'Monday 20th December
?Au dessus de la m?l?e? ? (Romain Rolland).
This is the first time I have managed to get hold of this book. Mother was very friendly with Madeleine Rolland, the author?s sister, during our stay in Paris, during the war. I find it interesting, but only as a good sketch of fine pacifist thought, but even more as a vivid reproduction of that almost forgotten period ? the war ? and the extraordinary chaos in which mind and intellect were swallowed up over three quarters of Europe.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'Wednesday 22 December.
I have just finished ?Au dessus de la M?l?e?. It revives all my anger at the treacherous laziness of those who experienced the war, in failing to preach the gospel of ?never? again. Why, why do we let the governments go on? Secret diplomacy, concession hunting, financial wrangling. Calculated ?inspiring? of the press. It is horrible. I used to believe the Press to be sincere, if misguided. But I have been reading the ?Mail? lately, and the easily recognizable note of sincerity is absolutely lacking.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'30th September 1928 (Sunday)
We saw the Clichy party to their tram, then [illegible] Henry and I had a coffee at the Express du Havre and finally parted for home at 11.45. A good day. I brought away the 1st book of Romain Rolland?s ?Jean Christophe? and devoured half of it before going to sleep.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'1st October 1928 (Monday).
Dug further into ?Jean Christophe? in the Luncheon hour. Am thoroughly enjoying this great book. I hope the other volumes are as good as ?L?Aube? though Mme. Bisseux thinks not.
?Jean Christophe? (1st ?L?Aube?) Romain Rolland'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'2nd September 1928 (Tuesday)
Sunday?s ?Observer? suggests a clean break with the line of diplomatic action brought to light by the revelations regarding the Anglo-French naval pact. Even the old ?Observer? admits that England has only just missed dealing the foulest blow at the cause of international peace since the war. America is wholly on the qui vive now especially as the Presidential elections are in full swing and the pact is getting the fullest possible publicity. It is curious that their note on the subject should be so restrained. Either they are in earnest in their pacifist pretensions or they are so sure of the failure of any negotiation that they are willing to risk a big bluff. England has not come off very well out of either the League session or the Pact fiasco so let?s hope that Chamberlain?s diplomacy has suffered a final setback.
[...]
Finished Rolland?s book.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'Monday, 15th October 1928
?Vie de Tolstoy? (Romain Rolland)'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'17th February 1929 (Sunday).
After a long and very cosy dinner I started for home. I missed the train owing to my having to climb the great gate as B. had forgotten his key. Stayed in a little caf? until 11.35, and then home very tired. I brought away (Jean Christophe)? ?Les Amis?. This is the second of this series which I have read.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'24th February 1929 (Sunday)
Finished reading ?Les Amis? before luncheon. Rolland is the most ?beautiful? writer I know and this book is as good as his best. I would like to have all his works and to read the whole of this ?Jean Christophe? series.
After luncheon I read ?Dorian Gray? for a while, then a light tea, and off to Levallois. Stopped at Gare St. Lazare for my papers, ?Le Temps?, ?Observer? and ?Monde?.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore Print: Book
'Years afterwards, I was to discover the "Declaration of the Independence of the Mind" issued to his fellow brain-workers by the French writer, Romain Rolland, from Villeneuve in 1919.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vera Brittain Print: Unknown
'Fine all day, sunny but cold. Mr Henriez, vice consul at Aleppo and at Mosul is on board, going to take up his post at Alexandria. Reading "Jean Christophe" — most excellent. '
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
