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Looking for a good book recommendation on WWI
4-15-2014 | Kosmickitty

Posted on 04/15/2014 4:18:24 PM PDT by KosmicKitty

After listening to one of my favorite podcaster, Dan Carlin & his Hardcore History, about the beginning of World War I, I would love to find out more about this time in history.

I know that Freepers are a well read bunch and I am asking for any recommendations you may care to make in a good book covering this time in history.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; History; Reference
KEYWORDS: 1stworldwar; firstworldwar; history; thegreatwar; worldwar1; worldwari; worldwarone; wwi
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To: KosmicKitty

I meant 1918 - oops


81 posted on 04/15/2014 5:50:33 PM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: Gefn

The Great Influenza by John Barry? Great read!


82 posted on 04/15/2014 5:56:49 PM PDT by gura (If Allah is so great, why does he need fat sexually confused fanboys to do his dirty work? -iowahawk)
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To: KosmicKitty
The First Day on the Somme

By Martin Middlebrook

83 posted on 04/15/2014 5:59:07 PM PDT by Qatar-6
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To: KosmicKitty
For a book on the aftermath of WWI, I would look for something on the "Bonus Army" and the treatment of veterans.

Not too many folks have read, of know of this but it is horrific what was perpetrated against WWI vets.

And the willingness of some to throw their Oath in the rubbish bin.

And "War Is A Racket," by Major General Smedley Butler, USMC 1935

84 posted on 04/15/2014 6:02:16 PM PDT by SERE_DOC ( “The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” TJ.)
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To: KosmicKitty

Ditto on the Massie books.

Also,

Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War by Max Hastings.

The Marne, 1914: The Opening of World War I and the Battle That Changed the World by Holger H. Herwig


85 posted on 04/15/2014 6:08:29 PM PDT by Skooz (Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us)
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To: allendale

For a really different perspective try John Terraine’s DOUGLAS HAIG: THE EDUCATED SOLDIER and/or Terraine’s shorter THE WESTERN FRONT 1914-1918. In both he defends the Brit from the usual comic book depiction as the butcher of the Western Front and argues that Haig was destined for victory while Napoleon was destined for defeat (citing the nature and abilities of both men).

For the Eastern Front others have recommended Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s AUGUST 1914. I love Solzhenitsyn’s philosophy of history and how certain short time periods are “knots” of incredible events and change such as another knot in November of 1916 (lead-up events to the October 1917 Revolution). In AUGUST 1914 Solzhenitsyn writes of a prewar schoolboy calling out to the elderly Leo Tolstoy and relates their reflections on philosophy and other exchanges of Russian home front thinking. It is not just the military maneuvers and the epic battle of Tannenberg. It is written like a novel but it is based upon true narratives and accounts that Solzhenitsyn collected.

In CANCER WARD Solzhenitsyn hit the top of his craft and the great Bethell and Burg translation makes the Engish version an easy read for an AS lengthy book. It is largely an autobiographical experience but goes again into the philosophy of life itself. I think it is his greatest work.


86 posted on 04/15/2014 6:08:42 PM PDT by Monterrosa-24 (...even more American than a French bikini and a Russian AK-47.)
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To: KosmicKitty
The Good Soldier Schweik, by Jaroslav Hasek. Hilarious book and a real classic. Just a fun read, but an interesting perspective from the common soldier's point of view.
87 posted on 04/15/2014 6:09:57 PM PDT by JHL
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To: gura

No, it was Flu by Gina Kolata, but I’m going to look up your book tomorrow.

Thanks!


88 posted on 04/15/2014 6:17:24 PM PDT by Gefn (All good kitties go to the Rainbow Bridge;Holly 2/1999-12/2013)
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To: allendale
WWI, 3rd Ypres photo 3rdBattleofYpres.jpg
89 posted on 04/15/2014 6:18:47 PM PDT by Monterrosa-24 (...even more American than a French bikini and a Russian AK-47.)
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To: KosmicKitty
Fall of Giants is a fiction by Ken Follett which is the first of a three part series, which the third is not out yet.

It provides (among other things) a very simple report of just how and why the assassination of the Archduke of Austria resulted in the Great War.

Easy reading and likely it will be made into some dramatization later as Follett has a huge following and often his books are made into TV series.

90 posted on 04/15/2014 6:19:42 PM PDT by Radix ("..Democrats are holding a meeting today to decide whether to overturn the results of the election.")
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To: KosmicKitty
Looking for a good book recommendation on WWI

Easy Question.
The Guns of August.
For me, The Zimmerman Telegram is a distant second.

91 posted on 04/15/2014 6:22:06 PM PDT by publius911 ( At least Nixon had the good g race to resign!)
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To: KosmicKitty

1913: In Search of the World Before the Great War by Charles Emmerson.

A very informative book about critical locales around the world and their political/social situations just before WWI. A fascinating read about a time period that gets little popular discussion.

92 posted on 04/15/2014 6:26:32 PM PDT by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1!)
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To: KosmicKitty

A Storm in Flanders: The Ypres Salient, 1914-1918: Tragedy and Triumph on the Western Front by Winston Groom — yes the Winston Groom who wrote Forrest Gump.

My others are already listed by others but I didn’t see that one mentioned previously. An yes, the WWI museum in Kansas City if you ever can.


93 posted on 04/15/2014 6:31:19 PM PDT by KC Burke (Officially since Memorial Day they are the Gimmie-crat Party.ha)
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To: KosmicKitty

While not specifically a WWI book, William Manchester’s, “The Arms of Krupp,” is a good read and gives a lot of insight into the mindset that brought about the war...


94 posted on 04/15/2014 6:32:27 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: workerbee

Will add that to my list. I am very interested in what led up to the war. Thank you


95 posted on 04/15/2014 6:34:56 PM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
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To: Gefn
I read a book on that about a year or so ago that was so good I read it in a weekend. Couldn’t put it down

Was it The Great Influenza, by John M. Barry?
Really made an impression on me!

96 posted on 04/15/2014 6:52:30 PM PDT by publius911 ( At least Nixon had the good g race to resign!)
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To: Bobalu
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x8s5QYwYtuY
Michael Palin’s documentary on the last day of the war was outstanding. The link is to part one of five. The idea that officers led men on meaningless attacks on the morning of the last day knowing that the Armistice didn't take effect until the eleventh hour is mind boggling. I also enjoyed “A Shattered Peace” by David Andelman a book about Versailles and the peace conference. Ho Chi Minh getting radicalized by French communists is one of the amazing stories about how important that treaty was and still is.
97 posted on 04/15/2014 7:27:12 PM PDT by freefdny
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To: publius911

No, it was Flu by Gina Kolata. I’m going to have to check out your suggestion tomorrow at the library. I’m always looking for a good read.


98 posted on 04/15/2014 8:14:43 PM PDT by Gefn (All good kitties go to the Rainbow Bridge;Holly 2/1999-12/2013)
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To: Monterrosa-24

Can think of no 20th Century author that had a better understanding of history, human nature and the inevitable admixture that led to world tragedy. Solzhenitsyn in August 1914 painfully and accurately recorded the why and the actual events that doomed Russia between 1900-1917. Cancer Ward examines that the decadence and decline of Russia after 1920 did not happen in a vacuum. It demonstrated how the worst aspects of human nature, which are always present, were actually encouraged and celebrated in a decadent destructive frenzy. Solshenitsyn, like all great writers, had a universal perspective. Like Shakespeare his understanding of human nature, psychology and events transcends his beloved Russia and is applicable to all. Western readers would do well to reread Cancer Ward. Intelligent readers would recognize themselves and current times.It would be readily apparent that history is not a static,dead concept, but recurs because human nature does not change, and when a society surrenders to its baser instincts, the outcomes are very predictable. Solzhenitsyn was a very spiritual man. He understood the concept of “original sin” and that if man to be “saved” (even in this realm) he needed to experience a transcendence that each generation or each culture needed to achieve in their time.


99 posted on 04/15/2014 10:18:02 PM PDT by allendale
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To: KosmicKitty

“The Myth of the Great War”
http://www.amazon.com/The-Myth-Great-War-Military/dp/0060084332

“Miracle at Belleau Wood: The Birth of the Modern U.S. Marine Corps”
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Belleau-Wood-Modern-Marine/dp/076276130X

Also, I was going to recommend “The Arms of Krupp” (Krupp went under after WWII), but I see Joe 6-pack already did.


100 posted on 04/16/2014 7:32:48 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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