John McCrae: eyond Flanders Fields

by Susan Raby-Dunne

Most Canadians are familiar with John McCrae through his iconic poem “In Flanders Fields,” which was penned on the battlefields of the First World War and remains a symbol of remembrance to this day. Although he will always be remembered as a war poet, the Guelph, Ontario, native was a physician, a university professor, and a veteran of the Second Boer War before he ever laid eyes on the carnage at Flanders Fields. Citing rarely seen diary entries and letters, as well as never-before-published photos of McCrae’s early life, military historian and McCrae enthusiast Susan Raby-Dunne tells the complete story of John McCrae—a man whose final chapter of life made him immortal, but who accomplished so much and helped so many in the decades before.

144 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2016

Reviews

[Bernie Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

To anyone familiar with the commonwealth countries, Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day. Armistice Day at its inception. I remember in my early school years on this date we would all assemble and recite the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields” during ceremonies. It has stuck with me forever. I have a copy framed in my home and I also had it painted on my motorcycle. That said, I hardly knew anything of the author himself. Being Canadian, I needed to change that. This little bio came across my library searches and was just calling out to me.
The novel was short and concise and Ms. Rabi-Dunne does a good job of recreating the times of Mr. McCrae. This book doesn’t delve too deeply into the origins of poem but rather the man who penned the most recognizable war poem. This book was a quick read but also quite informative about the Lieutenant colonel who become a Canadian icon. From his scholastic years at McGill University to his passion with animals and of course his musings about being at the front with his comrades this is a touching look at a special man.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course, I knew the poem In Flanders Fields, but knew very little about the author. This short work told me a lot. John Mccrae was a very talented doctor and was a great loss to humanity, as so many who died in The Great War.

[Mila Mikhail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the life and legacy of John McCrae, complete with photos and excerpts from diary entries. However, this book is not much more than an overview of the facts of Jack’s life. For those who are already acquainted with the man, this book has disappointingly not much more to add. Nonetheless, if it’s your first taste of the world of John McCrae, this book is a good basic biography that can be read in one sitting.