Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire

I wasn't sure what to expect from this - a biography of a seemingly obscure relative? Then I delved into it, and I'm so glad I did. It's wonderfully written with an immediate engaging style (it is Palin, after all), and before long I was rapt, firstly by his great grandfather's story (immortalised by Palin himself in the film The Americans) then by the narrative of his enigmatic great uncle - in some ways the book raises more questions than answers. It then rattles through Gallipoli and The Somme. I was dumbfounded and powerfully moved at the end. A real tribute to the value of family archives, and how tiny clues reveal so much. RIP HWBP.

Very moving. Palin is a wonderful writer.

If you like history, particularly victorian and World War, then you'll enjoy this book. It is based on the diaries of Michael Palin's great uncle and research carried out. Really good read.

A really well written great read.

Really enjoyed this book. A most readable account of a man of his time .some still shocking facts of of WW1 and the tragic loss of that generation .That old adage “Lions lead by Donkeys”continued to come mind when reading this in parts heartbreaking story . Nevertheless a still a great read .

Beautifully written and fascinating read about Michael Palin’s Great Uncle Harry.

Shame the dust cover was damaged by Amazon in transit but a nice book

Great story telling and a great 'window' into history

Great Uncle Harry: a Tale of War and Empire is written by Michael Palin.Great Uncle Harry is a biography, a history text, a travelogue, a family genealogy and apersonal memoir.There is much to read, to ponder, to look at in this book.It is divided into 4 parts - Linton, India & New Zealand, Gallipoli and France.There are maps (always my favorite), a Preface and Prelude, an Afterword, Photos, a Timeline, Family Tree, Bibliography, Acknowledgements and Index.Michael Palin’s attention to detail and meticulous research made this book an impeccable history source as well as a deeply emotional life story.His writing style is so personal, so sincere, so moving - I think I was in tears before the Prelude ended. I felt so deeply that this person, Henry William Bourne Palin, was my own Great Uncle Harry.I also enjoyed Michael Palin’s relationship with Peter Jackson, who as an eminent New Zealander is obsessed with improving our understanding of the First World War.I am including a synopsis and the highest recommendation I could possibly give. *****“Some years ago a stash of family records was handed down to Michael Palin, among which were photos of an enigmatic young man in army uniform, as well as photos of the same young man as a teenager looking uncomfortable at family gatherings. This, Michael learned, was his Great-Uncle Harry, born in 1884, died in 1916. He had previously had no idea that he had a Great-Uncle Harry, much less that his life was cut short at the age of 32 when he was killed in the Battle of the Somme. The discovery both shocked him and made him want to know much more.The quest that followed involved hundreds of hours of painstaking detective work. Michael dug out every bit of family gossip and correspondence he could. He studied every relevant official document. He tracked down what remained of his great-uncle Harry's diaries and letters, and pored over photographs of First World War battle scenes to see whether Harry appeared in any of them. He walked the route Harry took on that fatal, final day of his life amid the mud of northern France. And as he did so, a life that had previously existed in the shadows was revealed to him.Great-Uncle Harry is an utterly compelling account of an ordinary man who led an extraordinary life. A blend of biography, history, travelogue and personal memoir, this is Michael Palin at his very finest.”

Not very far into the book but loving every page of it. So well researched,and full of Michael’s insightful observations on life in late Victorian England.Quite an amazing family.

One of my favourite writers brings to life his great uncle including his WW1 service. An extra bonus was the unexpected connection to Nelson, New Zealand. Thoroughly recommended.

I strongly recommend anyone to read this book a story about an ordinary man who went onto lead an extraordinary short life. During an overwhelming time in many people's lives in the history of all our human stories ...

A lovely book to read, it is well written