Vera Brittain Libri

Nel 1914 Vera Brittain si affaccia alla giovinezza. È brillante e anticonformista, decisa a cambiare un destino di moglie gentile e madre paziente diventando una delle prime donne ammesse in un selettivo college di Oxford. Con l'egocentrismo dei suoi vent'anni, inizialmente Vera considera la grande guerra soprattutto una scomoda interruzione delle proprie attività. Ma la portata degli eventi che stanno travolgendo l'Europa diventa presto chiara: la devastazione non è solo materiale, ma anche psicologica e spirituale. Lasciata Oxford, Vera diventa infermiera volontaria e serve la patria a Londra, a Malta, in Francia, mentre il fratello, il fidanzato, gli amici più cari perdono la vita nelle trincee. Sopravvivere a tutto e tornare a un nuovo genere di "normalità" non sarà facile. Dopo una risurrezione difficile ma necessaria, divenuta scrittrice e giornalista, Vera raccoglie le sue memorie in quest'opera incisiva e struggente, testamento ideale e tributo alla sua generazione. Il libro è un classico della letteratura inglese, perché attraverso la propria storia, vivida e sincera, Vera non racconta soltanto la disillusione e il dolore, ma anche il cammino di maturazione delle idee per le quali ha combattuto tutta la vita, armata solo della sua penna: pacifismo e lotta per i diritti delle donne.

The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 irrevocably altered many lives, including that of Vera Brittain, an Oxford undergraduate who left her studies to serve as a nurse in military hospitals in England and France. The war was a shattering experience for her; she witnessed the horrors of combat and lost the four men closest to her—her fiancé, Roland Leighton, brother Edward, and friends Geoffrey Thurlow and Victor Nicholson—who all perished on the battlefield. A collection of previously unpublished letters between Brittain and these young men chronicles her relationships with them, revealing the disillusionment with the idealized glory of patriotic duty that quickly gave way to the grim reality of trench warfare. The letters are lively and dramatic, infused with a curious optimism despite the war's awfulness. In one poignant letter to Roland in December 1915, just days before his death, Vera expressed hope for the future, stating, "Somehow I feel the end is not destined to be here and now." Following Roland's death, and later those of Victor and Geoffrey, her letters take on a raw intensity as she focuses on her brother, a Military Cross recipient, until his death on the Italian Front in June 1918. These letters formed the basis of Brittain's remarkable autobiography, bringing to life the voices of a lost generation whose words risk being forgotten as the war recedes from memory.

This title tells one woman's unforgettable record of the First World War, 'Testament of Youth' is in spirit and impact as powerful a classic as 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and 'Goodbye to All That' - a haunting elegy for a lost generation.

This collection of Vera Brittain's poetry and prose, some of it never published before, commemorates the men she loved - fiancé, brother and two close friends - who served and died in the First World War. It draws on her experiences as a VAD nurse in London, Malta, and France, and illustrates her growing conviction of the wickedness of all war. Illustrated with many extraordinary photographs from Brittain's own albums, and edited with a new introduction by Mark Bostridge, BECAUSE YOU DIED is an elegy to men who lost their lives in a bloody conflict, and a beautiful volume of remembrance to mark the anniversary of the Armistice.

The biography offers an intimate look at Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence, chronicling his life and career through the lens of Vera Brittain, a close friend for over twenty years. It presents a comprehensive and affectionate portrayal of his character and accomplishments, capturing the essence of a significant figure in history. First published in 1963, the work reflects Brittain's deep understanding and appreciation of Pethick-Lawrence, providing readers with a rich narrative of his contributions and personal journey.

Exploring the lives and ideas of a diverse group of Christians, this book delves into their shared spiritual mission to address the profound conflicts of their time. Through their unique personalities and the passion that united them, the narrative highlights their commitment to promoting peace amidst a tumultuous world. The work reflects on the essential values they championed and the impact of their collective efforts in confronting societal challenges.