This powerful, poetic memoir tells the story of one man’s coming-of-age during World War II. Laurie Lee was only 18 when he was drafted into the British army to fight in Europe. In a single moment on the battlefield, everything changed for him. Wrenchingly honest and beautifully written, A Moment of War captures all the fear, confusion, violence, and humor of warāand is a timeless testimonial to the enduring power of love.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in biographies and memoirs.
Pros :
- The author tells a beautifully written story of his coming-of-age during World War II.
- The book captures all the fear, confusion, violence, and humor of war.
- [book] is a timeless testimonial to the enduring power of love
Cons :
- The author could have been more specific about what exactly happened during the war.
- The text could be improved with more concrete images.
- Some readers may find the language poetic but dense
Learn more about the author
Laurie Lee was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England on May 3, 1914. He grew up in a poor family and left school at the age of thirteen to help support his parents. In 1933 he met Catherine Graves whom he married two years later. Lee served with the Royal Corps of Signals during World War II from 1939 until 1945 when he was discharged as a sergeant-major . On D-Day (June 6th 1944), while serving near Bayeux, Normandy, France with the British Second Army Signal Regiment C Company 9 Platoon A Echelon wireless set No2 Section Lee picked up an infantryman’s emergency call for help over his headset.. After being shelled by friendly artillery and suffering grenade wounds that resulted in him losing his right eye and damaging hearing in one ear he nevertheless managed to carry on transmitting despite having lost contact with his platoon commanders who would have given him orders; this action won him a Military Medal (MM). For these actions Laurie Lee is sometimes incorrectly credited as being among the first wave of Allied troops to storm ashore on Omaha Beach during Operation Overlord In 1978 A Moment Of War was published which tells of life before & after being drafted into war at 18, and of his time as a signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals.
Reader Reviews
“Laurie Lee’s potent memoir of his coming-of-age during World War II is an unforgettable story, beautifully written. The author brings alive the fear, confusion, violence and humor of that time with visceral immediacy; his descriptions are so powerful that I felt as if I were right there on the battlefield with him. This book is a timeless testimonial to the enduring power of love.”
“This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the experience of war. Laurie Lee’s poetic, honest voice brings the reader directly onto the battlefield and into his most intimate thoughts and feelings.”
“A Moment of War is a beautifully written and powerful account of Laurie Lee’s experience as a young British soldier fighting in World War II. Raw, honest, and full of humor, this book provides a unique perspective on the horrors and absurdity of war.”
“A Moment of War”
