This is the extraordinary story of the English poet Randall Swingler, godson of the Archbishop of Canterbury, communist, librettist, publisher, propagandist, poet and war-hero. It is a book about the Second World War and the story of the African and Italian campaigns, recorded uniquely through the eyes of the ordinary soldier. It is a case study of the intellectual consequences of the Cold War in Britain, McCarthyism and Zhdanovism. Croft's retelling of Randall Swingler's life from comfortable childhood and public school through to crushing penury will appeal to cultural, political and literary historians.<br>


Randall Swingler MM (May 28, 1909 – 1967) was an English poet, writing extensively in the 1930s in the communist interest.
He operated in North London, as a close associate of Nancy Cunard, sometimes lending his name. He was one of the organisers of the covert Writer's Group of the late 1930s, attempting to co-ordinate a 'literary policy' of the Left. He was involved also in work for the Unity Theatre.
His was a prosperous middle class Anglican family near Nottingham, with an industrial background in the Midlands. He served with the British Army in Italy in World War II, joining as a private soldier, and being awarded the Military Medal.