Three Cheers for Me: Volume One of the Bandy Papers

by Donald Jack

Book Overview

It is 1916. Bartholomew Bandy, fourth-year medical student, decides that it is time to join the War. The prim young Canadian expects that he will have few problems remaining clean and virtuous. But he is aware that his bland, horse-like face drives people crazy, and that he has a certain tendency to be accident-prone. How will the war affect him, and vice versa? The realities of trench war at the front provide a contrasting backdrop for his adventures,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771043805
• ISBN13: 9780771043802
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Hysterical, cynical and thoughtful.

The Bandy papers are a well constructed, well researched and thouroughly enjoyably series of books, which highlight not only the folly of war in general, but the absolute insanity of the first world war. While the books leave you chortling and giggling, they also fill you with a sense of horror that such things could take place in the name of western civilization, and if history is written by the victors, General Haig was damn lucky the allies won, because these books alone prove a case for war crimes of an immense scale. The whole ridiculous nature of upper class British society is lampooned mercilessly, and the motives, morals and values of the allies is questioned and found wanting. I would recommend these books to anyone - they are timeless and should be read over and over again.

A much under-rated work of classic humour - not to be missed

I was fortunate enough to by volumes 1 to 3 in the early seventies (paperback), and have read them again and again. The character Bartholomew Bandy was a masterful creation and I have despaired many times over the unavailability of these books - particular as my copies are now showing their age. How I wish the series would be reprinted in the U.K. - and given full media coverage. The series began, I believe, as a radio series in Canada - now probably lost in the mists of time. Donald Jacks is a comic genius, and his creation will live with me forever. 'Three Cheers for Donald Jack'...

Funny, touching and memorable

I found this book as a used book in Canada and have searched for additional titles by Donald Jack for years. If any book series should be brought back, this is it.

Excellent - well written humour

I was given this book about 20 years ago. I found it to be incredibly funny - the kind of humour that would make you laugh out loud ages after having put the book down. This will sometimes cause you embarrassment in public places and give rise to "where has he escaped from" looks from surrounding people. Read this book!!

VERY funny, and historically accurate and interesting

I found this book in a Danish used bookstore in 1978. I bought it for two reasons: 1) it was in English, and 2) it had an illustration on the cover of two WWI fighters and I tend to like war stories. What I found was that it was hysterically funny! As I read it on the European trains, I had to keep leaving the compartment for the hallway so that I could laugh out loud without disturbing the other passengers. Over the years, I have collected as much Donald Jack as I could find, and each book is another installment in the continuing saga of a Canadian and his adventures in war, the world, and women. Mr. Jack has a keen eye for human foibles and presents them in such a way so that we can see some of ourselves in the behavior of the hero and the background players. I highly recommend anything by Donald Jack.