Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

History HubΒ  permalink

First World War reading material

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by walrus (U1806512) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  My interest has always lay in the area of medieval european history - in fact I get nose bleeds if I stray beyond the the 15th century. However, recently I have became fascinated by the events of The Great War but my problem is I don't know where to start. I would be be grateful if someone could suggest 3 or 4 titles that deal with not only the high politics of the war, but also the kind of decisions and tactics the generals were deploying, and the conditions that the 'ordinary' soldier might encounter. Incidentally, the books don't have to be about the winners.
  Thank you in anticipation

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by JB on a slippery slope to the thin end ofdabiscuit (U13805036) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  The "Classic" military history was by Basil Liddlell Hart., although John Keegan or Martin Gilbert may be more up to date with the scholarship.
  
  For a medievalist, Barbara Tuchman who wrote "A Distant Mirror" about the 14th century also wrote the widely praised "Guns of August" about the eve and causes of the war.
  

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by jenny (U14149730) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  Not sure how available it is, but the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ series on the Great War from about twenty-thirty years ago is an excellent intro as I recall. can't remember what it was called (Possibly 'The Great War'??!!) I think Michael Redgrave did the narration?
  
  I seem to remember anothr v. good TV series (and possibly book as well) called The Fall of Eagles, which again traces the collapse of the European monarchies of Germany, A-H and Russia because of the Great War.

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Mutatis_Mutandis (U8620894) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  I recommend "Pyrrhic Victory" by Robert A. Doughty, which (as the subtitle says) is about "French strategy and operations in the Great War." It also covers the complex and often difficult relations between the French and their allies.
  
  
  

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by cloudyj (U1773646) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  Hew Strachan's "The First World War" is very good and quite short.

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by PaulRyckier (U1753522) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  Jenny,
  
  "The Fall of the Eagles"
  
  
  Kind regards and with frowing esteem,
  
  Paul.

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message6

• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by PaulRyckier (U1753522) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  Correction after three minutes waiting time:
  
  "growing" of course

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message7

• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by alanpatten (U1866183) on Monday, 20th June 2011

  With the greatest of respect might I suggest that before reading about the war, read a couple of books about the events leading up to the war. This will give you a greater understanding of the war itself.
  
  Two books that spring to mind are:-
  
  Dreadnought by Robert K Massie, and
  The Twelve Days by G. M. Thomson.
  
  There are of course many more.
  
  Regards.................Alan

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message8

• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by walrus (U1806512) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011

  Thanks very much for all your suggestions, particularly to alanpatten for reminding me that the 'why' question is often the most important and the most difficult to answer. Otherwise I will look into all of your recommendations.
  Thanks again.
  

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message9

• Message 10

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by jenny (U14149730) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011

  Paul - that's the one, thank you. The only actor I can really remember being in it is Captain Picard playing Lenin!
  
  I'd also forgotten it went so far back into the mid-19th C.
  
  It really ought to be aired again on national TV - ideal for the UK's freeview Yesterday history channel, which shows a lot of 'old stuff' that wouldn't pass muster in terms of visual quality these days (made on film or VT or whatever technology hasn't lasted too well and rather shows up - even episodes of Sharpe now look very 'faded' visually alas.)
  
  It's idea for any schoolchildren studying this period (as I did) though I daresay they won't be as enthralled as grownups are (who, now we don't have to do exams, actually find studying a very enjoyable leisure activity!!!!!)
  
  Regards, Jenny

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message10

• Message 11

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Allan D (U1791739) on Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

  There are 2 books I would absolutely recommend as very easy to read for anyone starting out on this topic as well as anyone else interested that deal with debunking the many myths that still surround WWI
  
  Firstly, Gordon Corrigan's excellent "Mud, Blood and Poppycock" that deals with the conduct of the war especially as it relates to the British Army which shows up the image of bone-headed generals, uninterested in the welfare of the troops and driving them into battle with the threat of mass executions for cowardice for the total invention it is.
  
  Secondl;y, David Fromkin's "Europe's Last Summer: Why We Went to War in 1914" that deals with the causes of the war and debunks the myth that WWI started 'accidentally' and in the words of the magistrate in "Albert and the Lion", "noone was really to blame".
  
  Both books have excellent bibliographies for further reading.

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message11

• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by walrus (U1806512) on Friday, 24th June 2011

  Thanks, Allan D. I have just borrowed "Mud, Blood and Poppycock" and Keegan's "The First World War" tome from the library so that will keep me busy for a while.
  Once again, thanks to all for all your suggestions.
  Walrus.

  Link to this forum: First World War reading material

  Report message12

Back to top