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cliche ridden, poor english - not sure if that is the result of poor translation or the original text was just that bad. interesting account of the defense of Breslau.

First 7 chapters recount the political origins of WWII, the occupation of Austria and the Sudetenland, the invasion of Poland and Western Europe. The account is from a pro-Nazi perspective and in some cases is enlightening as to the reasons for action and the justification given by the Nazi Government.

Nieville's assault has failed and the British are forced to try and extend their diversionary attack to take pressure off the French forces. The weather is horrible restricting air support for a number of days in late April. Accounts of the first close air support missions in support of the British troops. Horrible losses after the initial success as German defenses recover.

In the first chapter addressing pre Socratic philosophers Mr. Griffith gave only a cursory overview with a dirth of any background information. This approach made the philosophers' ideas sound childish at best which instead of the great thinkers they were established the foundation for later philosophers. The chapter on Socrates is better, but still shallow. I do like the theatrical presentation of the dialogs.

The ground assault on Vimy Ridge has started. Really great accounting of an escaped observation balloon by those that were aboard!

Ch 4 continues with detailed day-by-day accounts of the activity over the Arras front.

Finished up ch 2 discussing last half of '16 & early '17 - Brits discovery of Hindenburg Line and the German pullback in early '17. Ch 3 covered the training given to new RFC pilots - or lack there of. Just started ch 4 - Bloody April.

The second chapter discusses the aviation technology race between the Western allies and the Germans. The Brits were clearly losing the technology race, counting on attrition to close the gap.

This is my first foray into WWI. So I will only be commenting on how I liked the book overall.

I've finished the first chapter and am about halfway through the second chapter. Mr. Hart does a great job summarizing the Western Front status through late 1916, along with introducing how aviation changed the face of war along with all the technology advances.