The Prison Diary of A.C. Barrington

The Prison Diary of A.C. BarringtonDiscover a powerful narrative in 'The Prison Diary of A. C. Barrington.' This remarkable memoir details the experiences of A. C. (Archie) Barrington, a prominent New Zealand pacifist imprisoned during World War II for his beliefs. In 1941, Barrington was incarcerated in Mount Crawford Prison, where he cleverly documented his thoughts and observations in an illicit diary, scrawled in the margins of books. Years later, his son John Pratt stumbled upon

Discover a powerful narrative in 'The Prison Diary of A.C. Barrington.' This remarkable memoir details the experiences of A.C. (Archie) Barrington, a prominent New Zealand pacifist imprisoned during World War II for his beliefs. In 1941, Barrington was incarcerated in Mount Crawford Prison, where he cleverly documented his thoughts and observations in an illicit diary, scrawled in the margins of books.Years later, his son John Pratt stumbled upon the diary, meticulously reconstructing this rare piece of history. Accounts like Barrington's are exceptionally scarce, as prisoners were traditionally forbidden from keeping any records; many were deprived of literacy as well. This powerful memoir paints a vivid picture of the dismal prison conditions, the exhausting labor, and the biting cold that echoed through daily life in Mount Crawford. Barrington's narrative delves into the sense of solidarity amongst fellow pacifists, navigating the challenges of confinement with resilience. John Pratt not only edits this poignant diary but also offers compelling commentary on the broader implications of Barrington's experiences, questioning why New Zealand, known for its egalitarian ethos, was so intolerant towards dissent. Barrington's story is a crucial reflection on intolerance and punishment within the context of New Zealand's 'friendly' reputation. Ideal for history enthusiasts, collectors of rare memoirs, and those interested in the civil rights movement, this paperback edition is a significant literary contribution. Join us in exploring this unique perspective on New Zealand's past and the themes of freedom and human rights that resonate today. The book measures 150 x 230 mm and contains 280 pages, offering a gripping reading experience. Order your copy today and relive the history that shaped a nation.

CONDITION: Brand New
Dimensions: 150 x 230 mm
Pages: 280
Bind: paperback
Author: John Pratt Publisher: Otago University Press
Publication Date: 19-02-2016

A.C. (Archie) Barrington was a leading New Zealand pacifist during World War 2. Incarcerated in Mount Crawford Prison for his beliefs in 1941, he kept an illicit diary, scrawled in the margins of books. Many years later his son John happened across the diary and painstakingly reconstructed it. Such documents are exceptionally rare – until recent times prisoners were not allowed to keep any record of their experiences and many were illiterate anyway. Barrington vividly and compellingly recorded the squalid, rundown conditions, monotonous and exhausting labour, the intense cold from which there was little protection, and the strategies he and his fellow pacifists adopted to enable them to cope with prison life. John Pratt has edited the diary and provides a fascinating commentary on the issues it raises in relation to prison life then and now. He also addresses a fundamental question – what were Barrington and his like doing in prison, when similar expressions of dissent would almost certainly have been ignored in Australia or Britain? Why was New Zealand, with its ‘fair go’, egalitarian reputation, so intolerant and punitive? Pratt chronicles a history of intolerance, suspicion and deep-seated antipathies that may go some way towards explaining the current penal saturation in this ‘friendly’ land.

We are happy to combine shipping. Smartfox is a NZ owned business located in Auckland. This product is in stock in NZ which means no unexpected import charges, custom duty or tax.