The Soldier's Art is the eighth novel in Anthony Powell's twelve-volume masterpiece A Dance to the Music of Time, and the second in the war trilogy.[1][2] The title is from the poem by Robert Browning, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, fifth line, “think first, fight afterwards – the soldier’s art.”
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| Author | Anthony Powell |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | James Broom-Lynne |
| Series | A Dance to the Music of Time |
| Publisher | Heinemann |
Publication date | 1966 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Preceded by | The Valley of Bones |
| Followed by | The Military Philosophers |
The Soldier's Art has been described as among the best novels about the British experience in the Second World War.[3]
The Soldier’s Art opens in 1941. Nick Jenkins’ Division is still in Northern Ireland. General Liddament takes an interest in Jenkins and arranges for him to see a Major Finn in London for a new post with the Free French, but Jenkins' French is not good enough. Jenkins returns to Divisional Headquarters.
In F Mess Charles Stringham is now a waiter. He and Jenkins speak in private about Robert Tolland’s death.
At the Divisional Headquarters Widmerpool, a major and the DAAG, learns he will be leaving the Division but will do nothing to help Jenkins find a post, Jenkins receives orders to London. [4]
It was published in 1966, and touches on themes of separation and unanticipated loss. It is dedicated to Powell's friend, the writer, Roy Fuller.[5]
- ^ Mcleod, Dan (1971). "Anthony Powell: Some Notes on the Art of the Sequence Novel". Studies in the Novel. 3 (1): 44–63. ISSN 0039-3827.
- ^ Stacey, Bernard. War Dance : A Glossary of the Military Terms and References in the War Trilogy Novels in Anthony Powell's "A Dance to the Music of Time." Greenford: Anthony Powell Society; 2017.
- ^ Schwarz, Benjamin. (2004). “Black Saturday.” The Atlantic Monthly Vol. 294 (September): 143-148.
- ^ The Soldier's Art Anthony Powell Society.
- ^ Jay, Mike. (2013) "Who Were the Dedicatees of Powell’s Works?" The Anthony Powell Society Newsletter.50 (spring): 9-10.