Other Men's Flowers

My absolute favorite anthology of poetry, hands down. I always keep it with me. Lord Wavell's commentaries on the poetry are insightful and delightful. The poetry itself is a treasure.It is so meaningful to have a book of poetry not chosen by experts or for the cause of academic thoroughness, but rather one that was...well, not chosen. Lord Wavell can't properly be said to have chosen these poems, they were his companions in life - the poems that meant enough to him for him to have them memorized and thus with him at all times.

Happy

The collection of poetry is, in Lord Wavell's words, every poem he remembered. All are written down as they come to his memory. The title, of course, is from Montaigne's essays-"These are other men's flowers, only the string that binds them is mine own." He commanded the British armies in the Middle East during World War II, and presumably jotted his memories down between battles. I believe it was published during that war, because I carried a copy with me in the Royal Air Force. Or did I? That may be a rear screen projection of events-my memory cannot in any way equal Archibald, Lord Wavell. The last quarter of the book comprises scraps of poems half remembered, but worthy of inclusion. I lost my copy a long time ago, so this is a memory of memories

I have loved this book since about the age of eighteen. My grandfather quoted from Jean Ingelow's The High Tide On the Coast of Linconshire. The occasion was the wedding of my parents...John and Elizabeth. My grandfather at their wedding reception apparently quoted the lines... A sweeter woman ne'er drew breath than my son's wife, Elizabeth. I have often wondered how he came to know the poem.

I have a hard back copy of this book. It is more than a book of poetry it is a book of life, love, conflict, courage and all things Human. It is an embodiment of those virtues that are innate in all Men and Women. It is not all English poetry, there are a few Yanks thrown in for good measure.

This book was chosen by Sir Jeremy Farrar Head of the Welcome Foundation as his book if cast away on a desert island. On hearing that I investigated. I purchased a copy as a present for a well read friend. He was delighted and has continued to read and dip into the book during c19 lockdowns. I then purchased a second copy for myself, as I’m a relative novice when it comes to poetry. But this has allowed us to discuss specific poems during lockdown. I particularly enjoy the annotations within the book, as they give me a better understanding. This book was first published in 1944 and has remained in print ever since!

Great book thanks, enjoyed as a child!

I first bought this book when I was really young, and enjoyed the variety of poems - which act as an inducement to find out more.Then I realised with a considerable shock that each of these poems had been learnt by heart, by Wavell, and I remain hugely impressed.Now I have given this book to another generation, and the one after that - with the latest copy going to my about-to-be-grand-daughter-in-law, who loves poetry at the beginning of her own discovery.

Tried to review another product without realising I was reviewing this one! Arrived promptly. No dustcover though as per the picture so slightly miffed about that as I wanted to replace the copy my father bought for me.

I carried an earlier edn of this book all thru my carreer. Secured in plastic with my cig papers and tobacco, it accompanied me on many jumps, and those were often the only dry things about me. It is quite remarkable that Lord Wavell did most of this compilation while copmnding in Nort Africa in 1942 and in CBI in 1943. I expect this new copy to oulast me, but I will treasure every hour I spend with these flowers