The Anatomy of Courage (Art of Command Series) [Paperback]

Moran (Author)

Book Description

Series: Art of Command Series | Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Fear, and man's attempt to master it, is of eternal interest and just as significant today as when Moran, as a young medical officer, went to the trenches in 1914 to research the subject scientifically. He asked why a man can appear to be as brave as a lion one day and break the next and, crucially, "what can be done to delay or prevent the using up of courage?" First published in 1945, this early groundbreaking account of the psychological effects of war, recounted by means of vivid first-hand observation and anecdote, came at a time when shell-shock was equated with lack of moral fiber. In 1940, Moran became Churchill's doctor and his position as a one of history's most important war physicians was secured. His humane, considered observations, scientific analysis and proposed solutions constitute one of the great First World War sources. However, they are perhaps just as relevant to our own conflict-ridden times.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'I set out to find how courage is born and how it is sustained in a modern army of a free people. The soldier is alone in his war with terror and we have to recognise the first signs of the dafeat, that we may come in time to his rescue.' Lord Moran * 'A remarkably human book... arresting, and sometimes even unforgettable.' Desmond McCarthy, Sunday Times * 'A fascinating book... It is not easy to do justice to Lord Moran's discursive brilliancy... a masterly piece of work.' Times Literary Supplement" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Lord Moran was created 1st Baron Moran on Manton in 1943. During the 1914-18 war he was awarded the MC during the Battle of the Somme and the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour for a raid. He was for twenty-four years the Dean of St Mary's Hospital Medical School. In 1945 he published The Anatomy of Courage. He became Winston Churchill's doctor in 1940, as the curtain was rising on one of the greatest dramas in our history, and from 1941 to 1950 he was also President of the Royal College of Physicians. In his war memoirs, Churchill called Moran "a devoted and personal friend" to whose "unfailing care I probably owe my life."

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avery (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895292831
• ISBN-13: 978-0895292834
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,185,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent effort on a difficult topic, December 17, 2005

By 

Charlie C. Peterson (Summerville, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Anatomy of Courage (Art of Command Series) (Paperback)

The Anatomy of Courage strives to dissect the problem of courage and give the commander a tool to enhance it in battle, to increase it in training, or to find it in recruiting. He discusses the mystery of why one person can fight in the trenches (In WWI) for days or weeks and then one day, simply break. He searches for methods to discover than breaking point and extend it - to maximize the use of that precious commodity. He fails. Instead, he seems to say that the only really beneficial thing the commander can do is recognize the man that has courage and recruit him for service. Promote him when he demonstrates it and hope for the best from the rest of his troops. It is not a happy discovery for the author but he doesn't do well discovering a solution to the problem. It is not for lack of effort and his thoroughness makes the prospects for another would be problem solver seem just as bleak.
It is a wonderful journey and a great exploration of the topic. If there isn't a solution to the problem of maximizing courage then the commander can see how important recruiting is and spend his resources there instead. The US marine recruiting goal of looking for "a few good men" seems to be on the mark. Well worth the read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!, August 18, 2011

By 

D Provencher "D Provencher" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Anatomy of Courage (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is written very smoothly and is a great book for history fans (the books is centered around primarily the English Army during WWI) or psychology novelists alike. Lord Moran does a fantastic job in mixing actual cases, facts, opinions and philosophy into each section of the book thus that the outcome is a strong, fluid read. Highly recommended!

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Anatomy of Courage, March 3, 2010

By 

Linda Jewell (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Anatomy of Courage: The Classic WWI Study of the Psychological Effects of War (Paperback)

As a mom of the military, I found the book written by the WWI physician fascinating. However, I couldn't help wonder if Lord Moran would come to different conclusions today if he could read new research and medical findings concerning Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.