Seventy-One Years Of A Guardsman's Life [Illustrated Edition]

by General Sir George Wentworth Alexander Higginson GCB GCVO

2014 · Normanby Press

[Illustrated with over two hundred and sixty maps, photos and portraits, of the battles, individuals and places involved in the Crimean War] At a regimental gathering following Sir George Higginson's funeral one officer remarked to another that no-one could remember the regiment without Sir George present. It is hardly surprising as General Sir George Wentworth Alexander Higginson GCB, GCVO had lived for 101 years, the longest of any British General, and as the title of his autobiography indicates the majority of those years in the Grenadier Guards. General Higginson's life seemed to be in fact two lives; the first in active service with the British army, he would see action in many parts of the world. He would achieve great fame as a hero of the Crimean War and his reminiscences of which forms the greater part of this volume. The Author travelled out to the Crimea as adjutant of the 3rd Battalion; and fought at the battles at Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman at which he was greatly distinguished. His details of the siege and fall of Sebastopol are among the best that survive. He details in full the filthy unsanitary conditions, inept command, and cholera that the British soldiers had to endure, not to mention the shot and shell of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers. Following his military retirement in 1893 at the ripe age of 67 and then embarked on career as advisor to Queen Victoria, travelling dignitary as far afield as America and Russia and figurehead of the regime. A renowned and statesmanlike figure he died in 1927 mourned by all who knew him. A fascinating autobiography.

Forty Years of 'Spy'

by Leslie Sir Ward

2021 · Good Press

In "Forty Years of 'Spy'," Leslie Sir Ward masterfully chronicles the evolution of one of the most iconic satirical publications in British history. With a keen eye for detail and an elegant prose style, Ward delves into the rich tapestry of social and political landscapes that have shaped the magazine since its inception. His work employs a combination of historical analysis and literary critique, illuminating the interplay between art and societal commentary, while also reflecting the changing aesthetics of illustration and satire throughout the decades. The book is beautifully illustrated, featuring numerous original artworks, effectively highlighting the visual zeitgeist of the times. Leslie Sir Ward, an esteemed cultural historian and journalist, draws upon his extensive experience in the field of satire and commentary to shed light on the profound impact that "Spy" has had on both British popular culture and the art of caricature. His deep understanding of the historical context surrounding the magazine's founding in 1855 informs every page, revealing insights into the influential artists and writers who both shaped and were influenced by the publication. This book is highly recommended for scholars of journalism, art, and social history, as well as anyone with a passion for British culture. Ward's engaging narrative transports the reader through nearly half a century of societal shifts, marked by humor and wit, making it an essential addition to the libraries of those who appreciate the intersection of art and politics.

The Autobiography of Sir Patrick Hastings

by Sir Patrick Hastings

2020 · Barakaldo Books

This may well be the most-read, best-loved book that any of our great advocates has given us....Why? Because Sir Patrick Hastings brings the human touch into the constellation. Not only human, he is amusing and he is in touch with real life. "I have the honour to present to you Mr. Patrick Hastings!" Thus the Reader of the Middle Temple "called him". Perhaps this legal functionary did not realise what it had meant to young Hastings to scrape together the necessary £100....Years of nightly theatrical journalism at 30s a week with an odd article here and there.... And before that there had been his boyhood in a family in which "bankruptcy was more of a habit than a misfortune", but which had nevertheless been able to send him to Charterhouse-for a time. Afterwards there was the precarious travelling with his mother on the Continent. Then his adventures as a trooper in the South African war... From these chapters one realises the difficulties to be overcome by a young barrister without money or influence. But with foresight, pluck and luck he did it. The cases began to come in—the Douglas-Pennant case, the "Bob" Sievier case, and then the famous murder cases—Mrs. Barney, Vaquier, the case of the Polish officer, and the drama of betrayal known as the case of the Hooded Man. Here also is his political story. He was Attorney General when the celebrated Campbell case made political history. Not less fascinating is the record of his successes and failures on the capricious London stage. His story is packed with all the good things he himself has found in life— a happy marriage, good friends, the excitement of achievement.