Once Upon a Wartime: A Canadian Who Survived the Devil's Brigade 2nd edition by Cottingham, Peter L. (1996) Paperback
Once Upon a Wartime: A Canadian Who Survived the Devil's Brigade 2nd edition by Cottingham, Peter L. (1996) Paperback
Overview
Cottingham's Once Upon A Wartime is a vivid and compelling account of the author's time as a member of the First Special Service Force (an elite international commando unit nicknamed 'The Devil's Brigade' during the second world war. It is most impressive in the way the author ia able to recall and record events in considserable detail yet still reflect (and write) with the kind of perspective which time lends. Once Upon A Wartime is both an engaging adve adventure story full of riveting episodes and colorful characters, and a mature, considered work showing profound understanding of the personal and social effects of international conflict. Despite this, Mr Cottingham does n does not aim to lecture his readership: this work is first and foremost a personal memoir, and a well-construct- ed and energetic one at that. His facinating, eventful life gives him ample material on which to draw, but it is his abilty to write in a lucid and entertaining manner that makes Once Upon A Wartime so successful.Evidently Mr. Cottingham is a natural communicator. The literary style he adopts is fluent and the tone of the manuscript - warm but not excessively intimate - entirely appropriate for a work of this nature. In short this is a professional, accomplished and consistently engrossing submission. --Angelina Anton - Minerva Press ReviewThis book is a very personal account of one man's war. Much of it is told in the style of a detailed and descript- ive report which war veterans in particular will appreciate. However, Mr. Cottingham's distinctive story teller voice reveals itself in such passages as "long lines of bodies waiting to be outfitted in the 'King's Burlap' as the uniforms were referred to. Or in another passage ".some idiot on one of the naval ships decided to fire a round from a very large calibre gun. That really started the old adrenalin flowing." And another.."we found ourselves cowering stricken while all around us there was burning armor, ... Mechanized Gladiators in a hellish melee of fire and steel and noise." War transforms for good or evil those who have been touched by it and does it often in a single day or even a single moment, Cottingham writes, "That was the night which changed our outlook on this world forever.:" It was probably on the night of horrifying shell fire when he and his comrads faced death not for moments but for "what seemed like an eternity-" that Cottingham changed from a young man full of bravado and the desire for adventure to the young man who, on returning home, was perceptive enough to write the following: "Upon siding up to the pier in Halifax, Nova Scotia those of us who had experi- enced the faces of war torn Britain and Europe could only stare in wonder at the worry free faces looking up from the crowd below us on the dock."Once Upon A Wartime was written for the author's family and descendants. It will also appeal to friends and old comrades. Veterans will read it and feel they are walking in their own shoes. Schools should use it, for although it is impossible to teach the meaning of war, like many impossible tasks it still needs to be attempted. --Margot Coulter - Neepawa Press Book ReviewDescription
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Overview
Cottingham's Once Upon A Wartime is a vivid and compelling account of the author's time as a member of the First Special Service Force (an elite international commando unit nicknamed 'The Devil's Brigade' during the second world war. It is most impressive in the way the author ia able to recall and record events in considserable detail yet still reflect (and write) with the kind of perspective which time lends. Once Upon A Wartime is both an engaging adve adventure story full of riveting episodes and colorful characters, and a mature, considered work showing profound understanding of the personal and social effects of international conflict. Despite this, Mr Cottingham does n does not aim to lecture his readership: this work is first and foremost a personal memoir, and a well-construct- ed and energetic one at that. His facinating, eventful life gives him ample material on which to draw, but it is his abilty to write in a lucid and entertaining manner that makes Once Upon A Wartime so successful.Evidently Mr. Cottingham is a natural communicator. The literary style he adopts is fluent and the tone of the manuscript - warm but not excessively intimate - entirely appropriate for a work of this nature. In short this is a professional, accomplished and consistently engrossing submission. --Angelina Anton - Minerva Press ReviewThis book is a very personal account of one man's war. Much of it is told in the style of a detailed and descript- ive report which war veterans in particular will appreciate. However, Mr. Cottingham's distinctive story teller voice reveals itself in such passages as "long lines of bodies waiting to be outfitted in the 'King's Burlap' as the uniforms were referred to. Or in another passage ".some idiot on one of the naval ships decided to fire a round from a very large calibre gun. That really started the old adrenalin flowing." And another.."we found ourselves cowering stricken while all around us there was burning armor, ... Mechanized Gladiators in a hellish melee of fire and steel and noise." War transforms for good or evil those who have been touched by it and does it often in a single day or even a single moment, Cottingham writes, "That was the night which changed our outlook on this world forever.:" It was probably on the night of horrifying shell fire when he and his comrads faced death not for moments but for "what seemed like an eternity-" that Cottingham changed from a young man full of bravado and the desire for adventure to the young man who, on returning home, was perceptive enough to write the following: "Upon siding up to the pier in Halifax, Nova Scotia those of us who had experi- enced the faces of war torn Britain and Europe could only stare in wonder at the worry free faces looking up from the crowd below us on the dock."Once Upon A Wartime was written for the author's family and descendants. It will also appeal to friends and old comrades. Veterans will read it and feel they are walking in their own shoes. Schools should use it, for although it is impossible to teach the meaning of war, like many impossible tasks it still needs to be attempted. --Margot Coulter - Neepawa Press Book ReviewDescription
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Oops!
Sorry, it looks like some products are not available in selected quantity.
