The Anatomy of Courage

by Charles McMoran Wilson

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.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, History, War, Psychology, Military History, Science

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Peter Cawdron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moran was a doctor in the trenches during WWI and, later, personal physician to Winston Churchill. At a time when shell shock was just starting to emerge as a recognisable condition and not simply a sign of cowardice, Moran understood how vicious combat could be. He understood the wounds men carried out of that war were mental as well as physical. He understood the true nature of courage, which is more than facing a hail of bullets in some Hollywood-esque fashion. Although, at points, this book is difficult to read, it is a classic and memorable. Moran's depiction of being under attack by mustard gas is harrowing. And his analysis of soldiers under the pressure of combat is quite chilling.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1945, this book is a personal account and public question to what is the psychology of war. What is courage, fear and the wearing down of men and their pysches.

Why I started this book: Before my library went into lock down, I grabbed multiple titles from my Professional Reading list. This was the shortest, and I figured that I could read it quickly.

Why I finished it: It's short but dense, and I didn't whip thru it like I thought that I would. Moran alternates excerpts from his diary of WWI with his interviews with airmen from WWII to determine what it means to have courage, leadership and discipline. Interesting to get a peek behind the British stiff upper lip.

[Gunnar Esiason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. The Anatomy of Courage explores “shell shock” and the emotional stress of being a soldier during the First World War. Lord Moran is well ahead of his time with this read... he uses personal experiences, memories and conversations with soldiers through out the full ranks to answer his questions, where does courage come from, is a person’s courage infinite and what impacts a man’s courage at war? A good look at history through someone who lived it, written right as it was happening.

[Steve W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Moran served as a doctor in WW1 and then advised the Government in WW2. The book looks at courage and how we apply it, how long it lasts, and in the extremes of war how it can be managed. The book can be easily read by someone without a medical background. It’s not a long book and would recommend to anyone who wants to understand more about what makes us tick. Some of it is of its time, however, that doesn’t undermine its value.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Analysis/memoir from a WWI veteran, medical doctor, and ultimately personal physician to Winston Churchill.

The author breaks down the dynamics of fear and courage in clinical analysis as well as engaging anecdotes. Outside of combat it's one of the best ways to understand the way humans react to fear and how to treat it on the battlefield.

I'd be willing to bet 99% of the people - even those in the military - when asked would have the incorrect answers to almost every major question and strategy brought up in this book. Should be required reading for military leaders.

[Elh52 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on why some things happen in war; it's observations are based on Lord Moran's diary entries from World War I. Judging by the entries used as examples, I wish the diaries were the book published. Some of his mid-century English lingo is pretty arresting. He keeps referring to the yokel soldiers. As I understand it, yokel does not have quite the connotation in England it has in America. At least I hope not.

[Barrett Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent blend of psychological, medical, and personal perspectives about courage and behavior in combat. The four-star rating is due to the peculiar chronology: most of the material is based on the author's WW I experience but the book wasn't published until nearly the end of WW II. Nonetheless, a fascinating read.

[Abhay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seminal work on a subject very dear to all soldiers. What makes a man fight with courage. The writer has written about his personal experiences during the First World War as an RMO of one of the units. How he has seen good men get spent and wasted. He tries to find out what are those factors which would help a man fight with courage. Overall an interesting book.

[Jove · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British doctor's musing and observations about the effect of war on those fighting it, and potentially how to keep them from becoming "psychological casualties." Even though Moran would likely have been considered ahead of his times when he made them observations, he comes across as somewhat hardnosed in the modern era.

[ValeriZentsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic text on what we now call 'Combat Stress', the writing style may seem antiquated in places but the ideas are expressed with a seriousness, humility, and a depth of understanding.

Consequently though this book is built on century-old experiences it remains both relevant and insightful.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moran draws on his own experiences in WW1 as well as research to paint a picture of combat. He describes the experiences of battle by examining motivation, courage, fear, and what causes men to break down. An excellent book for sure understanding the psychological impact of combat on soldiers.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Anatomy of Courage, The Classic Study of the Soldier’s Struggle Against Fear” by Lord Moran
Aka Charles Wilson, 1st Baron Moran,
Published in 1945, “The Anatomy of Courage”, presented without footnotes or any other references, is the author’s thoughts on soldierly courage and draws upon his own experiences as Medical Officer of the First Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in the First World War combined with his observations during World War Two when he served as Winston Churchill’s personal physician. Lord Moran is the controversial author of “The Struggle for Survival” in which he recounted Winston Churchill’s overall mental and physical state during his years in high office – breaching in the opinion of many what should have been patient-doctor confidentiality. He also cited as source material for this latter book what were described as ‘detailed diaries’ kept during the war – except that it later emerged that he kept no such diaries. This point is relevant because he also cited diaries kept during World War One as the a source of this book. A contemporary of Winston Churchill, they appear based on this work to also share similar and rather ‘Victorian’ ideas about courage on the battlefield, its sources, its vulnerabilities, etc. Nevertheless, the essentially anecdotal information presented in this work remains useful for setting a baseline and foundation upon which more scientific and data driven works could build.

[Javierdelar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque tiene capítulos interesantes y muchos sucesos vividos en primera persona, no termina de cerrar conclusiones. Al menos yo no he terminado por sacar casi ninguna. El autor asoma un poco a lo terrorífico de una guerra mundial y como de los hombres menos esperados puedes encontrar valor. Si bien no para siempre en muchas ocasiones.
Lo puntuaría con un 3'5.

[Marco García Panizo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pesar de adolecer del rigor científico que se podría esperar, supone una muestra de primera mano de lo que un médico tuvo que ver y con lo que tuvo que lidiar a la hora de gestionar la salud y la conducta de sus hombres en el frente.

Fácil lectura.

[Lecturaconté · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena para adquirir conocimientos para saber sobrellevar situaciones límites que no dependen de nosotros mismas. A pesar del año en el que fue escrita y publicada es fácil y amena de leer. Si te interesan los temas psicológicos o estás en un periodo complicado es para ti.

[Rafelmenmell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me ha interesado poco. Aunque el tema de civiles lanzados a una guerra siempre me ha estremecido

[Shaleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illuminating and descriptive as only Charles Wilson can be, but such a dense read.

[Robert Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but interesting

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Referred to in the Ettie desborough biography
Dated ideas, sweeping generalisations about virtues and characters of various classes and races and what gave rise to them
But amazing first hand accounts of courage and leadership from his own experience of 2 wars

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it