Description
Book SynopsisFrom the deliberate, but delightful, misspelling of Shakespeare in the title to the carefully portrayed perils of being a Victorian soldier and the appropriately selected Shakespearian quotes to go alongside each cartoon, Thomas Seccombe’s book will resonate with all who have an interest in observing life – military and otherwise. Seccombe was a true son of the Victorian Empire and served in The Royal Artillery until retiring as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1881. This book was first published in 1880 and was so popular that it went on to six reprints in the following two years. Seccombe subsequently had a flourishing civilian career as an illustrator. Some 140 years later, even today’s readers will see why Military Misreadings of Shakspere [sic] was such a success. Seccombe’s subtle, but perceptive, observations of human character are as true today as they ever were. He had a wonderful eye for detail as well as the ridiculous – but never with malice even when pairing his cartoons with quotes from the Bard of Avon. This re-issued edition has the added benefit of former Grenadier Paul Cordle’s highly informative commentary which puts Seccombe’s army into perspective and relates regiments to their modern successors-in-arms. With a similar eye for detail as the original illustrator, military historian Paul brings the illustrations to life with fascinating military observations.
Trade Review“This book is fun; it throws an amusing light on the British Army as the British Empire approached the apogee of its power... This short book should make a colourful addition to the home of anyone remotely interested in military history and Shakespeare; and I wish it success” General Sir Jack Deverell KCB OBE DL
Table of ContentsForeword. Introduction and Acknowledgements. Original title page & Major T.S. Seccombe's Disclaimer. Illustrations and Quotations. Author's Note. Appendix 1 - Note on British Army Reforms. Appendix 2 - The British Army, 2020. Appendix 3 - Succession of Cavalry and Armoured Regiments.
