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Post by anthony on Dec 3, 2013 1:29:49 GMT
The Telegraph recently had a review on the new VC and GC book. See www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10483959/The-Victoria-Cross-and-the-George-Cross-The-Complete-History-review.html The Telegraph article really had no more information that had been previously available and I would be interested in the views of anyone who has seen the volumes. The title reminds me of Kevin Brazier’s work. I suspect the strength of the book may be its biographical information. One question is how many VCs – the correct number is 1357 not 1361. As to how many GC awards, that is anyone’s guess since there is no authorised official list of AM and EM exchange awards in which the recipient retained their original insignia. |
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Post by David Cochrane on Dec 4, 2013 13:55:20 GMT
Given the length of the book as described in the review I'd imagine there's quite a bit of biographical/background information in there - this would be welcome, given that most other books don't provide very much beyond the basic place/date of birth, etc. Hopefully they provided more detailed information on locations & units of service too, as these fields are often not very detailed, especially during the colonial wars of the late 1800s.
Whether or not the recent NZ & Australian awards are included comes down, I suppose, to the question of the completist vs the purist, and I don't really mind their inclusion here.
The number I imagine you did like to see was 323 for the number of posthumous awards, which means that they used the simple criterion that you & I prefer.
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Post by anthony on Dec 4, 2013 21:50:43 GMT
I'd imagine there's quite a bit of biographical/background information in there - this would be welcome. I have read the biographical/background on one of the VC recipients and was most impressed. Whether or not the recent NZ & Australian awards are included ... I don't really mind their inclusion here. I agree. My concern is not the inclusion but how they are displayed. If there are included as an appendix or footnote that would be appropriate. Where I would be disappointed would be if they were listed in chronological order without explanation. The number I imagine you did like to see was 323 for the number of posthumous awards, which means that they used the simple criterion that you & I prefer. Agreed. |
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Post by David Cochrane on Dec 4, 2013 22:08:02 GMT
Yes - if it's made clear that those four awards were of the NZ & Australian VC, that would be best. I assume the book does this.
You say you had a chance to look at some biographical details - where did you find them? I'm most curious about what the new books contain but haven't been able to see any such extracts yet.
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