In defence of the Book: Narrow Gauge in the Arras Sector

[Andrew Emery]

Allied Railways of the Western Front - Narrow Gauge in the Arras Sector Before, During and After the First World War Martin J. B. Farebrother, Joan S. Farebrother
Publisher: Pen & Sword Transport
ISBN: 9781473821187

Dear All,
You may have read a recent book review in the May 2016 009 News of 'Narrow Gauge in the Arras Sector', and have been put off buying it.

I bought a copy of this book whilst visiing London last month, and was delighted by the content. High quality research, maps and photographs of metre and 60cm gauge railways, before and after the Great War. I wish all books were up to the quality of this work, and the negative comments you may have read of only part of the book being related to War Department Light Railways, and about the book being too large to put in your pocket (!) do not do it justice.

I do not know the authours from Adam, and have no connection with the publishers, but it is important to us as a hobby that when a valuable historical and excellently researched work such as this is produced, it is not trashed just because it is too high-brow and detailed. Otherwise, we will just get the books we deserve; lightweight paperbacks for lightweight reading.

Well done to the authors, Mr and Mrs Farebrother, and to the publishers Pen and Sword for having the faith to publish so weightly a work. More like this please, and don't be put-off by one poor review; we don't all think like that, and neither does that reviewer speak for all of us.

More like this please - and for anyone even slightly interested in the subject, this book is a treat. Buy it.

Kind Regards,
Andrew Emery
Crimea
Russian Federation