Merry Hell: The Story of the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919

‘I enjoyed reading every page of Merry Hell – couldn’t put it down, really. Part history and part memoir, it is a singular contribution to our knowledge of the First World War and those who fought it. Anyone who calls himself or herself a First World War historian will read this book with a smile of satisfaction on their face – it just rings true and genuine, and is more immediate than existing studies. And for those who haven’t read much on the First World War, at least at the battalion history level, this will be a revelation.’ Steve Harris, Chief Historian, Directorate of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence

‘An amazing book… Merry Hell is unique because it gives a complete history of the unit… An invaluable addition to the literature of the war and Nova Scotia’s role in it.’

John Boileau, The Chronicle Herald September 2013

‘Canadians everywhere, and not just those of us in Nova Scotia, owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Clements for writing this book – and to Brian Tennyson for placing it so resolutely in the public realm. This is a work permitting us to see with searing clarity the vile nature and devastating toll of modern warfare.’

Wilf Cude, The Antigonish Review #180

‘This is a useful contribution to our understanding of the experiences of that generation of young Canadians who marched off to war 100 years ago.’

Patrick Brennan, University of Toronto Quarterly vol 84:03:2015

‘Merry Hell is a well written book that can be used for casual reading or academic study... It is rare to come across such a book, especially in the study of history.’

Erich N. Lenz, Canadian Military History vol 25:01:2016