Brian Best – författare

After a slow start, the Second World War produced an enormous number of war correspondents. Correspondents like Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos and George Orwell were all inspired to put their experiences on the printed page. Hemingway and his wife, Martha Gellhorn, went on to cover the D-Day Landings and the final victory in Germany.The British Broadcasting Corporation was the first to use live broadcasts from the front. Encouraged by the RAFs favourable acceptance of Richard Dimblebys commentary from the flight deck of a Lancaster bomber over Berlin, which was piloted by the legendary Guy Gibson VC, the publics reaction was overwhelmingly positive.Increasingly, war correspondents sought danger by flying bombing missions, parachuting with airborne forces and taking part in amphibious attacks against the enemy. Many were killed in plane crashes, by sniper fire and freak accidents. Several performed acts of bravery recognized with a Mentioned in Despatches and in some cases, a gallantry award. As a consequence, many were killed the United States alone has a memorial dedicated to more than eighty.Although there was much purple prose reporting, there was also some excellent writing, which has stood the test of time. To name a few, such journalists as Alan Moorehead, Robert Sherrod, Richard Tregaskis, Osmar White, Martha Gellhorn and Chester Wilmot, who were all perceptive eyewitnesses to the worlds greatest war.Reporting the Second World War is an in-depth account of the war, as seen through the newspapers of the day. It illustrates the momentous efforts of the correspondents and is a timely reminder of their dedication, skill and bravery in reporting the Second World War.

Janet Wells achievements make for fascinating reading. She was only 18 when decorated for her nursing service to the Russians in the 1878 Balkan War. The following year she became the only nurse to serve at the Front in the Anglo Zulu War. After a period in Northern Zululand she was sent to the garrison at Rorkes Drift very soon after the legendary action. Revered by the soldiers, she had to make do in appalling conditions with scant supplies. She overcame extreme difficulties and prejudice despite her youth.After returning to England in time for her 20th birthday, her achievements were recognized by the award of the Royal Red Cross the highest accolade and the equivalent of the Victoria Cross.This is a gripping tale of a true heroine who refused to accept the conventions of the age and in so doing made a huge contribution to the welfare of the British Army.

In 1688, a vast fleet of 463 ships, twice the size of the Spanish Armada, put to sea from Holland. On board was William of Orange with 40,000 soldiers - their objective, England. The Protestant William had been encouraged by a group of Church of England bishops to risk everything and oust the Catholic King James. He landed at Tor Bay in Devon and soon gathered enough support, including that of John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough, to cause King James to flee to France. It had been seen, in the eyes of most in England and Scotland as a 'Glorious' Revolution.William ascended the throne along with his wife Mary, the daughter of England's Charles II, who had preceded James. Though the revolution had been virtually bloodless, William had to fight to keep his crown.Most Irish were Catholics and King William's armies met stiff opposition there. In this, James saw a chance to regain his crown. Sailing to Ireland, he led his Jacobite troops against William at the Battle of the Boyne on 1 July 1690\. James was defeated, ending his hopes of ousting William.There were also large numbers of Catholics in Scotland, but they too were defeated by William's army at the Battle of Killiecrankie. This, in turn, led to the infamous Massacre of Glencoe.The accession of William and Mary to the throne was a landmark moment in British history, one which saw Parliament emerge into the modern state. In January 1689, two months after the Glorious Revolution, Parliament met and in February a Declaration of Rights was incorporated into the Bill of Rights. This included the measure that the crown could not tax without Parliament's consent or interfere in elections. William, therefore, is not only known both for being one of England's most revolutionary kings, but also one of the least remembered.