World History

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts) Fri Aug 1, 2014, 02:56 PM Aug 2014

Siegfried Sassoon's WWI diaries published online

BBC News
31 July 2014
Siegfried Sassoon's war diaries published online

The diaries of war poet Siegfried Sassoon are being published online for the first time.

The archive of 23 journals and two notebooks of poetry has been digitised by the Cambridge University Library, which bought the collection in 2009.

Until now only Sassoon's official biographer - Max Egremont - has had access to the complete 4,100-page archive due to its fragile state.

Librarian Anne Jarvis said the war diaries were of "towering importance"....

Much MORE at http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28581726

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Siegfried Sassoon's WWI diaries published online (Original Post) theHandpuppet Aug 2014 OP

I've been thinking of this poem a lot recently: petronius Aug 2014 #1

Some of which are still encrusted with the mud of the trenches. Byronic Aug 2014 #2

One of my heroes as well. nt thucythucy Mar 2018 #3

Thanks for this link. nt thucythucy Mar 2018 #4

Suicide in the Trenches was always the one that gave me chills Abu Pepe Apr 2018 #5

petronius

(26,602 posts)

1. I've been thinking of this poem a lot recently:

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Fri Aug 1, 2014, 02:59 PM

Aug 2014

At the Cenotaph

I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff,
Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph:
Unostentatious and respectful, there
He stood, and offered up the following prayer.
“Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial
Means; their discredited ideas revive;
Breed new belief that War is purgatorial
Proof of the pride and power of being alive;
Men’s biologic urge to readjust
The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase;
Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust;
And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace.”
The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph
Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh.

Byronic

(504 posts)

2. Some of which are still encrusted with the mud of the trenches.

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Mon Aug 4, 2014, 03:48 AM

Aug 2014

Siegfried Sassoon was a great man. He fought valiantly in the war (with almost insane bravery) and was admired by his men, and then fought against the war, with great dignity.

He convinced the great war poet Wilfred Owen to actually start writing about the war, mentored him, and urged him not to return to France - even claiming that he would 'stab Owen in the leg' to stop him going.

Siegfried 'Mad Jack' Sassoon was a giant.