Ordeal by Battle (eBook)

Frederick Scott Oliver (1864–1934) was a British writer, businessman, and publicist, noteworthy for his contributions to political and economic thought during the early 20th century. His seminal work, 'Ordeal by Battle', published in 1915, offers a contemplation on the First World War that blends a meticulous historical perspective with introspective analysis, an exemplar of his erudite and often prescient commentary on contemporary events. Oliver's literary style in 'Ordeal by Battle' exhibits a rich narrative, grounded in the realism of wartime rigor and the ideals of national and moral duty. As a prominent figure, he served as director of the armaments firm Armstrong Whitworth during the war and was passionate about political reform, advocating for the transformation of the British Empire into a federated state to ensure effective governance and to meet the challenges of modernity. His insights, though anchored in the historical context of his time, reflect a broader concern for the endurance of civil society amid the calamities of conflict, and this theme resonates throughout his work, securing his legacy as a reflective author and an astute observer of the human condition and societal structures.