The First Casualty

This novel, is exactly that, a novel. Nobody should buy this book because of the belief it will give you a definitive and accurate look at world war one. Because it's not only about WW1 it is about excitement, adventure, and most of all sales. Does one go out to buy a reference book for the sheer pleasure of indulging in hundreds of small facts that leave you satisfied and glad that you just read it cover to cover? No. The First Casualty on the other hand does just that.
Now admittedly Elton has taken a much different approach to this than all his previous efforts. It carries a much more serious tone and definitely attempts to tone down the sheer hilarity contained in some other of his other pieces, so it may not be for the die-hard Elton fans wafting around in cyber space. BUT it is still a fantastic read and self important gits that find themselves needing to make it clear that they find themselves superior to others by pointing out the innacuracies of the historical content merely for the fact that they haven't had a girlfriend for ten years nor will have one for another should not put you off buying this book.
Ben Elton is a literary genius and it will keep you entertained for as long as you turn the pages.

First Casualty (2/3 people found this helpful)

Historical inaccuracies and cliches should not stop you from reading this book, if there are any I didn't notice them and nevertheless the story seemed entirely believable. The book has interesting and entertaining characters, a good fast paced plot and highlights the horrendous conditions soldiers faced in WW1. If you like the style of wrting Elton uses in his other books then you will like this one.

Highly recommended.

Not a history of WWI - and never promised to be! (6/9 people found this helpful)

This book is absolutely fabulous!

Please, ignore the other reviews given here which are frankly ridiculous. This is a NOVEL based in the First World War, not a history of it. The sad people which talk about 'historical clichés' should go and buy a non-fiction book if they want to read about facts and figures. If you like reading Ben Elton books because of the talent of the writing, then this book will not let you down.

Wasted potential (6/13 people found this helpful)

I had high hopes from this one, given the fact that Elton has a proven track record of producing excellently written and researched material dealing with the First World War; (Blackadder 4 is at once extremely funny and uncomfortably close to the bone). However, it appears that he has thrown all his previous research out of the window and instead waded in with an implausible and highly contrived story riddled with historical inaccuracies and cliches. From the woolly and distinctly second-hand description of the Tommy on the very first page the reader is left to play spot the reference book in the author's collection.

Its a shame that someone with the intellect of Elton has wasted this opportunity, and its also a shame that some of the reviews here seem to think this book the last word in depicting life on the Western Front. For the true picture of a soldier's life in this period I cannot reccommend Lyn Macdonald highly enough- indispensible reading for anyone with even a vague interest in this period.

A truely dreadful book (4/13 people found this helpful)

Ben Elton has borrowed from a library a standard history of WW1 and forced a ludricrous plot around it. All the WW1 cliches are here but the basic premise is completely barking: a senior policeman is hauled in front of the courts for being a conchie? er no. Police were a reserved occupation so that wouldn't have happened for a starter! The whole book is full of such episodes which seem plausible from a superficial reading but become completely unrealistic if you have any knowledge of WW1

The First Casualty

Ben Elton

Reader Reviews:

Please ignore the pompous idiots below (1/4 people found this helpful)

First Casualty (2/3 people found this helpful)

Not a history of WWI - and never promised to be! (6/9 people found this helpful)

Wasted potential (6/13 people found this helpful)

A truely dreadful book (4/13 people found this helpful)

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