Ginger Mick

C. J. Dennis

Synopsis

Ginger Mick was a likeable rogue who, before he answered the call to arms, sold fresh rabbits in the streets of Melbourne. This book tells of his tender love for Rose and his wartime experiences in North Africa and Gallipoli. The verse is full of humour and pathos and truly captures the spirit of the men in the 1st AIF.

The Moods of Ginger Mick was written during the early years of World War One when Australian nationalism was at its peak and appeared in the year following Dennis's enormous and immediate success with The Songs of the Sentimental Bloke.

In addition to two overseas editions, Ginger Mick, as this book is commonly called, sold over 70,000 copies in its first four years. A special ‘pocket version for the troops’ was reprinted four times.

The original book consists of 15 verse stories, seven have been selected here to provide a glimpse into the character and experiences of WWI diggers.