WWI expert to appear at Literary Festival

Military historian and author of the series of historical adventures of Matthew Hervey, Allan Mallinson, is the latest author to join the line-up for this year’s Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival to mark the centenary of World War One.

Allan, who is also a defence commentator for The Times and writes a monthly chronicle of the First World War, will be talking about his latest book 1914: Fight the Good Fight. Praised for its accuracy and insight, 1914 tells the story of Britain, the Army and the Coming of the Great War.

Allan joins a range of authors who will also be marking the centenary of the First World War at this year’s festival by the sea, including one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters, Kate Adie, and War Horse author and Devon resident Michael Morpurgo.

Kate will be talking about her latest book Fighting on The Home Front, in which she examines the legacy of women in World War One. Michael will be discussing his anthology, Only Remembered, as well as his forthcoming novel, Listen to the Moon which follows the destiny of a young girl living on an island after the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915.

1914: Fight the Goodfight by Allan Mallinson - Reviews:

"Formidable and page-turning . . . Mallinson's clinical examination of the 'what ifs' is as compelling as his account of the death of a small but professional army, sacrificed to the incuriosity of our politicians and disinclination of military leaders to countenance any challange to what they believed were best laid plans." (Michael Tillotson THE TIMES)

"In the deluge of books to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War, it is refreshing to find one written by a former soldier who is also an accomplished military historian . . . a vivid picture . . . with his soldier's grasp of tactics and strategy, Mallinson describes with clarity and authority the opening weeks of the war." (Simon Heffer DAILY MAIL)

Allan is replacing author Xiaolu Guo who has had to pull out of the festival due to unforeseen circumstances. He will be talking at the Temple Church in Budleigh Salterton at 10am on Saturday 20th September. Tickets are available online or from The Tourist Information Centre on 01395 445 275.

The festival is in its sixth successful year and has had a great response to ticket sales already with several events sold out, including Fay Weldon, James Lovelock, Michael Morpurgo, Hilary Mantel and the creative workshop with Louise Doughty. 

For more information visit www.budlitfest.org.uk. Follow the festival on Twitter @BudleighLitFest and like it on www.Facebook.com/BudleighSaltertonliteraryfestival.