Eugene P Ryan, the editor, has clearly approached the task of presenting his grandfather's papers with a realistic view of their readability and the amount of material available, providing historical, contextual and biographical notes, often from primary sources that allow the general reader to place the detail in the course of wider events. Haig himself, in his diaries, writes in a longer style and is quoted extensively in this book, as are other Headquarters staff, cross-referencing and giving context to Ryan's papers. Occasionally reiterating the same point, but always informative, the editor weaves a detailed narrative that is clearly the result of extensive research and personal interest...

... Throughout, the editor has taken pains to draw out every reference to Ryan's relationship with Haig, which encompasses looking after his wife, children and “bullying” Haig into taking rest breaks during the height of the war. One is left with an impression of a friendship that was based on absolute trust and faith in each other's professional abilities.

Eugene P Ryan has made a useful contribution to the canon of works relating to senior officers in the war and has provided more material for those particularly interested in Haig. As an insight into the management Royal Army Medical Corps, it provides a tantalising glimpse into an under-researched area. He has navigated skilfully the twin demands of presenting and interpreting a primary historical source whilst interpreting it for the reader, all the while retaining the integrity of the original materials.

Stand-Easy - Chris Stevenson

Eugene ‘Micky’ Ryan had a long and distinguished career with the Royal Army Medical Corps, seeing active service in the South African War as well as the First World War. He met Douglas Haig in 1912, and in December 1916 was made his personal Medical Officer, treating not only Haig but his family as well. The two men developed a close bond that was to last until Haig’s death in 1928. Ryan was a prolific writer during the war, sending regular letter homes as well as keeping a personal diary. These form the basis of this book...

...The letters and diary entries paint a personal, first-hand picture of Haig that can be difficult to glean from other sources...

...This is an interesting book and one that can deservedly claim to be ‘unique’ amongst the veritable flood of memoirs and personal accounts currently available. As well as depicting a more personal side of Douglas Haig that challenges some of the preconceptions that are often held about him, the book also provides an interesting account of one man’s war and how he conveyed his wartime experiences to his family back home..

WW1 Geek

As featured in The Irish Times.

The Irish Times

I found “Haig’s Medical Officer” a good and very interesting read. It is well illustrated with copies of extracts from the diary and other documents, together with many portrait photographs and images of places both contemporary and modern. In particular there are some very good images of 18 Casualty Clearing Station at Lapugnoy when Ryan was there. Inevitably an editor of a diary has to explain some background and context, and grandson Eugene does this well, without swamping the original text.

Very nicely edited, well produced and well worth reading.

The Long, Long Trail