From the first book of Moorehead's, that I read, Gallipolli, I became a fan of his style, detail, and insight. After the first chapter, the narrative unfolds as a modest telling about Moorehead himself, his main focus is on his closest friend and colleague, and their many years together, their warm relationship, and an unfinished life.
One questions why Moorehead did not talk more about his wife, considering their long marriage. That is until you read the notes accompanying the book, and that is where the true tragedy unfolds. Moorehead was never able to finish his biography, his wife had to complete it for him. For a mind so active and aware, a stroke left him paralyzed for the last 20 years of his life, including watching his beloved wife die without being able to do anything about it.
Moorehead's work garnered my respect, but his humanity put him in a class of his own. After reading this book, I could not revel in the former without thinking of the latter.
