WW2 The Memoirs Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery Published In 1958

 

The foreword states;

 

“THIS BOOK does not owe its inception to any personal inclination to authorship, or to any wish to achieve further publicity. I write it because of many suggestions that such a book of memoirs is needed. I aim to give to future generations the impressions I have gained in a life that has been full of interest, and to define the principles under which I have considered it my duty to think and act. Every word of the book was written in the first instance in pencil in my own handwriting. That being done, and the chapters typed in turn, they were read by three trusted friends whose opinions I value. The chapters were re-drafted by me in the light of their comments and suggestions. Finally, the complete book was read through by the same three, for balance and accuracy. Chief among the three was Brigadier E. T. Williams, Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford-frequently referred to in the book as Bill Williams. I owe him a great debt of gratitude for the time he gave to reading and comment. Next was Sir James Grigg, also referred to in the book; his comments and suggestions were invaluable. And last was Sir Arthur Bryant; this great historian gave much of his time to reading the chapters. To these three I extend my grateful thanks. I am grateful to those who typed the chapters and helped in organising the maps and photographs. Again, I extend my gratitude for permission to publish extracts from letters and books, and I apologise in any case where such permission has been overlooked. I recognise-by the quotation which is at the beginning of this book that I have often been a controversial figure. But my thoughts, actions, mistakes have been but human. Throughout my life and conduct my criterion has been not the approval of others nor of the world; it has been my inward convictions, my duty and my conscience. I have never been afraid to say what I believed to be right and to stand firm in that belief. This has often got me into trouble. I have not attempted to answer my critics but rather to tell the story of my long and enjoyable military life as I see it, and as simply as possible. Some of my comrades- in-arms of the Second World War have told their story about those days; this is mine. FORE WORD I have tried to explain what seems to me important and to confine the story to matters about which my knowledge is first- hand. Whatever the book may lack in literary style, it will therefore have, it is my hope, the merit of truth.”

 

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