Peter Kemp's 'Mine Were of Trouble' is a gripping real-life account of the Spanish Civil War from a Nationalist perspective. Fresh out of law school, a young and starry-eyed Kemp decides to join the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 on the side of Francisco Franco's forces as a means of experiencing both adventure and purpose; Kemp was particularly alarmed by the growing Communist influence in Europe at the time and wanted to have a part to play in halting its encroachment in the rest of the continent.
A true master of prose, Kemp writes in such an engaging manner that you almost feel like you're there with him every step of the way (his description of what it's like to be bombarded is particularly nightmare-inducing). His first-hand account of all the horrors of the war - staring death in the face, a troubling execution he had to oversee personally, and the numerous injuries he sustained - cuts deep in a primal way.
Thankfully he dilutes the grimmer aspects of war with an introspective chronicle on the joy and growth that he experiences throughout his time as a Nationalist soldier (first as a Requetés officer and subsequently a Legionnaire), writing about the beauty of the Spanish countryside, the hospitality of the villagers he meets along the way, getting to know some of the bravest and most courageous men whom he had the honour of calling his friends, the generosity and self-sacrifice demonstrated by his brothers-in-arms, and the incredibly inspiring tenacity of the forces he fought alongside with which doubtlessly helped to stymie Republican victory.
By the end of the book, the once naive adventurer metamorphoses into a confident, disciplined and battle-hardened soldier with renewed respect for his fellow man - particularly the man willing to fight evil at all costs.
5/5
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