Discover 'The General and the Nightingale: Dan Davin's War Stories', a compelling collection that showcases the unique experiences of New Zealand soldiers during World War II. Edited by Janet Wilson, this hardback edition features 20 powerful war stories inspired by Dan Davin's own experiences and wartime diaries as a Kiwi soldier across the Mediterranean and African campaigns. This rich anthology provides readers with a profound insight into the lives of ANZAC soldiers, blending memoir with fiction. Davin's narrative style brings authentic perspectives, making these tales both engaging and historically significant. With comprehensive notes, a glossary, a chronology, and even a map of story locations, 'The General and the Nightingale' is an essential read for history enthusiasts and literature lovers alike. First published in 1986 as 'The Salamander in the Fire', this updated version ensures that Davin's extraordinary literary contributions are preserved and accessible. Perfect for those interested in New Zealand military history, war fiction, or ANZAC narratives, this edition will immerse you in the soldier's journey. Secure your copy of this remarkable book today and experience the enduring legacy of Dan Davin, a true voice of the 20th-century New Zealand soldier. We are happy to combine shipping. Smartfox NZ is a NZ owned business located in Auckland. This product is in stock in NZ which means no unexpected import charges, custom duty or tax.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 138 x 210 mm
Pages: 364
Bind: hardback
Authors: Dan Davin, Janet Wilson (Ed) Publisher: Otago University Press
Publication Date: 24-01-2020

Dan Davin was the author of the only substantial body of war fiction written by a New Zealand soldier during any of the wars of the 20th century in which the nation was engaged. The General and the Nightingale brings together Davin’s 20 war stories, some drawn from his war diaries and loosely based on his experiences as ‘a wartime scholar-soldier’ and those of his fellow soldiers in the British and New Zealand armies. They yield an unparalleled insight into the Kiwi or Anzac soldier at war during the Mediterranean and African desert campaigns of World War II. Editor Janet Wilson notes they can be read as ‘fictionalised accounts rather than imaginative fictions’. Born and raised in a working-class Catholic family in Southland, Davin was a Rhodes Scholar and had recently completed a degree at Oxford when he enlisted in the British Army in 1939. After receiving a commission in 1940 he successfully applied to be transferred to the New Zealand forces. He saw active service in Greece and North Africa, was wounded in Crete, and rose to become General Freyberg’s intelligence officer in the Italian campaign. The General and the Nightingale updates an earlier collection of Davin’s war stories published in 1986 as The Salamander in the Fire and long out of print. This new publication features comprehensive notes, a glossary, a chronology, a map of story locations, a bibliography and an extensive introduction by Janet Wilson. It is a companion volume to The Gorse Blooms Pale: Dan Davin’s Southland short stories (OUP, 2007), which is also being reissued.

We are happy to combine shipping. Smartfox is a NZ owned business located in Auckland. This product is in stock in NZ which means no unexpected import charges, custom duty or tax.