamphlet, was written for men in Britain joining in the Great War. This is by no means a soldier's manual, but a book for those joining up and something to ease the anxiousness of joining the military. I remember getting a similar book in the 1980s when I joined the Marines. What is really striking about the book is how wrong it could be for World War I. Baden-Powell (of Boy Scout fame) based much of the information from the Boer War. There is still talk of calvary attacks and small protected trenches-- C and S trenches. Called "Common Sense" trenches they were named after the shape trenches. Little did Baden-Powell know just how extensive the trench system would become in the war and it had little to do with common sense. There is some good personal advice in the book particularly about hygiene and confidence.

As a historical document, Quick Training for War demonstrates how ill-prepared in scope and scale the nations of Europe were for the war that developed. Wars never go as planned, but World War I proved to be a war that no one's plans were executed as expected, and that, in itself, created a huge tragedy.

No star rating because it is a historical document.… (more)