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In the Fields and the Trenches: The Famous and the Forgotten on the Battlefields of World War I
A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2017
When it started, many thought the Great War would be a great adventure. Yet, as those who saw it up close learned, it was anything but. In the Fields and the Trenches traces the stories of eighteen young idealists swept into the brutal conflict, many of whom would go on to become well-known 20th-century figures in film, science, politics, literature, and business. Writer J. R. R. Tolkien was a signals officer with the British Expeditionary Force and fought at the Battle of the Somme. Scientist Irène Curie helped her mother, Marie, run twenty X-ray units for French field hospitals. Actor Buster Keaton left Hollywood after being drafted into the army’s 40th Infantry Division. And all four of Theodore Roosevelt’s sons—Kermit, Archibald, Quentin, and Theodore III—and his daughter Ethel served in Europe, though one did not return.
In the Fields and the Trenches chronicles the lives of heroes, cowards, comics, and villains—some famous, some not—who participated in this life-changing event. Extensive original material, from letters sent from the front to personal journals, brings these men and women back to life. And though their stories are a century old, they convey modern, universal themes of love, death, power, greed, courage, hate, fear, family, friendship, and sacrifice.
When it started, many thought the Great War would be a great adventure. Yet, as those who saw it up close learned, it was anything but. In the Fields and the Trenches traces the stories of eighteen young idealists swept into the brutal conflict, many of whom would go on to become well-known 20th-century figures in film, science, politics, literature, and business. Writer J. R. R. Tolkien was a signals officer with the British Expeditionary Force and fought at the Battle of the Somme. Scientist Irène Curie helped her mother, Marie, run twenty X-ray units for French field hospitals. Actor Buster Keaton left Hollywood after being drafted into the army’s 40th Infantry Division. And all four of Theodore Roosevelt’s sons—Kermit, Archibald, Quentin, and Theodore III—and his daughter Ethel served in Europe, though one did not return.
In the Fields and the Trenches chronicles the lives of heroes, cowards, comics, and villains—some famous, some not—who participated in this life-changing event. Extensive original material, from letters sent from the front to personal journals, brings these men and women back to life. And though their stories are a century old, they convey modern, universal themes of love, death, power, greed, courage, hate, fear, family, friendship, and sacrifice.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 29, 2016
This is an interesting view of various Americans, male and female, in Europe during WWI, some very well known, others less so, at times speaking in their own words. The book combines elements of history with biography and memoir with excerpts of letters written home by the soldiers, nurses, entertainers, aviators. Some traveled to the war zone well before the United States' entry into the conflict either in non-combatant roles or by joining the forces of other nations. Among the famous are the sons of Teddy Roosevelt, Hemingway, Buster Keaton, and two of the best baseball players of the time.
Along with the details of these lives, the author provides a very good amount of information on the start of the war, what it was like on the ground, the political landscape in the U.S. that impeded entry into the war and then forced it, and details of many battles. One of the portraits concerns a German soldier who documented his time at the front with photographs, some of which are included in this book. Now I have a much better idea of what the German trenches actually looked like--a far cry from those of their opposition.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking for another view into World War One---this one on a very human level. Although I have read other very learned and excellent books on the war's causes and progress, this book did give me a new, very personal insight into what life on the battlefield was like for many.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Along with the details of these lives, the author provides a very good amount of information on the start of the war, what it was like on the ground, the political landscape in the U.S. that impeded entry into the war and then forced it, and details of many battles. One of the portraits concerns a German soldier who documented his time at the front with photographs, some of which are included in this book. Now I have a much better idea of what the German trenches actually looked like--a far cry from those of their opposition.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking for another view into World War One---this one on a very human level. Although I have read other very learned and excellent books on the war's causes and progress, this book did give me a new, very personal insight into what life on the battlefield was like for many.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 16, 2016
Each chapter ,a different person's WW1 experiences, male and female. Two, Ernest Hemingway, ambulance driver on the Italian front. Earlier WW1 books concerning him, wrong. And the best chapter is of Harry S. Truman, Capt. Battery D. A CG buddy's father served in that battery under HST.
January 17, 2020
Wars are fought by young people, writes Hollihan, so I'm happy to find this compendium of well told tales about the first world war. I also liked her observation "These men and women lived a century ago. They felt altogether modern, and, indeed, for the time they lived, they were." All were well told stories, and those of the lesser known people were some of the best - Fred Libby, Irene Curie, Henry Lincoln Johnson, and Walter Koessler. Everything has citations for those who want to know more, and there are well-chosen illustrations throughout. Even the author is present in a way, as a young person, in her epilogue describing a school assembly on Armistice Day, as it was known then, hearing John McCrae's famous poem recited "In Flanders Fields".
December 8, 2017
I'm so glad I picked up this book. It was an interesting way to find out a little bit more about WWI without delving into the bleakness of war or the politics of it all.
May 20, 2023
Biographical profiles
Interesting and informative book on some of the people in WWI. The book traps their movements during the war and after.
Interesting and informative book on some of the people in WWI. The book traps their movements during the war and after.
September 18, 2015
I found parts of this a bit dry but then historical documentation of the Great War is a somber subject. Kerrie Logan Hollihan has done her research and it is an interesting read. The book focuses on 12 different individuals who participated in different capacities in World War I. This is their stories and perspectives.
The persons range from Ernest Hemingway, the Roosevelts, a showgirl - Elsie Janis, a pitcher - Christy Mathewson, a black soldier - Henry Lincoln Johnson, even a German soldier's views and more. There are 12 different insights into the war, photographs and excerpts from actual journals which I think add a great deal to the book.
I did find it interesting and I did learn a lot. For instance, I never dreamed that the gunner's had to stand on top of the airplane in order to shoot behind the plane. These were some courageous individuals and Fred Libby tells the story of what it was like. I think this is a must read for history buffs.
This ebook was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.
The persons range from Ernest Hemingway, the Roosevelts, a showgirl - Elsie Janis, a pitcher - Christy Mathewson, a black soldier - Henry Lincoln Johnson, even a German soldier's views and more. There are 12 different insights into the war, photographs and excerpts from actual journals which I think add a great deal to the book.
I did find it interesting and I did learn a lot. For instance, I never dreamed that the gunner's had to stand on top of the airplane in order to shoot behind the plane. These were some courageous individuals and Fred Libby tells the story of what it was like. I think this is a must read for history buffs.
This ebook was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes.
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November 29, 2016Good for those who like war stories, have an interest in World War I, and/or want to see a variety of individuals who were involved or impacted by it in some capacity.
That said, it wasn't particularly compelling and as someone who doesn't have interest in those things, there's zero appeal here for me as a reader. The writing does what it needs to, the package does what it needs to, though I'd have loved it to be designed with some more interest, I think.
Can't say that reading RADIOACTIVE before this one, about Irené Curie didn't impact my finding her chapter here to be pretty uninteresting and not as alive.
The more I read these collective biographies, and there is no shortage of them this year in youth nonfiction, the less compelling I find them. I get what Hollihan is doing here with her selection of individuals, but there's just not enough meat to make me want to learn more.
That said, it wasn't particularly compelling and as someone who doesn't have interest in those things, there's zero appeal here for me as a reader. The writing does what it needs to, the package does what it needs to, though I'd have loved it to be designed with some more interest, I think.
Can't say that reading RADIOACTIVE before this one, about Irené Curie didn't impact my finding her chapter here to be pretty uninteresting and not as alive.
The more I read these collective biographies, and there is no shortage of them this year in youth nonfiction, the less compelling I find them. I get what Hollihan is doing here with her selection of individuals, but there's just not enough meat to make me want to learn more.
February 19, 2016
I enjoyed this book. WWI is not one that was studied much when I was in High school, and even in college it was only touched on briefly, so much of what I read in this book new to me. I enjoyed the stories of those who served. I did think the book was a bit simplistic for an adult. But thought it would be suited perfectly for a middle or early high school kid.
Edited to add, I received this book as a give away, but this is my honest opinion.
Edited to add, I received this book as a give away, but this is my honest opinion.
May 5, 2016
This book tells the stories of some well known and not so well known people who went to he front in WW 1. While it's written for young people, it is a good telling of these people's lives. Buster Keaton , Hemingway, Teddy Roosevelts sons, and of course Harry Truman. But also there are entertainers, doctors, and others whose experiences help to flesh out a time that's a fading memory in black and white.
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February 22, 2016Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: I've Had Worse...
Drinking Buddy: Whiskey, Straight Up
Testosterone/Estrogen Level: Lost Generation
Talky Talk: And We Won't Come Back 'Till It's Over Over There!
Bonus Factor: History
Bromance Status: In Flanders Field, The Poppies Blow
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: I've Had Worse...
Drinking Buddy: Whiskey, Straight Up
Testosterone/Estrogen Level: Lost Generation
Talky Talk: And We Won't Come Back 'Till It's Over Over There!
Bonus Factor: History
Bromance Status: In Flanders Field, The Poppies Blow
Read the full book report here.
September 15, 2015
In the Fields and the Trenches offers the personal stories of 12 young people that were swept up in the "War to End All Wars." With amazing photos, diary entries, and memoir excerpts, World War I really comes alive for middle and high school age students.I would definitely recommend In the Fields and the Trenches to students and teachers of social studies and history.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews