Tom Donovan Editions

The intention of this Series is to form the first complete, systematic and fully annotated bibliography of the First World War. Published in hardback, this series will not be numbered or restricted to a single print run.

The first volume is in preparation:

PERSONAL MEMORIAL VOLUMES OF THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918

The first volume in The Bibliography Series will form a complete record of works specifically printed or published to commemorate individual servicemen and women who had been killed in the war. They appeared steadily from 1914 onwards and many contain valuable letters and diaries recording diverse experience in all services on all fronts, ‘though predominently in the British Army on the Western Front.

The vast majority were published privately in very small numbers by the immediate family of the dead soldier. Individually and collectively they form a valuable, lasting Memorial to the Lost Generation of 1914-1918.

Our bibliography will have a page devoted to each work, including a physical description, bibliographical details, full description of the contents, the subject’s life and services and his or her place of burial or commemoration. The book will also contain portraits of those commemorated.

To date we have identified around 400 works for inclusion in this unique, ground breaking work of reference.

A very valuable feature to researchers will be the comprehensive Indices of schools and colleges, regiments, theatres of war and specific battles, which will make it possible to rapidly identify volumes of potential interest.

BRITISH SERVICES PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918

In four volumes:

1914-1919 Works that appeared during the war or were clearly written ready for publication during it. Many valuable works of personal experience appeared during this early period, despite the apparent constraints of censorship.

1920-1940 A period during which was unleashed a large body of material with a characteristic period feel, much outpouring of the heart, self-justification and soul-purging. Anti-war memoirs are balanced by the reminiscences and recollections of those who unashamedly ‘grew’ through their experiences.

1941-1970 An era of changing attitudes to the Great War and one that has shaped the current perception in a huge way. Many people seem incapable of looking back beyond this era. In the immediate aftermath of WW2 not many WW1 memoirs were forthcoming, but as the 1960s and ‘70s progressed many now aged veterans felt, quite rightly, that they had something valid to say, and alongside their considerable output more and more diaries and war letters are discovered and published.

1971-2000 As above, the balance now swinging towards diaries and letters rather than participants themselves recording their experiences.

Further volumes are planned covering other areas of Great War literature.