The Old Front Line - John Masefield

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Résumé :
This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This book forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. So that the book is never forgotten we have re-typed, re-formatted, and re-published the book in a very modern format. Hence every reader would get a new book but without losing its old charm and feel. We at Alpha Editions, work towards the restoration of old and rare books so that they are never forgotten and are always available for the future generations.

Biographie:
John Edward Masefield OM (1 June 1878 - 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer, and the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until 1967. Among his best known works are the children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, and the poems The Everlasting Mercy and Sea-Fever.
Masefield was born in Ledbury in Herefordshire, to George Masefield, a solicitor, and his wife Caroline. His mother died giving birth to his sister when Masefield was six and he went to live with his aunt. His father died soon afterwards, following a mental breakdown.[1] After an unhappy education at the King's School in Warwick (now known as Warwick School), where he was a boarder between 1888 and 1891, he left to board HMS Conway, both to train for a life at sea and to break his addiction to reading, of which his aunt thought little. He spent several years aboard this ship, and found that he could spend much of his time reading and writing. It was aboard the Conway that Masefield's love of story-telling grew. While he was on the ship he listened to the stories told about sea lore, continued to read, and decided that he was to become a writer and story-teller himself.
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
From Sea-Fever, in Salt-Water Ballads (1902)[2]
In 1894 Masefield boarded the Gilcruix, destined for Chile. This first voyage brought him the experience of sea sickness, but his record of his experiences while sailing through extreme weather shows his delight in seeing flying fish, porpoises and birds. He was awed by the beauty of nature, including a rare sighting of a nocturnal rainbow, on this voyage. On reaching Chile he suffered from sunstroke and was hospitalised. He eventually returned home to England as a passenger aboard a steamship.

Sommaire:
Uncover the visceral reality of World War I with The Old Front Line by John Masefield, a masterful exploration of the Western Front's harrowing trenches. This compelling battlefield memoir draws readers into the depths of early 20th century Europe, offering profound historical war insights and a meticulous military strategy analysis. Masefield's vivid recounting of trench warfare experiences provides an unparalleled look at the complexities of the world war battlefield, making it an essential read for history enthusiasts and military history readers alike. Originally out of print for decades, this significant work is now republished by Alpha Editions, restored for today's and future generations. More than just a reprint, this edition is a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Masefield's narrative not only complements the works of Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves but also stands as a testament to the enduring impact of personal accounts from the front lines. Whether you're a casual reader or a classic-literature collector, The Old Front Line offers a poignant and insightful journey through one of history's most tumultuous periods. Its literary and historical significance is undeniable, providing a window into the past that resonates with the present. This heritage title has been carefully prepared to preserve the spirit of the original while ensuring it is effortless to enjoy today....