Adding Books

[Jenna]

If there are books that you think should be added to these shelves, please feel free to post a suggestions here in this thread, and when I can, I will try to add them to the shelves.

As the Great War is a main interest of mine, I will probably be constantly adding books as I can/as I read them myself, but I know there will be many that I will miss, so I look forward to everyone's suggestions.

[Robert]

I didn't see Ernst Junger's 'Storm of Steel' on the list - a harrowing first-hand account (German perspective) of combat on the Western Front. This is one of the best apolitical memoirs from a line infantryman. I use it in my classes to exemplify the experience of the Front and to provide insight into the psyche of German veterans (Hitler, of course, was one) and the rise of German paramilitary groups of the 1920s and 30s

[Jenna]

Shurms, thank you for the suggestion. I added it under the bookshelf for Germany.

[Donald]

I enjoyed THE RUSSIAN DAGGER, Cold War in the Balkans, 1870-1914, by Virigina Cowles, which clarifies much about the Balkans and events leading to the assassination of the Archduke.

Of course Tuchman's 1914 is a must for any shelf.

[Jenna]

I finally had a chance to add a few more books today. I never seem to have time. The ones today I added are exclusively on the Austrian experience, mostly naval, in WWI.

[Donald]

Interesting. My Balkans History Professor at U.C. Berkeley, Jelavich, said his father was a Captain in the Coatian Navy for Austria-Hungary in WWI.

[Jenna]

Interesting. It seems like it is an area of research mostly of interest to the Austrians, and little of the work done has been translated into English. Some of the picture books are fun to look at though!

[Gabriele]

Hi Jenna,

How great to see this group! My latest two novels take place during WW1 and so I've developed an addiction to that era through my research. You might want to check out my website www.4yearsofww1.info where I have a listing of all the books and websites I consulted during my 4 years of research. I'd like to suggest a few not already on your site that I found particularly compelling:

Sagittarius Rising - by Cecil Lewis - an eloquent memoir by a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps

We That Were Young - by Irene Rathbone - written as fiction but based upon her own and her friends' experiences in the war

FANNY Goes To War, by Pat Beauuchamp - a memoir about aristocratic women ambulance drivers

The Rainbow Comes and Goes - by Diana Cooper (Lady Diana Manners) - about her experiences as a VAD - the antithesis of Testament of Youth

Generals Die In Bed: A Story from the Trenches - by Charles Yale Harrison - more a memoir than fiction

"Not So Quiet": Stepdaughters of War - fiction based upon the journals of a VAD

Winged Victory - another tale by a pilot

The Return of the Soldier - by Rebecca West - about a shell-shocked soldier

War Story - by Derek Robinson - a well-researched account of life in the RFC

The Wars - by Timothy Findley

Birdsong - by Sebastian Faulks

Gabriele Wills

[Jim]

Pierre Berton's "Vimy" is a pretty good account of that battle.

[Gabriele]

Jim wrote: "Pierre Berton's "Vimy" is a pretty good account of that battle."

I agree absolutely! I used it in my research, as I have a character in that battle.

[Jim]

Gabriele wrote: "Jim wrote: "Pierre Berton's "Vimy" is a pretty good account of that battle."

I agree absolutely! I used it in my research, as I have a character in that battle.
"

I'll have to track down a copy of the book. My great-grandfather left for Vimy in 1917 and hasn't come back yet.

[Jim]

I would further suggest Frederic Manning's "The Middle Parts of Fortune" (also published under the title "Her Privates We"). It's a work of fiction but written by one who was there. It's also listed in "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die".

[Gabriele]

Jim wrote: "Gabriele wrote: "Jim wrote: "Pierre Berton's "Vimy" is a pretty good account of that battle."

I agree absolutely! I used it in my research, as I have a character in that battle.
"

I'll have ..."

Sorry to hear that, Jim. We went to Vimy twice while I was researching - the first time the monument was under wraps as it was being refurbished, but we toured the trenches and tunnels - very creepy. The fact that there are still unexploded armaments in the surrounding, cordoned-off area also brings that battlefield more to life. Last year we did see the monument, as I guess you can tell from my photo. That's me standing in front of the statue with the poppy umbrella. So being there again after reading Pierre Berton's account was just so much more meaningful. I have that evocative poster called "The Ghosts of Vimy Ridge" in my office. http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/...

[Jenna]

thank you for all your suggestions. I apologise--especially to Gabriele--about not responding sooner--I've had no time lately to add books. Um, mainly because I've been reading books...

But I finally added them today!

[Gabriele]

I've been busy with a move, Jenna, so haven't had much time to participate lately. Soon, I will be unpacking my books, so may have some more to add.

[Jenna]

Awesome, Gabriele. I've got a huge list of books to add to -- but they take time -- and I've had to add a lot of them manually. It gets overwhelming - to me -- to add more than 20-30 at a time, but I did add about 20 more in addition to your great suggestions.

[Jenna]

Addedum re: adding books

Also, I cannot always tell by the title what "shelf" a book should go on (and don't have time to read reviews on all) so if you have a suggestion on which shelf/or a shelf that ought to be created, please feel free to make the suggestion!

As the list grows, I'll probably refine/redefine shelves and split things into subcategories, etc.

[Gabriele]

Will do - as soon as I have few minutes. I can find the top of my desk now, but am still living in a bit of chaos here.

['Aussie Rick']

Hi there,

I have just come across your discussion group and I may have missed seeing these titles but just in case here's a few suggestions:

"The First Day on the Somme: 1 July 1916" by Martin Middlebrook
"Somme" by Lyn MacDonald
"They Called it Passchendaele" by Lyn MacDonald
"To the Last Man: Spring, 1918" by Lyn Macdonald
"1915: The Death of Innocence" by Lyn MacDonald
"1914: The Days of Hope" by Lyn Macdonald
"The Great War" by Les Carlyon (the Australian perspective - covering mainly the Western Front)

I hope I haven't doubled up already on books on your shelves.

[Jenna]

I know all the MacDonald books are on the shelf already. I'll check when I have time (hopefully this week) to see if the Middlebrook or Carlyon books are there.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Jenna]

Okay, they are definitely all one the shelves now, mostly under "battles." When it fits, I'll put 1 book on multiple shelves -- so Carlyon's book would go on "general histories" and "australia" --

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Jenna]

I am pleased to say that we've attained 1,000 books our bookshelves. This does include duplicates, as even if the various editions have been combined, if one were to search for a specific ISBN it might not come up as on a shelf here, unless I've added it, so to be safe, I've tried to get multiple editions.

I have divided the books into various categories. Many books can appear on more than one shelf. I obviously have not read all of them--barely a fraction--so if you feel I've misplaced a book, please let me know. I've made choices based on reviews/blurbs/titles. (I am now worried we'll somehow lose them all; apparently it's not possible to back up/export group bookshelves, the way it is, personal shelves).

As excited as I am about reaching 1,000, I know this is but a fraction of the work written on the Great War. Therefore...Please keep your suggestions coming, but I would appreciate it if you'd check to make sure the book is not already on the shelf.

[[deleted user]]

Although I've only been a member of this group a short time, I wanted to say a big thank you, Jenna: 1,000 books is an amazing milestone, especially if you've had to add many of them manually. These shelves are a phenomenal resource to dip into. Thanks!

P.S. If you're still looking for additions, it's on a fairly narrow topic, but I recently enjoyed We Wasn't Pals - Canadian Poetry and Prose of the First World War by Bruce Meyer, if that might be of interest for the Poetry section.

['Aussie Rick']

Can I also recommend another Australian title by C.E.W. Bean; "Anzac to Amiens" which offers a nice condensed book from the 12 volume official history series. This book offers a complete overview of the Australian contribution to the Great War and is a great read.

[Gabriele]

Jenna wrote: "I am pleased to say that we've attained 1,000 books our bookshelves. This does include duplicates, as even if the various editions have been combined, if one were to search for a specific ISBN it m..." Wow! What a treasure trove!

[Jenna]

Thank you for your kind words. One thousand books has been a milestone I've been aiming--just a personal one, which I've been working on here and there when I can.

Joie wrote especially if you've had to add many of them manually. These shelves are a phenomenal resource to dip into. Thanks!...(and yes, I did have to add a significant number manually).

[Jenna]

Rick, the C.E.W. Bean title is on the shelves (under Australia and Anzacs). I didn't get every volume of the 12 part series, but the short version is there.

Joie I'll look up your suggestion (and add it) later next week.

[Maggie]

Gabriele wrote: "Hi Jenna,

How great to see this group! My latest two novels take place during WW1 and so I've developed an addiction to that era through my research. You might want to check out my website www.4ye..."

I read We That Were Young and Not so Quiet Stepdaughters of War years and years ago. My friend was doing a degree course and they were on the reading list so I read them too. They have become 2 of my favourite books, especially Not so Quiet. I find the experiences of woman and war particularly interesting.

Any more suggestions anyone?

[Jenna]

Have you read Vera Brittain's classic memoir Testament of Youth? I really enjoyed that one, and just re-read it this summer actually. I would definitely recommend that.

[Maggie]

YesI have read Testament of Youth but I do have other Vera Brittain books to read. Thanks

[Gabriele]

Maggie, I really enjoyed Roses of No Man's Land by Lyn Macdonald. It's not fiction, but is so fascinating that it kept me reading. It's about nurses, VADs and medicine in general during the war.

[Maggie]

Gabriele, Roses of No Mans Land has been on my Amazon wish list for ages I'll have to get it now. Thanks

[Jenna]

I agree with Gabrielle - I hope you don't have too much trouble getting it -- I recall it being difficult to find at times.

[Jenna]

Maggie, you might want to check out the "Gender Studies" shelf here -- that has 34 books on it (so far), including Roses of No Man's Land so you might want see what else is there.

Charles Todd's newest book, A Duty to the Dead and Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series both feature women nurses from WW1.

Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Lonelinessis also a classic woman novel (semi-autobiographical?) of the war.

[Maggie]

Thanks Jenna, will check them out.

Read Well of Loneliness years ago - due another read I think

[Jenna]

Tonight I just re-read Winifred Holtby's lovely short story "So Handy for the Fun Fair" and Katherine Anne Porter's novel Pale Horse, Pale Riderwhich both deal with women and the First World War.

[Maggie]

Pat Barkers' Regeneration trilogy are excellent.

[Jenna]

Or Rebecca West's Return of the Soldier.

If you're interested in fiction works, there are 3 shelves here devoted to fiction of the era/set in the era, so you can check those out also.

[Gabriele]

For a fascinating and comprehensive account of the FANY corps (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry) during WW1, read War Girls. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63...
I blogged about the FANY yesterday - http://theobsessedwriter.blogspot.com/

['Aussie Rick']

Hi folks, here's a new release book by Holger Herwig:

"The Marne, 1914: The Opening Battle of World War 1 and the Battle that Changed the World"

['Aussie Rick']

In regards to books covering Nurses can I add a fairly recent publication in Australia:

by Peter Rees

This is a very good book, covering Australian & New Zealand Nurses from Gallipoli to the Western Front, an excellent read.

[Edmund]

Just completed G. J. Meyer's 'A World Undone' by far the best factual history of the Great War that I've read to date.

[Edmund]

Anyone read CF Forester's 'Brown on Resolution' Well worth getting hold of, as is 'The African Queen' - by the same author. Both set in WW1.

[Fran]

Gabriele wrote: "Hi Jenna,

How great to see this group! My latest two novels take place during WW1 and so I've developed an addiction to that era through my research. You might want to check out my website www.4ye..."

Gabriele your website is amazing, ....
good work. thanks a lot for the link.
do you know if there is something similar from the point of view of the central powers?

[Gabriele]

Thanks, Fran! I'm not aware of such a site for the Central Powers, but it's been over a year since I finished my research on the war.

[Gabriele]

Jenna wrote: "Tonight I just re-read Winifred Holtby's lovely short story "So Handy for the Fun Fair" and Katherine Anne Porter's novel Pale Horse, Pale Riderwhich both deal with women and the Firs..."

I just finished Pale Horse, Pale Rider too. Most interesting!

[KOMET]

Today, I began reading the following book by James Carl Nelson, whose grandfather had fought in France in 1918 as a soldier in the U.S. 1st Infantry Division...

[Jan C]

KOMET wrote: "Today, I began reading the following book by James Carl Nelson, whose grandfather had fought in France in 1918 as a soldier in the U.S. 1st Infantry Division...

[bookcover:The Remains of Compan..."

I've recently started that book as well. I'm finding it pretty interesting so far. Very readable.

['Aussie Rick']

Here is a brand new book covering one aspect of Churchill's career written by a local Australian; "Churchill's Dilemma: The Real Story Behind the Origins of the 1915 Dardanelles Campaign" by Graham T. Clews.

by Graham T. Clews
Publishers blurb:
Churchill's Dilemma: The Real Story Behind the Origins of the 1915 Dardanelles Campaign is an entirely original study of the origins of the disastrous Dardanelles Campaign of 1915 and Winston Churchill's role in it. The work challenges long-held beliefs about Churchill's actions as First Lord, including the perceptions that he had a preoccupation with the Dardanelles bordering on obsession, and that he only reluctantly promoted a naval-only attempt to force the Dardanelles because there were no troops available for a full-scale amphibious assault on the Peninsula.

Opening with a brief study of prewar naval policy in the age of the mine and submarine and the implications of the growing threat from Germany, this in-depth study shows that neither perception is true. Churchill's preoccupation was with northern Europe, not the Mediterranean. He promoted his naval-only operation because he hoped this would preempt a major British military commitment to a southern theatre that would compromise his northern aspirations. In studying the motivations that drove and the other key players in this drama, this groundbreaking work does nothing less than unlock the true origins of the Dardanelles campaign.

Reviews:
“This detailed analysis of the origins of the Dardanelles campaign gets to the heart of a matter that is still shrouded in mystery and mired in controversy. Graham Clews is to be congratulated on his meticulous scholarship." - Trevor Wilson, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Adelaide, and author of ‘The Somme’

“This is the most thorough study yet produced of the Dardanelles campaign and the part played by Winston Churchill in it. No specialist on Gallipoli or those with an interest in Churchill should ignore it.” – Robin Prior, Emeritus Professor, Trevor Wilson School of History, University of Adelaide, and author of ‘Gallipoli: The End of the Myth’

“It’s clear that the planning process for the Dardanelles-Gallipoli campaign went badly wrong. Looking for a way to employ Britain’s superior strength in 1915, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill sent an ill-fated fleet to the Mediterranean. As Graham Clews argues, the Dardanelles was never anything more than a secondary operation to Churchill, who remained fixated on his true obsession: an amphibious assault on the island of Borkum, followed by a massive amphibious landing along Germany’s Baltic or North Sea coastline. Clews has written an important book, showing us how what happened in the Straits, an all-naval operation starved of troops until it was arguably too late, was not an accident, but exactly what Churchill intended all along.” – Robert M. Citino, Professor of History, University of North Texas, and Author of ‘Blitzkrieg to Desert Storm’

[Kristina]

I just wanted to mention a book that I just finished last week. It's called "Forgotten Voices of the Great War" by Max Arthur. It's the personal accounts of mostly British and some German soldiers in their own words. You actually feel like you are sitting across from them as they tell you war stories. The stories describe pure terror,confusion,absurd situations, humor and absolute fear. I highly recommend this one.