A review by gingerreader99
Mine Were of Trouble by Peter Kemp

2.0

2.5 stars. This is worth reading if simply for the perspective it gives but the author for no fault of his own produces a painfully biased perspective. Y'know because he's fighting for Fascists. Reading between the lines makes things particular obvious the rose colored glasses Kemp is using while writing this account decades after it happens. Defining men he served alongside during the war as "good hearted" or "good natured" despite them gunning down men who had surrendered to them. Sure Kemp protested some of this but eventually accepts it (to my own disgust). Furthermore Kemp perhaps unknowingly demonizes the Republican side of the war while framing every encounter with people on the Nationalist side as being good and them being grateful for him fighting for their side. It should be noted and expected to be understood that both sides committed atrocities during the civil war. I couldn't help but notice that the majority of people he encountered we're either A) petty aristocrats in some form who very obviously would feel threatened by a communist government or B) peasants and volunteers who were likely serving for the Nationalists because wherever they were from supported that side first.

At the end of the day it's important to remember that Kemp willingly and happily volunteered to serve and fight for a Fascist regime and perhaps ironically would go on later to fight against one. I am glad this is again in print (other reviewers think leftists drove it from print to which I am thoroughly confused and laughed at) if only so that I could get this perspective of the war. I can't say I sympathize for the Nationalists however in any way shape or form and personally I agree with the father at the start of Kemp's story who tried to convince Kemp to not fight at all.