Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
About the Author
Mark Bostridge is a biographer and literary critic who lives in London.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Well written and something of an autobiography from when she was born up to just after WWI. I'm not a fan of the author's pacifism though. It's a bit lengthy but well worth the read.
4.0 out of 5 stars A "classic" World War I memoir, burdened by prolixity
Vera Brittain was a remarkable woman. Born in 1893, she was a product of Victorian bourgeois society, but she challenged many of its conventions, particularly as regards the subordinate place of women. She was in the vanguard of female students at Oxford (Somerville College), until the "Great War" intervened. Not content to let the waging of the war to men, she did what she could - which for her was to leave Oxford (despite how much it meant to her) and serve as a nurse in the V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment). For three years, she tended wounded and dying soldiers (including, for one stretch, German soldiers) in London, in Malta, and in Boulogne. She gradually became a critic of the War and the Conservative Party, a supporter of internationalism (as represented by the League of Nations) and the Socialist Party, as well as an outspoken advocate of various feminist causes.TESTAMENT OF YOUTH, published in 1933, is Brittain's autobiography of her youth - which for her and her generation was a youth torn asunder by WWI. For Brittain, in addition to the interruption of her academic career and three years of physical sacrifice, sweat, and gore, it meant the deaths of her four closest friends: her fiancée, her brother, and the two other men who had comprised a tight circle of friendship before the War. Much has been written about how WWI ravaged a generation of leaders in Great Britain. Brittain adds her two cents, in writing about the dim post-War prospects for marriage:"The various men, I thought bitterly, with whom I had come into contact since the War--men who were married already but enjoyed making use of my company for a little romantic diversion, men who imagined that I could be tempted by wealth and promises of financial support in politics, * * * young men who were ardent but ineffectual, men of all ages who wallowed in nauseating sentimentality and hadn't the brains of an earwig--simply provided one proof after another that the best of their sex had disappeared from a whole generation." (Despite that, Brittain did marry in 1925, and she had two children.)The above sentence is representative of Brittain's writing style - vivid but wordy and syntactically complex. It makes for an over-long book, also prolonged by the numerous extracts quoted from similarly prolix correspondence Brittain had saved from the War years. (Good heavens but educated Brits of that era were verbose! Orwell and Waugh really did cleanse the literary palate.)And that prolixity is a shame, because TESTAMENT OF YOUTH contains much that is worthwhile, both as eyewitness history and intelligent (and generally critical) commentary on an Age. At the public school graduation ceremony for the class of Brittain's brother and her soon-to-be fiancée (in 1914, two months before Sarajevo), the Headmaster solemnly intoned, "If a man cannot be useful to his country, he is better dead." Four years later, a generation was indeed decimated, and to what end? Whatever answer the politicians give, it cannot justify the cost in human lives. Brittain writes that "my generation had been deceived, its young courage cynically exploited, [and] its idealism betrayed." She resolved to learn "how the whole calamity had happened, to know why it had been possible for me and my contemporaries, through our ignorance and others' ingenuity, to be used, hypnotized and slaughtered."A noble resolution. Is it, however, quixotic? That is a question my sons must face. Plus ça change . . . .
5.0 out of 5 stars Good service & book
Reasonable shipping, time no damage classic book.
5.0 out of 5 stars The killing of an Archduke, and how it changed the world.
Vera Britten feel in love at the beginning of WW1.At the same time she was accepted to Oxford College [ Somerville] a very prestigious school.Hwe major was Literature.Her love of her life was Roland Leighton, a very smart and talented man,a friend of her brother's .He was 2 years her junior.As the war broke out in 1914 her brother's friends volunteered.She felt she was not doing enough for the men fighting,so she joined the VAD [Nurses Aid's].As the years went by first Roland died , then the others followed Edward her brother died the last in Italy in 1919..After this she became a Pacifist. she could not understand why young bots were being killed because of an Archduke in some far off country.Today many Historians would agree." THE CAUSE OF WAR ARE ALWAYS,FALSELY REPRESENTED : IT'S HONOR IS DISHONEST AND IT'S GLORY MERETRICIOUS ".She returned to Oxford ,majored in History, earned a BA ,,This was the second year they gave Degrees to Women.[1921]..She taught in schoolsL ,She wrote 'Testament of Youth ' .Worked for the League of Nations Union '.Then she meet George Catlin3 years her junior but they has a lot in common.They got married had 2 children, but she was hardly around.She half the year home , and half with Winigred a college friend.Which tore George apart, It was George , Vera and Winifred.Her daughter said she always had something more important to do.. One point is right she felt ' Nurses were only human beings" not a vocation, [ she was a VAD for 4 years.' And they should be more free of restrictions.".Her mother suffered from Depression, so she was put in a home, Vera saw it as a dull place with bad food, hoe can anyone recover in those conditions.She felt people suffering , should be in a happy place and be fed well.This I feel is being done now.It took Vera 10 years to fully recover from the war.Which she might have been shorter if she had gotten help.Vera became Catholic at the time of her marriage in 1925..Roland became Catholic in France before he died.Vera and Roland loved the ' St. James Spanish Catholic Church in Oxford. That is also the church she got married in with George..Roland Leighton had a big affect on her life , writing, religion. I do not feel her family was religious in a big way..Her daughter Shirley said " Roland was the love of her life" and this broke her fathers life.This is a very interesting book , war , women's movements, love,.Too much to cover in a review.
3.0 out of 5 stars Book Review - Testament of Youth
Overall I enjoyed Testament of Youth. I appreciated the author's sincerity and dedication and this personal view of WWI history. Ms Brittain's writing reveals her intelligence, intensity, and large vocabulary, and I was glad I read the book on Kindle so I could easily look up words new to me. Her writing style with long, convoluted sentences was tiresome and sometimes confusing but I realize in 1930's England this may have been standard. At the beginning of the book I grew weary of all the anger expressed by Ms Brittain. It is tragic her generation lost so much of their youth, but her anger at her conventional parents who had no books in their home seemed misplaced. I was surprised later in the book when Ms Brittain was overseas and she referred to letters with her Mother that there was such warmth. Ms Brittain expressed her ideas on so many things, it would have been interesting to know about the improvement in their relationship. The book is rich with the daily and personal experiences of people from all walks of life during WWI. At the end of the book Ms Brittain is ready to begin a new life chapter. Her edges are softening and she's beginning to give up some control. I was so glad for this resolution for her and it was a timely end. But, oh, it would have been wonderful to learn more of this next stage in her life.
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book of love and loss in the first world war
She was a nurse in combat zones in the trenches of Europe. Poignant moving book of her life. You'll love it if you have a compassionate heart.
A great read 📖
A deep book on relations and war. One of the best war memoirs for a lost generation. Vera Brittain at her best ❤❤
Excellent
I'm french and never had the opportunity to learn about Vera Brittain's story before seeing the movie as she isn't known in my country. I really wanted to know more about her life so I decided to read the book. Since it wasn't even translated into my native language I had to order it abroad and it was excellent. The shipping was really fast (less than a week) and it arrived in a perfect state. If you are interested in this book I hardly recommend it, the language is not very hard to understand for a foreigner (but you still need have a good english level obviously). Small warning : the book is much longer than I had expected (about 600 pages) so it does take rather a long time to finish it
A Very Remarkable Person
Vera Brittain was a very remarkable person. I am sorry that I never heard of her before watching the 2014 film (although the 1979 British mini-series is more faithful to the book). She certainly defies type. She was a patriot who became an internationalist. She was a romantic, very much in the mold of Shelley, Byron and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, yet also a realist. She recognised early on that the League of Nations was failing. She was a feminist, but valued social equality above gender equality. She regarded social disparity (great differences in wealth and power) as the root cause of war. She was not religious and rarely mentions God, yet maintained membership in the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship. She could be obstinate. She steadfastly refused to countenance the use of force against Nazi Germany and for that many called her a traitor. She was blacklisted. Throughout Testament of Youth she has a tendency to namedrop, as if seeking acknowledgement for hobnobbing amongst the important literary and political figures of her day. Yet, in the end who shall we remember one hundred years from now? I think we will remember Vera Brittain, because above all else, she was the chronicler of her age. This work is honest and uncompromising, a reflection of her heart and soul.
No pude leerlo
No se. Me vino la versión en inglés
Testament of Youth. Libro.
Muchas gracias. Llegó en excelentes condiciones.
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Testament of Youth (Penguin Classics)
AED14974
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Visit the Penguin Classics Store
Testament of Youth (Penguin Classics)
AED14974
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
About the Author
Mark Bostridge is a biographer and literary critic who lives in London.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Well written and something of an autobiography from when she was born up to just after WWI. I'm not a fan of the author's pacifism though. It's a bit lengthy but well worth the read.
4.0 out of 5 stars A "classic" World War I memoir, burdened by prolixity
Vera Brittain was a remarkable woman. Born in 1893, she was a product of Victorian bourgeois society, but she challenged many of its conventions, particularly as regards the subordinate place of women. She was in the vanguard of female students at Oxford (Somerville College), until the "Great War" intervened. Not content to let the waging of the war to men, she did what she could - which for her was to leave Oxford (despite how much it meant to her) and serve as a nurse in the V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment). For three years, she tended wounded and dying soldiers (including, for one stretch, German soldiers) in London, in Malta, and in Boulogne. She gradually became a critic of the War and the Conservative Party, a supporter of internationalism (as represented by the League of Nations) and the Socialist Party, as well as an outspoken advocate of various feminist causes.TESTAMENT OF YOUTH, published in 1933, is Brittain's autobiography of her youth - which for her and her generation was a youth torn asunder by WWI. For Brittain, in addition to the interruption of her academic career and three years of physical sacrifice, sweat, and gore, it meant the deaths of her four closest friends: her fiancée, her brother, and the two other men who had comprised a tight circle of friendship before the War. Much has been written about how WWI ravaged a generation of leaders in Great Britain. Brittain adds her two cents, in writing about the dim post-War prospects for marriage:"The various men, I thought bitterly, with whom I had come into contact since the War--men who were married already but enjoyed making use of my company for a little romantic diversion, men who imagined that I could be tempted by wealth and promises of financial support in politics, * * * young men who were ardent but ineffectual, men of all ages who wallowed in nauseating sentimentality and hadn't the brains of an earwig--simply provided one proof after another that the best of their sex had disappeared from a whole generation." (Despite that, Brittain did marry in 1925, and she had two children.)The above sentence is representative of Brittain's writing style - vivid but wordy and syntactically complex. It makes for an over-long book, also prolonged by the numerous extracts quoted from similarly prolix correspondence Brittain had saved from the War years. (Good heavens but educated Brits of that era were verbose! Orwell and Waugh really did cleanse the literary palate.)And that prolixity is a shame, because TESTAMENT OF YOUTH contains much that is worthwhile, both as eyewitness history and intelligent (and generally critical) commentary on an Age. At the public school graduation ceremony for the class of Brittain's brother and her soon-to-be fiancée (in 1914, two months before Sarajevo), the Headmaster solemnly intoned, "If a man cannot be useful to his country, he is better dead." Four years later, a generation was indeed decimated, and to what end? Whatever answer the politicians give, it cannot justify the cost in human lives. Brittain writes that "my generation had been deceived, its young courage cynically exploited, [and] its idealism betrayed." She resolved to learn "how the whole calamity had happened, to know why it had been possible for me and my contemporaries, through our ignorance and others' ingenuity, to be used, hypnotized and slaughtered."A noble resolution. Is it, however, quixotic? That is a question my sons must face. Plus ça change . . . .
5.0 out of 5 stars Good service & book
Reasonable shipping, time no damage classic book.
5.0 out of 5 stars The killing of an Archduke, and how it changed the world.
Vera Britten feel in love at the beginning of WW1.At the same time she was accepted to Oxford College [ Somerville] a very prestigious school.Hwe major was Literature.Her love of her life was Roland Leighton, a very smart and talented man,a friend of her brother's .He was 2 years her junior.As the war broke out in 1914 her brother's friends volunteered.She felt she was not doing enough for the men fighting,so she joined the VAD [Nurses Aid's].As the years went by first Roland died , then the others followed Edward her brother died the last in Italy in 1919..After this she became a Pacifist. she could not understand why young bots were being killed because of an Archduke in some far off country.Today many Historians would agree." THE CAUSE OF WAR ARE ALWAYS,FALSELY REPRESENTED : IT'S HONOR IS DISHONEST AND IT'S GLORY MERETRICIOUS ".She returned to Oxford ,majored in History, earned a BA ,,This was the second year they gave Degrees to Women.[1921]..She taught in schoolsL ,She wrote 'Testament of Youth ' .Worked for the League of Nations Union '.Then she meet George Catlin3 years her junior but they has a lot in common.They got married had 2 children, but she was hardly around.She half the year home , and half with Winigred a college friend.Which tore George apart, It was George , Vera and Winifred.Her daughter said she always had something more important to do.. One point is right she felt ' Nurses were only human beings" not a vocation, [ she was a VAD for 4 years.' And they should be more free of restrictions.".Her mother suffered from Depression, so she was put in a home, Vera saw it as a dull place with bad food, hoe can anyone recover in those conditions.She felt people suffering , should be in a happy place and be fed well.This I feel is being done now.It took Vera 10 years to fully recover from the war.Which she might have been shorter if she had gotten help.Vera became Catholic at the time of her marriage in 1925..Roland became Catholic in France before he died.Vera and Roland loved the ' St. James Spanish Catholic Church in Oxford. That is also the church she got married in with George..Roland Leighton had a big affect on her life , writing, religion. I do not feel her family was religious in a big way..Her daughter Shirley said " Roland was the love of her life" and this broke her fathers life.This is a very interesting book , war , women's movements, love,.Too much to cover in a review.
3.0 out of 5 stars Book Review - Testament of Youth
Overall I enjoyed Testament of Youth. I appreciated the author's sincerity and dedication and this personal view of WWI history. Ms Brittain's writing reveals her intelligence, intensity, and large vocabulary, and I was glad I read the book on Kindle so I could easily look up words new to me. Her writing style with long, convoluted sentences was tiresome and sometimes confusing but I realize in 1930's England this may have been standard. At the beginning of the book I grew weary of all the anger expressed by Ms Brittain. It is tragic her generation lost so much of their youth, but her anger at her conventional parents who had no books in their home seemed misplaced. I was surprised later in the book when Ms Brittain was overseas and she referred to letters with her Mother that there was such warmth. Ms Brittain expressed her ideas on so many things, it would have been interesting to know about the improvement in their relationship. The book is rich with the daily and personal experiences of people from all walks of life during WWI. At the end of the book Ms Brittain is ready to begin a new life chapter. Her edges are softening and she's beginning to give up some control. I was so glad for this resolution for her and it was a timely end. But, oh, it would have been wonderful to learn more of this next stage in her life.
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book of love and loss in the first world war
She was a nurse in combat zones in the trenches of Europe. Poignant moving book of her life. You'll love it if you have a compassionate heart.
A great read 📖
A deep book on relations and war. One of the best war memoirs for a lost generation. Vera Brittain at her best ❤❤
Excellent
I'm french and never had the opportunity to learn about Vera Brittain's story before seeing the movie as she isn't known in my country. I really wanted to know more about her life so I decided to read the book. Since it wasn't even translated into my native language I had to order it abroad and it was excellent. The shipping was really fast (less than a week) and it arrived in a perfect state. If you are interested in this book I hardly recommend it, the language is not very hard to understand for a foreigner (but you still need have a good english level obviously). Small warning : the book is much longer than I had expected (about 600 pages) so it does take rather a long time to finish it
A Very Remarkable Person
Vera Brittain was a very remarkable person. I am sorry that I never heard of her before watching the 2014 film (although the 1979 British mini-series is more faithful to the book). She certainly defies type. She was a patriot who became an internationalist. She was a romantic, very much in the mold of Shelley, Byron and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, yet also a realist. She recognised early on that the League of Nations was failing. She was a feminist, but valued social equality above gender equality. She regarded social disparity (great differences in wealth and power) as the root cause of war. She was not religious and rarely mentions God, yet maintained membership in the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship. She could be obstinate. She steadfastly refused to countenance the use of force against Nazi Germany and for that many called her a traitor. She was blacklisted. Throughout Testament of Youth she has a tendency to namedrop, as if seeking acknowledgement for hobnobbing amongst the important literary and political figures of her day. Yet, in the end who shall we remember one hundred years from now? I think we will remember Vera Brittain, because above all else, she was the chronicler of her age. This work is honest and uncompromising, a reflection of her heart and soul.
No pude leerlo
No se. Me vino la versión en inglés
Testament of Youth. Libro.
Muchas gracias. Llegó en excelentes condiciones.
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