Sir John Keegan: Farewell and thanks

I have been mulling over the possibility of writing a series of blog posts under the general heading of 'Books Wot I Read and Remember', in fact, I might yet do so - you have been warned!  Amongst them would certainly be John Keegan's The Face of Battle.  I have just taken my copy down from my bookshelf and am somewhat shocked to see that it was published as long ago as 1976 - where did the time go?  Anyway, alas and alack, Sir John Keegan has just died and so we have lost one of the very best writers of military history for the non-specialist.  That particular book, his first, I think, looked at war in different ages from the bottom up.  Rather than concentrate on the high and mighty manouvres of the generals, he told us what it was like for the archer at Agincourt, the infantryman at Waterloo and the 'Tommy' at the Somme.  But he was far, far, more than just a mere raconteur, he analysed closely the physics and mathematics of warfare and how they impinged on the men 'up the sharp end'.

He went on to write other books on military history in his pelucidly clear writing style so that matters of great moment and complexity were teased out into easily understood explanations.  I must read some more of him because according to his Wiki entry he took a swipe at the 'God of Warfare', Karl von Clausewitz, which angered his fellow historians.  I always enjoy a contrary view so I must look that up.  Anyway, what's not to like and admire about a man who wrote this:

I don't look to find an educated person in the ranks of university graduates, necessarily. Some of the most educated people I know have never been near a university.

Quite so, quite so, couldn't have put it better myself!  Anyway, I for one am very grateful for the life and works of John Keegan which have give me not just historical information but also historical insights.

ADDITIONAL:  Since writing the above I have come across this paper by Christopher Bassford suitably entitled "A Polemic" in which, I gather from a  brief glance, is a defence of Clausewitz and a fairly vigorous defence, too!  Goody-goody, nothing like a really vicious, academic punch-up, beats the Olympics every time! 

 

Comments

[Whyaxye]

I hadn't heard that Keegan had gone. I really enjoyed "The Face of Battle", which I read a couple of years ago after seeing it praised to the skies on a blog somewhere - might even have been this one!

I like the bit about academics and education. I gave my copy of "The Face of Battle" to my son, who is reading History at Cambridge. The ignorant puppy didn't rate it all that highly, but I think he did it deliberately so as to put me in my place as a mere amateur reader of popular history.

[Whyaxye]

DD, the latest comment above seems to be from an old friend of yours! Let's hope that he continues to support you through your, erm, imfirmities. He helps you to get things straight, doesn't he? I know that Mrs. Duff appreciates his efforts.

[David Duff]

Tell you son that he will never truly understand military history and warfare unless he understands how it operates on the ground. And without that he will simply become another university-educated theorist! Five years with a good regiment should get him sorted!

Suddenly I am inundated with spam despite that indecipherable CAPTCHA crap which always takes me three goes to get right. Also, rather oddly, the viagra ones just received are not appearing in my 'Inbox'!

[JK]

I'm not sure David, your spam problem, but during my "vacation" I found myself in an email conversation with a Nigerian Prince. Seemed I'd been selected by the Nigerian Royal Family for a stipend when what I really wanted was diplomatic immunity.

(I'd figured the immunity would be handy when I came under "comment fire" on the foreign blogs I visit.)

Anyway, the Prince asked which of the blogs I spent the most time on. Apologies in advance should it come to your attention the spam you're receiving turns out to come from Africa.

[David Duff]

Thanks, JK, but that is one link I definitely do not want!