BOOK REVIEW: Spencer, Medals

[Ed_Haynes]

William Spencer, Medals: The Researcher's Guide ([Kew;} The National Archives, [2006]; 224 pp.; ISBN 7-903365-63-5; ?19.99)

When ordering books, sight unseen, one is so often surprised. And usually not surprised positively. Catalogue descriptions often leave some details missing and I have often been disappointed when upwrapping the latest library addition. When I ordered this, I expected one of those old familiar PRO (now "National Archives" soft-cover pamphets such as "Army Service Records of the First World War" (by Fowler et al.).

Boy, was I ever surprised when Spencer's book arrived!

Spencer, a medal collector himself and military history specialist at the PRO for his entire career, has produced a book that is both phyically impressive (hardbound, coated paper, well illustrated in black and white and colour, filled with both examples of documents and eye-candy of medals) and immensely valuable. He surveys every award, avery era, and provides concrete real-world information on what records exist at the NA, with examples supported by case studies. We learn what records exist, how to get them, and how to use and read them; for example, the arcane mysteries of deciphering a WWII MIC card are explained in articulate and useful detail. While most of his focus is on awards of specifically "British" interest, there is more than enough here to satisfy collectors within the wider sphere of "the Empire". If, now, we had a companion volume for the India Office Records (presently incarcerated at the British Library), our research guides for UK-based research work would be complete.

Even if you have never worked and never plan to work personally at the NA, this is a must-have book. Knowing "what can be known" allows you to plan what is feasible. I would certainly not explore the computerised catagogue to the NA (which also allows online ordering of xeroxes or PDF files) without several hours spent in this book. Any first-timer at the NA would be, to put it bluntly, a fool not to consult this book before their arrival. And, speaking personally, I have worked there on a number of happy occasions and so wish that this book had been available before my first trip; even as a NA veteran of sorts, I am sure my next trip will be immensely simplified because of Spencer's work.

Simply put: A must-have book!!

Edited October 31, 2006 by Ed_Haynes

[Riley1965]

Ed,

Where did you find your copy? I searched Amazon.com with no luck just his 2001 WWI service records book.

Doc

[Ed_Haynes]

Ed,

Where did you find your copy? I searched Amazon.com with no luck just his 2001 WWI service records book.

Doc

I got mine from Token Publishing (the Medal News and MYB folks), but the NA has it too.

[deptfordboy]

Thanks for the review Ed, I have been considering this as a purchase for a while but will now definitely take the plunge and add it to my list for Santa!

Gilbert

[Riley1965]

Thanks Ed!!! This is one I'll get BTW What is NA?

Best,

Doc

[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks Ed!!! This is one I'll get BTW What is NA?

Best,

Doc

NA = [british] National Archives (the archive previously known as the Public Record Office) at Kew

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/