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It is rare that I read a book and have to change my day as I cannot put it down. This was one such read. The story is captivating, and written so well that it seemed to flow from page to page. The characters were beautifully portraid and the story wonderful. My only complaint is that I have a list of chores to complete now that we're neglected while I continued to read this lovely and compelling book. I read a lot, but this is one of the best books I have read for years.
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Great book and very poignant for remembering the World War I.
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I read on average a book every week. This book is the best I have read in months and just could not put it down!!
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Letters to Doberitz is a fantastic story and the fact that it's based on true events makes it that even more gripping. I only purchased this book a week ago and became glued to it within the first chapter! Recommend.
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This book is a great story of one families struggle and commitment to overcome adversity set against the horrors of the first world war.
I believe this book to be well written as once I started reading I could not put it down and the characters seem to become real people.
The descriptions of conditions in the trenches and prison camp as well as life back in Bristol bring the story to life.
I would recommend this book to anybody as a gripping true story set in the first world war
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Brilliant read. Once you pick it up you cant put it down. Looking forward to the next book coming out!
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I am not usually drawn to this type of genre because of the period it is set in. This is because I'm usually unable to picture the characters and see the scene in my head. I was able to do it with this book because of the way the writer describes the scenes, which evoked visions, smells and feelings which I could interpret for myself to make it more relatable to me.
This book has changed my opinions of books set in the past.
Great read, page turner and I was genuinely sad to finish the book.
I would recommend this book to all ages and both men and women. It conveys to us how people during the war sacrificed their life, in so many different aspects and not just on the front line. This is perfectly portrayed in this novel based on a true story.
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I picked-up this semi fictitious novel from a retrospective interest in WW1, which is said to be ”mother of all wars” From the new issues desk in Copenhagens best book store. My father served endless months in the standing Danish force although my country stayed neutral through the long War years. The special about this book is really you get to know the affects of war time to ordinary working-class people one Hundred years ago. A most unusual scenario. The saga of a grandfather in German POW and a great grandfather as A volunteer in the Royal Marines Infantry through 4 gruesome years at the front in France. You become part of this Bristol family of boot makers and share their fears and hopes through endless years.
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I read a lot of books and sometimes I pick a book up again and think "I can't remember what it was about" no chance with this book it was so good I couldn't put it down. I hope there is going to be a second book before too long.
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A friend bought this book for me for Christmas and I feared that it might be just another World War 1 potboiler. Not a bit of it. It is a well-crafted story woven seamlessly from the letters and family accounts passed down to the author and from his own obviously meticulous researches. A compulsive read that would, in the right hands, translate successfully to the screen.
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I was gifted this book for Christmas and I have to say, it's a rather unique and rewarding story. After getting through the first two chapters I couldn't put it back down. The truth behind this story is fantastic and the author has captured it all so well. It's very descriptive and the author has clearly done well in sharing this family treasure. Well worth a read.
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My partner was given the book as a Christmas present and after finishing the book past it to me saying it was special .I have just this morning finished the book and have to say I agree with her .I have studied history but this book bought the colour to my existing black and white facts.The book conveyed the hardships of the First World War, tempered with the incredible love and hope of the authors family
This is such a beautiful uplifting story that I would recommend to all
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I was literally unable to put this book down and read it from cover to cover in a couple of days. The author manages to paint such a vivid picture of the difficulties of life for both the soldiers fighting in WW1 and those left behind in towns and cities like Bristol whilst interweaving the incredible story of the power of a families love for each other. I usually read high paced fictional books where the author has spent a lot of time researching the background to the plot, in this case the author has combined historical research with the legacy of the letters his family kept to create a really great read. Highly Recommended.
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I loved this book - it made me smile, it made me cry and it made me think ! The reality of the suffering and sacrifices made during the dreadful conflict of World War 1 comes straight out of the pages of "Letters To Doberitz" as you follow the journey of one family. The lyrics of a song which the soldiers of that war used to sing to the tune of a well-known hymn came into my mind - "When this bloody war is over, No more soldiering for me. When I get my civvy clothes on, Oh how happy I will be !"
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I took this book on a trans Atlantic flight and it kept me engrossed throughout. Shortest flight I've ever done. It certainly gets the atmosphere of the period, and being pretty local it's nice to be able to get a feel of what it would have been like. It would have been nice to have an epilogue to let us know how they fared afterwards, but hopefully there'll be a follow up.
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I'm not a big book worm but once I got past the first few chapters I was engrossed. Derek has cleverly filled in the gaps between the key facts gathered from his ancestors to create a seamless account of the whole event, year after year. The book rightfully highlights the whole futility of the Great War; the human suffering and injustice that these young lads find themselves face to face with...there but for the grace of God! It's a book which makes you laugh and cry. I hope Derek writes more as he has certainly captured the moment for me in "Letters to Doberitz".
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A fascinating account of decent people living through horrendous circumstances. The writer expertly caprtures the feelings and changes brought about by the first world war. I enjoyed this book on different levels, the love stories, tales of day to day life, history, politics and determination of character to stay sane and build a brighter future.
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I was bought this book as a Christmas present by my daughter, she is fully aware of my thirst for military history and combined with local history it fitted the bill perfectly. I very much enjoyed reading about Derek's family and the trials and tribulations they encountered during the Great War, this conflict brought much hardship to many such families of Bristol and the surrounding areas and is captured in this his first book. It is easy to understand the love the parents had for each other and their son, and also the lengths they went to protect him from the events at home and in France.
I would really be interested to hear if there is a follow up to this story further depicting the history of this family in Bristol. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in local history and also anyone who has an interest in the First World War and its impact on the people of this country. (Phil Clarke)
Derek and I share a passion for our local football club and I would hope to meet up one day to discuss our shared interests of history and football.
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This is not a book I would have normally chosen to read, but once started I couldn't put it down.
It was enthralling throughout.
From the start it paints a vivid picture of life pre WW1 and a working family from Bristol - piquing your interest and drawing you in.
The book then goes on to describe life in the war for the various characters, capturing a true picture of what our brave soldiers
of WW1 faced, their roles, thoughts and hardships they endured both at home , in war zones and a foreign prison camp.
These graphic details come from letters from the actual members of the family this story is about.
This book is well worth a read.
would make an excellent film - capturing attention from beginning to end.
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I was in a local bookshop recently and picked up this book purely on a whim. What a find !
It offered a completely new perspective on the War era and, once I became familiar with the main characters, found it to be very easy to relate to the family and characters involved. The author wove an intriguing story into a very readable and accessible volume.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
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Very enjoyable read, story of a prisoner of war son and his father from Bristol during the first world war.
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Excellent book and story. Interesting, educational and really enjoyable. An extremely good real-life historical story with real characters who we can all associate with. Didn't want it to finish. What happened next, to Tom, Will etc. Highly recommend this book to readers interested in history or who enjoy a real-life story of real people.
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Letters To Doberitz by Derek R Payne is a powerful tale about the experiences of the author’s grandparents and great grandparents during World War I.
The author has captured life at home, on the battlefields and in Doberitz, a prisoner of war camp. He vividly paints the scenes using his words. Horror does not come close to describing it. The trenches and the POW camp were places of sheer horror and terror. Writing letters home, the author’s relatives tried to shield their loved ones from the worst.
I found the description of the train journey to Doberitz particularly harrowing.
Derek R Payne’s grandfather suffered from an unknown neurological condition we would now call PTSD. He was experimented on in the POW camp with the hope of not only curing him, but developing a treatment for German soldiers. It did not work. He returned home with nightmares that would continue to plague him down the years.
War leaves many battle scars, some go deep down. “Will never talked about it [his wartime experiences] for many years.”
We also hear of life in Bristol on the home-front as the women folk are left behind. Their war is of a fear for their menfolk.
Letters To Doberitz must be read to preserve the memories of all those who never returned, and all those who did but left their minds behind on the battlefield.
I found the book lodged close to my heart as my Dad’s father’s cousin (who was brought up more like a brother as there were just 4 years between them), Charles Parkes signed up for the navy in World War I. He too, like Will, was given an inferior rifle and sent to fight on the battlefields of France. Unlike Will, able seaman Charles Parkes perished on the battlefields.
World War I was a travesty of the loss of youth on both sides. There are no winners in war, only grieving families.
I loved the inclusion of photographs, meaning I could put faces to names.
Letters To Doberitz was a powerful yet horrifying read. Thank you Derek R Payne for sharing your grandfather’s story.
I will leave you with a powerful poem from page 68:
“Scattered in a Belgium field,
Is one who died with no choice to yield,
His smile in life would light a room,
Now a field of corn is his tomb.
He gave his life unselfishly,
So that today we can all stand free.”
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
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This true story should be told in schools - I will never walk past a war memorial again in the same way. I will always think about the Payne men, the men and young boys (on both sides) that fought and the women and families that were left behind and worried. I have not been impacted so deeply by a book for many years. Knowing the horrific history of the Somme and then reading as fresh faced young men were wondering what was ahead of them sent shivers all over me. There were many moments like that from start to finish and I am not embarrassed to say that it made me emotional many times. The little details and very personal moments in Bristol, Berlin and at the Somme painted such a vivid picture.
If more people in positions of power read this book, I believe there would be less wars.
