World War 1 book recommendations

sneakysix

sneakysix

Member
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Location
Winnipeg
Hey guys

I'm signed up for the WW1 Battlefield tour with Ian from Forgotten weapons this fall.

My problem is that while I have read many books about WW1, I have vastly more knowledge and books from other wars and periods of time.

I am looking to read 5-10 more books before I go to learn more about the war. I've read many of the Canadian specific WW1 books already. And just finished A World Undone by GJ Meyer.

Have been looking at Churchill's 5 Volume the World Crisis, but I have read that its can be just Winstons side of things.

Ideally there is a some (even much older!) multivolume work that covers the entire war?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!!
 
Do not miss *All Quiet on the Western Front* by Enrique Maria Remarke. It's a classic. He is German but it gives a a thoughtful perspective. Multi-volume works have their place but to my mind, individual stories are more important. I lost two great-uncles in WW1, one with the PPCLI at Passchendaele and the other with 57 Squadron RAF shot down near Arras. Fortunately my grandfather survived or I would not be here.
 
I hate giving suggestions, because everyone loves to shred suggestions, but here you go,,,,,,,,

Don't go crazy trying to find as much information on the whole war that you can find.

You will come away with fragmented bits n pieces.

Pick a Regiment - Battalion that is close to heart with you and follow them from the beginnings to end.

The best way is if you have a family connection with someone who served.

I'm not saying, don't look at anything else, but don't overload yourself. (Information Overload)

It is a wonderful feeling trying to piece together and to follow someones footsteps.

I have spent a lot of time in the Battlefields of France and Belgium.

My Great Uncle served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles.

I am also on a quest trying to revive the service of the Canadian Postal Corps in the Great War.

Last November was my 18th trip to the Battlefields, where I laid a wreath on behalf of Canada Post Corporation (Canadian Postal Corps) in Mons, Belgium at the 100th Anniversary, as well in 2017, I laid a wreath at the Vimy 100th.

I have taken many pictures of forgotten Canadian graves in which I hand out to people to research them.

That way, their memory lives on.

I just watched Ian's video on the trip, yowzah, you guys will be moving quick.

 
Last edited:
"Ghosts have Warm Hands" by Wil Bird.
I found this book at the book shop at Juneau Beach in May this year. I had been looking for it for a while, not realizing that it had been re-printed under a new title.
It was originally entitled "And we go on"
It is a memoir/diary. First hand account from a soldier who survived the trenches.
Highly recommended.
 
Brno8x57 said:
"Ghosts have Warm Hands" by Wil Bird.
I found this book at the book shop at Juneau Beach in May this year. I had been looking for it for a while, not realizing that it had been re-printed under a new title.
It was originally entitled "And we go on"
It is a memoir/diary. First hand account from a soldier who survived the trenches.
Highly recommended.
Click to expand...

Good book...……..I recommend...….
 
"There's a Devil in the Drum" by John F. Lucy.
True story of a young Irishman and his brother who join up and their experiences in Europe during the war. Very well written.
 
One of the best WW1 books I've ever read is The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman. And for $11 on Amazon or Chapter Indigo you can't really go wrong. Might be even cheaper for eReader if you want to go that route.
:cheers:
 
Brno8x57 said:
"Ghosts have Warm Hands" by Wil Bird.
I found this book at the book shop at Juneau Beach in May this year. I had been looking for it for a while, not realizing that it had been re-printed under a new title.
It was originally entitled "And we go on"
It is a memoir/diary. First hand account from a soldier who survived the trenches.
Highly recommended.
Click to expand...

I decided to add to the thread...but saw this ^ and plan on trying to track that one down!

My suggestion would be a book called "Generals Die in Bed" by Charles Yale Harrison. Small/short book first printed in 1930, and was apparently very controversial for how honest/gritty a portrayal of trench warfare it was. I got it a few year ago, and have read it before Remembrance Day each year since. I have a hard time finding books that hold my attention, but I was incredibly moved by this soldier's account. I haven't seen/read anything that painted such a vivid picture of trench warfare as this book did, or seems to.
 
Try,

The Price of Glory - Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne
Somme by Lyn Macdonald
Surviving Trench Warfare by Bill Rawling
Welcome to Flanders Fields by Daniel G. Dancocks - Canadians at Ypres, 1915
At the Sharp End by Tim Cook
Shock Troops by Tim Cook
Legacy of Valour by Daniel G. Dancocks - Canadians at Passchendaele

Of course the problem here is that you're going to run out of time to read - unless you're really fast -all the books mentioned, and they are all very good background material for your trip. All the best of luck to you.

I did a battlefield tour of Ortona the Gothic Line and the Rimini Line many years ago with 2 PPCLI. It was only a three day tour but it was led by one of the historians from RMC at the time. He was able to pass on enormous amounts of information and really enhanced the tour. Well worth the time over there and I'm sure you will enjoy your tour as much.
 
.22LRGUY said:
I decided to add to the thread...but saw this ^ and plan on trying to track that one down!

My suggestion would be a book called "Generals Die in Bed" by Charles Yale Harrison. Small/short book first printed in 1930, and was apparently very controversial for how honest/gritty a portrayal of trench warfare it was. I got it a few year ago, and have read it before Remembrance Day each year since. I have a hard time finding books that hold my attention, but I was incredibly moved by this soldier's account. I haven't seen/read anything that painted such a vivid picture of trench warfare as this book did, or seems to.
Click to expand...

The count of generals who were killed in action in WWI is rather higher than Harrison's title implies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom