Memory Hold-the-Door
Encyclopedia
Memory Hold-the-Door is the 1940 autobiography of John Buchan. It was published in the United States
under the title Pilgrim's Way.
John Buchan died in February 1940, and Memory Hold-the Door was published posthumously. The author states clearly in the preface that this personal memoir is not intended as an autobiography per se, given, for example, the lack of objective references. The book recounts Buchan's life of public service, his literary work from his early days in the Scottish Highlands through his years at Oxford, and his service in both Britain's Boer campaign and World War I (the latter, as Britain's Director of Intelligence and Information for the War Cabinet), before covering his years in Parliament, and appointment as Governor General of Canada. Of particular interest are Buchan's personal profiles of such contemporaries as Lord Grey, Lord Oxford, Raymond Asquith, Lord Haldane, Earl Balfour, Lord French, Sir Henry Wilson, Lord Haig, Lord Byng of Vimy, T.E. Lawrence, and King George V.
Pilgrim's Way (as it was called in America) was said to be John F. Kennedy
's favourite book. A list of Kennedy's favourite books given to Life
magazine in 1961 was headed by Buchan's Montrose, and another list sent out upon request to various libraries during National Library Week
was headed by David Cecil's Lord Melbourne, but there is no evidence that either of these lists placed the books in order of preference. Kennedy urged anyone he wanted to understand him to read Pilgrim's Way, and often quoted passages from it to friends and associates whom he regarded as equally appreciative of fine prose.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
under the title Pilgrim's Way.
John Buchan died in February 1940, and Memory Hold-the Door was published posthumously. The author states clearly in the preface that this personal memoir is not intended as an autobiography per se, given, for example, the lack of objective references. The book recounts Buchan's life of public service, his literary work from his early days in the Scottish Highlands through his years at Oxford, and his service in both Britain's Boer campaign and World War I (the latter, as Britain's Director of Intelligence and Information for the War Cabinet), before covering his years in Parliament, and appointment as Governor General of Canada. Of particular interest are Buchan's personal profiles of such contemporaries as Lord Grey, Lord Oxford, Raymond Asquith, Lord Haldane, Earl Balfour, Lord French, Sir Henry Wilson, Lord Haig, Lord Byng of Vimy, T.E. Lawrence, and King George V.
Pilgrim's Way (as it was called in America) was said to be John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
's favourite book. A list of Kennedy's favourite books given to Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine in 1961 was headed by Buchan's Montrose, and another list sent out upon request to various libraries during National Library Week
National Library Week
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the United States each April, typically the second full week. The first National Library Week was held March 6–12, 1966.-External links:* from the American...
was headed by David Cecil's Lord Melbourne, but there is no evidence that either of these lists placed the books in order of preference. Kennedy urged anyone he wanted to understand him to read Pilgrim's Way, and often quoted passages from it to friends and associates whom he regarded as equally appreciative of fine prose.