Member Reviews

Author C. N. Murrel published the book “Dunkirk to the Rhineland: Diaries and Sketches of Sergeant C S Murrell, Welsh Guards” in 2020 (Nov). This is Mr. Murrel’s second book.

I categorize this book as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story follows the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards from 1940 to 1945.

It consists of excerpts from diaries and drawings by Sergeant Charles Morrell. He was with the BEF in France at the outbreak of the war, then returned on D-Day. He tells of the struggles to get out at Dunkirk. His unit would later fight through France, Belgium, Netherlands, and into Germany. This was a 9-month campaign with only 6% of the original Battalion serving through to the end.

His writing is often done while he is taking cover in a foxhole and under artillery or mortar fire. As part of an intelligence unit, he had a better understanding than most soldiers of what was going on.

I enjoyed the 10.5 hours I spent reading this 240-page history. While this book is full of facts and details, it is very easy to read. I like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4.3 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed the diary entries and reading a WW2 book from someone who isn't American, which is what I usually read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys personal narratives.

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