John Mulholland and Alan Jordan. Victoria Cross Bibliography.Spink & Son Ltd, London 1999 218 pages, casebound 25.00 [pounds sterling] The hero of this book is Spink & Son for publishing such an outstanding reference work. The normal cliental for Spink & Son publications is medal collectors whereas this book is a must for VC book collectors and I would hope good libraries particularly university libraries. Medal collectors who do not purchase a copy should at least ask their local library to order a copy. Needless to say I am enthusiastic about this work. I watched the development of this book from its early stages. My good friend Jim Macdonald in Canada produced a slim booklet listing VC titles. This resulted in a group of VC book collectors forming the Victoria Cross Research Group that included the two editors. I know both editors who have a life long expertise in the subject matter and look forward to any feedback. What is so commendable and worth supporting is that they have gone beyond book collecting book collecting, or bibliophily, the acquiring of books that are, or are expected to become, rare and that possess permanent interest in addition to their texts. Collecting has traditionally concentrated on first editions in the field of pure literature. and have shared their knowledge and love of their subject with a wider audience. The main part of the work is a list, alphabetically by author, of over 600 VC books and booklets with a description of the contents and bibliographical details. While I agree with the decision of the editors not to appraise appraise v. to professionally evaluate the value of property including real estate, jewelry, antique furniture, securities, or in certain cases the loss of value (or cost of replacement) due to damage. or comment upon accuracy they could consider a brief editorial comment on key VC works. For instance M J Crook's The Evolution of the Victoria Cross is the outstanding work on the administrative history of the VC while David Harvey's Monuments to Courage is the major contemporary VC reference work in print. Also listed are 100 non-fiction books written by VC recipients on non-VC subjects as well as 60 fiction titles by 6 VC authors. These includes 50 thrillers and adventures stores between 1931 and 1960 by Captain Alfred Pollard Dr. Alfred Pollard, Esq. (born Savannah, Georgia, February 7, 1952) serves as General Counsel for the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, the safety and soundness regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. of the Honourable Artillery Company The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior[4] in the Territorial Army.[5] History who was awarded the VC in France in April 1917. Works are cross-referenced to individuals in the index if they contain at least 300 words about the recipient. However the index should have been preceded by a note that books such as Wilkins (to 1904), Creagh and Humphris (to 1920), Harvey and This England This England is a quarterly magazine, published in spring, summer, autumn and winter, "for all those who love England's green and pleasant land". It has a large readership among expatriates, many of whom are elderly, and concentrates on the values and customs of England -- Books (to date) covered all recipients for the specified period. The introductory explanatory notes set out the criteria for selecting books included in this work. However rather than saying that publications such as Who's Who Who’s Who biographical dictionary of notable living people. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 922] See : Fame , Dictionary of National Biography The Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885. The updated Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB and similar biographical works; school and memorial registers; magazine, journal and newspaper articles; auction catalogues etc had been excluded I would suggest an essay or an appendix on the wealth of additional information available on the VC. I would also like to see an essay on how to start a VC book collection. Finally, I love the dust jacket dust jacket n. 1. A removable paper cover used to protect the binding of a book. Also called dust cover. 2. A cardboard sleeve in which a phonograph record is packaged. . The title, Victoria Cross Bibliography, is short, meaningful and accurate. The spines of 40 VC books, including the 1986 edition of They dared mightily might·i·ly adv. 1. In a mighty manner; powerfully. 2. To a great degree; greatly. Adv. 1. mightily - powerfully or vigorously; "he strove mightily to achieve a better position in life" 2. , are illustrated across the top of both front and back cover. On the back cover four VC book covers are illustrated including the 1963 edition of They dared mightily. Well done John and Alan and the Victoria Cross Research Group and thanks to Jim for inspiring the project. |
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