At the Front Line: Experiences of Australian Soldiers in World War II / Edition 1

Paperback (Print)
Buy New
Buy New from BN.com
$51.72
(Save 5%)
Eligible for FREE SHIPPING details
Usually ships within 24 hours details
Used and New from Other Sellers
Used and New from Other Sellers
from $48.58
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
(Save 11%)
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (4) from $48.58   
  • New (2) from $48.58   
  • Used (2) from $65.06   

More About This Textbook

Overview

At the Front Line draws on a plethora of letters, diaries and documents written by more than 300 Australian soldiers in the field to present a picture of the hardships and triumphs of their national wartime experience. Mark Johnston analyzes the suffering of front-line soldiers caused not only by the opposing force, but also by the conditions imposed by their own army. The book details the physical and psychological pressures of life at the front. It shows the shocking realizations experienced by soldiers as they came into contact with their own mortality and the mortality of others for the first time. With a skilful hand, Mark Johnston paints a picture of survival and surrender in the surreal conditions in which the soldiers lived and fought: not only the rain, heat, hunger and noise, but also the boredom and the unnerving suspense. The author investigates both the immense strain that led to many breakdowns, and the characteristic forbearance that saw so many others through. In this testament to both scholarship and humanity, Mark Johnston has captured the stoicism and frailty of Australian soldiers struggling under the burdens of service in World War II.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
"This is an extremely worthwhile study of an army..." R. Higham, Choice

"Johnston's discussion of the sources of stress on battlefields...is both scholarly and moving. It would be useful for any modern commander planning a ground war to refer to the discussion here of the incidence of psychoneurotic casualties both before, during and after battle." John McCarthy, Pacific Affairs

Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780521523233
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Publication date: 7/18/2002
  • Edition description: First Paperback Edition
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 261
  • Product dimensions: 5.98 (w) x 8.98 (h) x 0.67 (d)

Table of Contents

List of Plates
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Conventions and Abbreviations
Introduction
Pt. 1 The Front Line
1 The Unnatural Life at the Front 3
2 Experiences of Fear and Death 17
3 Major Sources of Front-line Stress 29
4 When Fear Became Unbearable 46
5 Taking the Strains of the Front Line 63
Pt. 2 The Army Way
6 Callous Bigwigs and Boredom 91
7 Army Muck-ups 104
8 Resentment of Inequality 124
9 Discipline and Making the Most of Army Life 144
Pt. 3 Mates
10 A Band of Brothers? 167
11 Aftermath and Conclusions 193
App. A Who Fought Where 200
App. B Statistical Comparisons: Religion, Occupation, Residence 211
Notes 214
Bibliography 237
Index 252
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)