Book: The Apathetic and Defiant: Case Studied of Canadian Mutiny and Disobedience, 1812-1919.

During my research regarding Lieutenant Colonel Charles Sydney Woodrow my Google search happened about a book titled “The Apathetic and Defiant: Case Studied of Canadian Mutiny and Disobedience, 1812-1919.” edited by Craig L. Mantle.

My interest in the 18th Battalion was not related to the passage involving Lt.-Col. Woodrow but there was a wonderful paragraph about Major Charles Edward Sale regarding his care and consideration of one of his soldiers after receiving a heart-wrenching photograph of the soldier’s child in a coffin. In addition, there are some interesting charts regarding acts of disobedience in relation to the battalions of the 2nd Division that pertain to the 18th.

I read 3 chapters already and the book is a valuable tool in understanding the social context of being a soldier and resisting or protesting certain conditions. The chapter about disobedience in Canada, particularly in Berlin [Kitchener], Ontario was particularly relevant since I am from Waterloo Region. Look for several blog posts in the future based, in part, from the insights gained from this book.

The forward outlines how each section is broken down and what are of focus it covers. It should be noted that there are 2 other books from Dundurn Press. The Unwilling and the Reluctant: Theoretical Perspectives on Disobedience in the Military (Canadian Defence Academy Press) and The Insubordinate and the Noncompliant: Case Studies in Canadian Mutiny and Disobedience, 1920 to Present are also available and will be of interest.

The book is available via hard copy, ebook via Android, Kindle, and iBooks and well worth adding to any library for those interested in Canadian Military history.