Customer Reviews

24 reviews

• Tom

  A fascinating account of decent people living through horrendous circumstances. The writer expertly caprtures the feelings and changes brought about by the first world war. I enjoyed this book on different levels, the love stories, tales of day to day life, history, politics and determination of character to stay sane and build a brighter future.

• Phil Clarke

  I was bought this book as a Christmas present by my daughter, she is fully aware of my thirst for military history and combined with local history it fitted the bill perfectly. I very much enjoyed reading about Derek's family and the trials and tribulations they encountered during the Great War, this conflict brought much hardship to many such families of Bristol and the surrounding areas and is captured in this his first book. It is easy to understand the love the parents had for each other and their son, and also the lengths they went to protect him from the events at home and in France.
  
  I would really be interested to hear if there is a follow up to this story further depicting the history of this family in Bristol. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in local history and also anyone who has an interest in the First World War and its impact on the people of this country. (Phil Clarke)
  
  Derek and I share a passion for our local football club and I would hope to meet up one day to discuss our shared interests of history and football.

• Debbie G

  This is not a book I would have normally chosen to read, but once started I couldn't put it down.
  It was enthralling throughout.
  
  From the start it paints a vivid picture of life pre WW1 and a working family from Bristol - piquing your interest and drawing you in.
  
  The book then goes on to describe life in the war for the various characters, capturing a true picture of what our brave soldiers
  of WW1 faced, their roles, thoughts and hardships they endured both at home , in war zones and a foreign prison camp.
  
  These graphic details come from letters from the actual members of the family this story is about.
  
  This book is well worth a read.
  
  would make an excellent film - capturing attention from beginning to end.

• Ray J

  I was in a local bookshop recently and picked up this book purely on a whim. What a find !
  
  It offered a completely new perspective on the War era and, once I became familiar with the main characters, found it to be very easy to relate to the family and characters involved. The author wove an intriguing story into a very readable and accessible volume.
  
  I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

• Simon

  Very enjoyable read, story of a prisoner of war son and his father from Bristol during the first world war.

• Tino Savvas

  Excellent book and story. Interesting, educational and really enjoyable. An extremely good real-life historical story with real characters who we can all associate with. Didn't want it to finish. What happened next, to Tom, Will etc. Highly recommend this book to readers interested in history or who enjoy a real-life story of real people.

• Julia Wilson

  Letters To Doberitz by Derek R Payne is a powerful tale about the experiences of the author’s grandparents and great grandparents during World War I.
  The author has captured life at home, on the battlefields and in Doberitz, a prisoner of war camp. He vividly paints the scenes using his words. Horror does not come close to describing it. The trenches and the POW camp were places of sheer horror and terror. Writing letters home, the author’s relatives tried to shield their loved ones from the worst.
  I found the description of the train journey to Doberitz particularly harrowing.
  Derek R Payne’s grandfather suffered from an unknown neurological condition we would now call PTSD. He was experimented on in the POW camp with the hope of not only curing him, but developing a treatment for German soldiers. It did not work. He returned home with nightmares that would continue to plague him down the years.
  War leaves many battle scars, some go deep down. “Will never talked about it [his wartime experiences] for many years.”
  We also hear of life in Bristol on the home-front as the women folk are left behind. Their war is of a fear for their menfolk.
  Letters To Doberitz must be read to preserve the memories of all those who never returned, and all those who did but left their minds behind on the battlefield.
  I found the book lodged close to my heart as my Dad’s father’s cousin (who was brought up more like a brother as there were just 4 years between them), Charles Parkes signed up for the navy in World War I. He too, like Will, was given an inferior rifle and sent to fight on the battlefields of France. Unlike Will, able seaman Charles Parkes perished on the battlefields.
  World War I was a travesty of the loss of youth on both sides. There are no winners in war, only grieving families.
  I loved the inclusion of photographs, meaning I could put faces to names.
  Letters To Doberitz was a powerful yet horrifying read. Thank you Derek R Payne for sharing your grandfather’s story.
  I will leave you with a powerful poem from page 68:
  “Scattered in a Belgium field,
  Is one who died with no choice to yield,
  His smile in life would light a room,
  Now a field of corn is his tomb.
  He gave his life unselfishly,
  So that today we can all stand free.”
  I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
  
  

• J.M.T.Marshall

  This true story should be told in schools - I will never walk past a war memorial again in the same way. I will always think about the Payne men, the men and young boys (on both sides) that fought and the women and families that were left behind and worried. I have not been impacted so deeply by a book for many years. Knowing the horrific history of the Somme and then reading as fresh faced young men were wondering what was ahead of them sent shivers all over me. There were many moments like that from start to finish and I am not embarrassed to say that it made me emotional many times. The little details and very personal moments in Bristol, Berlin and at the Somme painted such a vivid picture.
  
  If more people in positions of power read this book, I believe there would be less wars.
  
  
  
  

Write a Review