Goodbye to All That

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1929

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Goodbye to All That

Genre: Nonfiction; Autobiography; War Memoir
Originally Published: 1929
Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
Structure/Length: Approximate 347 pages; audiobook length approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes.
Central Concern: In Goodbye to All That, Robert Graves recounts his early life, his experiences as a young officer in World War I, and the war’s aftermath. The memoir paints a vivid portrait of the horrors of trench warfare and the disillusionment of a generation. While it captures the brutality and absurdities of war, it also provides glimpses into the literary and social circles of the early 20th century. The title reflects Graves’s disillusionment with England and his decision to leave for Spain, symbolizing a broader farewell to his youth and to the pre-war Edwardian world.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Graphic depictions of war and its casualties; discussions of trauma and mental health related to war experiences; scenes of societal upheaval and post-war challenges.

Robert Graves, Author

Bio: Born 1895; died 1985; British poet, novelist, critic, and classicist; served as a captain in the Royal Welch Fusiliers during WWI; renowned for his studies and translations of classical texts; his other notable works include historical novels set in ancient Rome, particularly the Claudius series.
Other Works: I, Claudius (1934); Claudius the God (1935); The White Goddess (1948); The Greek Myths (1955) and many more.