The Book at War: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading

by Andrew Pettegree

A top literary historian illuminates how books were used in war across the twentieth century—both as weapons and as agents for peace   We tend not to talk about books and war in the same breath—one ranks among humanity’s greatest inventions, the other among its most terrible. But as esteemed literary historian Andrew Pettegree demonstrates, the two are deeply intertwined. The Book at War  explores the various roles that books have played in conflicts throughout the globe. Winston Churchill used a travel guide to plan the invasion of Norway, lonely families turned to libraries while their loved ones were fighting in the trenches, and during the Cold War both sides used books to spread their visions of how the world should be run. As solace or instruction manual, as critique or propaganda, books have shaped modern military history—for both good and ill.  With precise historical analysis and sparkling prose, The Book at War  accounts for the power—and the ambivalence—of words at war.  

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Books About Books, War, Military Fiction, Politics, Audiobook

480 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2023

About the author

I began my career working on aspects of the European Reformation. My first book was a study of religious refugee communities in the sixteenth century, and since then I have published on the Dutch Revolt, and on the Reformation in Germany, France and England, as well as a general survey history of the sixteenth century. In the last years the focus of my research has shifted towards an interest in the history of communication, and especially the history of the book. I run a research group that in 2011 completed a survey of all books published before1601: the Universal Short Title Catalogue. This work continues with work to incorporate new discoveries and continue the survey into the seventeenth century.

In 2010 I published an award-winning study of The Book in the Renaissance, and in 2014 The Invention of News: a study of the birth of a commercial culture of news publication in the four centuries between 1400 and 1800. I return to the Reformation for a study of Luther’s media strategy, published in 2015 by Penguin as Brand Luther, 1517, Printing and the Making of the Reformation. I am now engaged in a study of the book world of the seventeenth century Dutch Republic, to be published in 2019 as Trading Books in the Age of Rembrandt.

I am the lead editor of two monograph series: the St Andrews Studies in Reformation History, and The Library of the Written Word. In 2012-2015 I served a three year term as Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society.

I welcome enquiries from potential postgraduate students working on any aspect of the Reformation or Book History.

Reviews

[Callum's Column · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books and libraries are the fulcrum of society, and are used and abused during times of conflict. They may be used to ascertain knowledge of a new enemy, battle strategies and tactics, historical lessons, geographic understanding, or literary escapism when reality is too much to bear. They may also be abused to disseminate vilifying propaganda, pillaged as loot, or burned to destroy someone's culture. Despite this duality, the integral role of books in war is often overlooked. Books, and the ideas encapsulated in them, are powerful metaphorical weapons. How one uses them, however, depends on one's morality—for books are nothing without human agency.

This complex role of books in wartime is the focus of Andrew Pettegree’s The Book at War. Despite its broad title, he concentrates primarily on their use during World War II. Pettegree also digresses to provide some analysis of books during other conflicts, like the American Civil War, World War I, and the Cold War. The book would have been stronger had the author focused solely on WWII, as this would have provided greater historical clarity and precision. Additionally, the book is very Eurocentric. This is normally fine if indicated in the title, but the title’s broad scope gives the reader a false impression of the book’s content.

Books will remain integral to conflict—for good or ill—into the future. Bosnia and Herzegovina's national library was bombed by Bosnian Serb separatists in a brazen act of cultural terror. Russia has destroyed or damaged thousands of libraries in Ukraine. In civil conflict, books are perennially under threat from authoritarian zealots. The Trump administration has dismissed librarians from the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Thousands of books have also been banned from public libraries. These are not isolated incidents. The fight for free speech is never-ending. Books are both a weapon and a message for liberty and justice. Do not protect them at your own peril.

I have started a Substack where I’ll be posting longer reviews alongside contemporary political analyses. Full reviews will still go on Goodreads, but if you enjoy my writing, feel free to subscribe. It is free, and you do not need an account to sign up—only your email.

The url for my substack is here: https://callumscolumn.substack.com/

[Nashelito · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Навіть якби я зараз не займався невпинним пошуком, збором та залученням книг для військовослужбовців в рамках проєкту Культурного Десанту "Книга на фронт", а би всеодно зацікавився новинкою видавництва Лабораторія "Книга на війні. Бібліотеки й читачі нового часу" Ендрю Петтіґрі. Я просто дуже люблю книжки — як явище, як "зброю на війні ідей", як артефакти. Література стала для мене тією останньою територією і зоною комфорту, де мені бути добре, не зважаючи ні на що. 

Світ може котитися у прірву (хіба зараз із ним, з нами не це відбувається?), але якщо у мене є з собою книга — нехай котиться. Ця книга може просто лежати в баулі, як було від лютого до осені 2022 року з "Моральними листами до Луцилія" Сенеки. Я спонтанно поклав її в наплічник перед тим як з кінцями пішов у військкомат 24 лютого, я возив її за собою по Київській області і потягнув на Донбас, я прочитав з неї не більше одного абзацу, але вона була потрібна мені як символ. Як артефакт магічного минулого, з колишнього і назавжди зруйнованого світу.

Більшість держав-учасників двох останніх світових воєн дбали про те, щоби їхнім військам було що читати: під час військової підготовки, транспортування, тривожного очікування, у шанцях на передовій в періоди затишшя, під час висадки в Нормандії — "Багато хто, тривожачись перед висадкою на пляжах "Омаха" та "Юта", читав, а потім обмінювався книжками і читав далі. У різанині на пляжі "Омаха" загинуло багато людей. Ті, що вижили, просувалися пляжем, спостерігаючи моторошну картину: смертельно поранені солдати спирались об скелі й читали." — згодом ті, хто вижив, продовжували читати в шпиталях.

Загальновідома військова істина говорить: коли солдат зайнятий — він має менше можливостей накоїти дурниць. Мабуть тому вояків часто намагаються зайняти безглуздою роботою та абсурдною діяльністю. Утім, якщо ти нікого не чіпаєш, зайвий раз не відсвічуєш, а сидиш собі десь тихо у закамарку з книжкою — у дев'яти випалках із десяти тебе не пошлють копати звідси і до обіду, позаяк ти вже "зайнятий". Я неодноразово перевірив на практиці і успішно цим користувався.

Звісно, і під час Великої Війни, і на фронтах Другої світової книги мали за конкурентів лише іншу друковану продукцію — журнали, газети, комікси та пропагандистські листівки — останні розліталися з снарядів та сипалися з літаків. На війні в Україні книжки воюють за увагу та час військових із значно сильнішими суперниками — комп'ютерні та мобільні ігри, ґемблінг, порнографія, тік-ток дають швидкий дофамін, майнити який можна практично не докладаючи зусиль.

Мене неймовірно надихає історія кампанії "Видання збройних сил", які друкували у США — видавці робили компактні видання в м'яких обкладинках, а уряд купував їх по сім центів за штуку. Список формувався видавцями, радою експертів, затверджувався армією та флотом — до переліку потрапила і класика, і сучасна проза того часу, історичні романи, вестерни, детективи, гумористичні твори — важливою була різноманітність. Загалом було обрано 1322 видання, а загальний тираж відправлених на фронт книжок склав 122 951 031 примірник. Тільки уявіть, як щомісяця 155 тисяч коробок, в кожній з яких 40 різних і щоразу нових книг вирушають на фронти Європи та Африки, на військові бази  Британії, на острови в Тихому океані. Туди, де їх страшенно чекали і запоєм читали, щоб відволіктися від військової рутини, втекти від тривоги та скорботи, сховатися від повсюдної присутности смерти, сподіваючись на краще — вижити і повернутися додому.

Я міг би ще дуже довго говорити про цю книгу, але якщо ви любите історію та літературу, то обов'язково купіть і прочитайте її, а потім передайте на фронт. Ендрю Петтіґрі провів вражаюче дослідження долі та ролі бібліотек, книг та читачів у ХХ ст. Доки він писав цю книгу, в Європі розпочалася нова велика війна і зараз ми мусимо знову робити так, щоби військові, які захищають цивілізацію від варварської орди, мали що читати. 

Ініціатива "Книга на фронт", роботу якої я зараз координую, покликана залучити цивільних любителів книжок, частих відвідувачів книгарень, поділитися частинкою цієї любові із тими, хто нас захищає. З одного боку — купити зайву книгу, бажано новинку (всі люди люблять новинки, а військові — теж люди), і цим підтримати книгарню та видавництво, а з іншого — морально підтримати того, хто ще вчора був цивільним і теж ходив по книгарнях, а сьогодні змушений одягнути піксель і взяти до рук зброю.

[Charlotte Parkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book in search of a subject.

The subject really isn't clearly defined. I spent much of my time wondering what, exactly, the point of this book was, and who it was aimed at. The title is ‘The Book at War’, and the subtitle ‘Libraries and Readers in an Age of Conflict’. So this is going to be about books in war time then? Or just libraries?

But then the inside blurb says it's about how ‘written culture has shaped and been shaped by the conflicts of the modern age’. So, that's a wider and more nebulous topic then.

And then again, the actual content was different from the blurb. My best summary of the content would be: very very short potted histories of various topics vaguely connected to any kind of printed material during wartime and/or related to war, in the Western world (mostly), 1850-present day. Propaganda. Cryptography. Cartography. Scientific journals. Novels. Newspapers. With a subject so massive, what on earth can be interestingly said in a single (popular) volume like this?

Reading it, I couldn't really work out who on earth this book was aimed at. It jumps around between periods and topics so much that it would be unintelligible to anyone without at least a rough outline of European history from (say) 1800 onwards in their head - this book is not any kind of introduction to anything. But yet the potted histories are so superficial that for anyone with that level of knowledge, they simply aren't going to provide much extra insight. Too often we're just given a re-hash of well-known history: 2 pages on Bletchley Park, or the Vietnam War, say.

The middle section on mainstream / popular books & writing is more interesting, and more tightly focused on the two world wars, but the thematic structure makes it repetitive - the same works get mentioned again and again, in slightly different contexts. 

That said, it was all mildly interesting, in a desultory way. It led me to look up various things on Wikipedia, and add plenty of books mentioned to my ‘to read’ shelf. But there was very little surprising or new or that changed my perspective.

[Vadym Didyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книги та війни — один з найкорисніших винаходів людства і один з найстрашніших. Дуже часто вони перетинаються в історичному контексті, і одне має вплив (десь очевидний, десь ні) на інше.

Мао Цзедун був бібліотекарем, Сталін писав вірші про кохання, Гітлер, як відомо, також осторонь не стояв і написав “Майн кампф”. Книжки спалювали на вогнищах, бібліотеки знищували, військові ставали письменниками, письменники брали до рук зброю, і перелік цих переплетень можна продовжувати і продовжувати. Власне, ми все це зараз бачимо на власні очі.

Автор книжки “Книга на війні. Бібліотеки й читачі нового часу” — професор сучасної історії Ендрю Петтіґрі — відкрив читачам той шлях, яким писемна культура формується під впливом масштабних збройних конфліктів. Це амбітна спроба. Тут від важливості бібліотек у часи Другої світової до створення видавництва Penguin Books. І це глибокі дослідження, цікаві факти та подробиці. Але є нюанси.

Відчувається, що на якомусь етапі — під час формування ідеї, чи плану написання, чи редагування — відбулось затуманення теми книжки. Як мені здалось, це спроба охопити все-все про письмо та війни, в різних контекстах, і водночас з точковими зануреннями в певні історичні моменти. Як наслідок, часто ти не розумієш, як входити в цей текст, чи ти цільова аудиторія, і хто взагалі ідеальний читач цієї книжки — пересічний любитель почитати, культурологи та літературознавці, усі дотичні до літератури і до війни? З цим важко визначитись.

З усім тим, книжка важлива, помірно цікава, проговорюється вторгнення росії в Україну, є багато неочікуваних фактів. ЇЇ можна прочитати суто для загального розвитку, як мінімум.

Ще більше відгуків та окололітературного шукайте в моєму книжковому блозі в Телеграмі

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

Initial DNF at 6%

The audiobook narrator has never heard of the concept of enunciation. Everything sounds slushed together and mumbled.

[Teri-K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the first couple of chapters, then come back and tell me that books aren't political.
"For libraries, from the time of Ancient Greece and Rome to the public library movement of the nineteenth century, had never simply been collections of books. They were also a public demonstrations of a society's values..."

Unfortunately, this turned out to be a very uneven and ultimately disappointing book. It began in an interesting way, and some of the chapters were good, like "Reading in Wartime". Others were a disappointing hodge-podge, including "The Spooks of Academe". Honestly, a chapter about academics becoming spies in WWII should be fascinating, but this was a boring mess, with no new or compelling information.

That takes me to the problems with this book. First, it's almost solely focused on the UK during WWII, though other countries are mentioned, mostly Germany, Russia and the US. It doesn't have the scope that the title and subtitle promise. Also, the idea of "Reading" is often far from the page, making the book feel more like a general collection of oddities about the war. Finally, the information included within each chapter feels unorganized and without purpose. I can't count the times I'd start a new paragraph and wonder "What? Why?" It felt like someone had recorded a lot of details on index cards (remember them?), shuffled the cards into some type of order and then just written the notes out, with no sense of purpose or connection. I expect more from my nonfiction than that.

However, you will some interesting information and good quotes, if you decide to persevere. I thought sections 1 and 6 were probably best overall, so you could just read those and then pick and choose anything else you're particularly interested in. Just don't get your expectations too high.

“If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance we must provide a safe place for their perpetuation.”
Franklin Roosevelt, 1938

[Адріана Павлич-Гресько · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже цікаво про книжки на війні, про самі війни та події в літературній і видавничій галузі опісля. Але як же історія нічому не вчить. Все повторюється. І , на жаль , припало на нашу долю та країну

[Artem Perkov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже інформативна книжка. Уся в підкресленнях, але більшість з них інформативного характеру (цікаві факти, неочікувані повороти, потреба фактчекнути), а не інсайди. З плюсів: величезна пророблена робота з матеріалами та документами. Напевно, автор з архівів та бібліотек просто не вилазив. А також дійсно багато цікавої інформації про вплив книги, бібліотеки, гуманітарної політики на суспільство або у війні, або до війни, або вже після неї. Від книжкової довоєнної пропаганди, до військових університетів і способу навчання.

Важливі питання, які ставиш собі: чи оцінюємо ми відповідним чином важливість книги в часи війни? Якою є роль книги в резилієнтності та формуванні українського суспільства останні декілька років?



Зрештою, тверда 4-ка за величезну роботу автора, яку читаєш як щось на кшталт енциклопедії. Треба щоб хтось після війни написав схожий матеріал про розвиток книги в Україні, про головних дійових осіб розвитку (або перепон) книговидавництва, психологічного портрету читача, зміни або формування світогляду тощо.

[Joanne Coakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely captivating and deeply moving! The Book at War is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of humanity and the profound importance of literature, even in the face of unimaginable destruction. The author brings together fascinating historical accounts, bringing to life the incredible efforts to preserve and even weaponize books during wartime. I was completely engrossed by the stories of librarians risking their lives, soldiers finding solace in the pages of novels, and the ingenious ways books were used for resistance and connection. This isn't just a book about history; it's a celebration of the power of stories to sustain us, inspire us, and remind us of what truly matters. A must-read for anyone who loves books and appreciates the resilience of the human spirit. Five stars!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting topic, poor poor execution. While I did learn some interesting facts about war and books, the writing and structure was a bit clunky and unfocused. So I switched to the audio version, which was worse. The narrator was an Englishman in his eighties who doesn’t enunciate anything. I wanted this to be better but it was a solid meh.

[Señora · Rating 2 out of 5]

No soporto que un historiador explique hechos históricos con cucharadas de su opinión personal una y otra vez, sesgo que no solo es personal sino también cultural porque se le nota lo británico desde lejos y afecta en el rigor de algunas aseveraciones.
Ni se habla solo de libros ni se centra solo en la guerra, a no ser que entendamos por “libros” soportes de lectura y bibliotecas (es decir, material y lugar) y por “guerra” todo el siglo XX pero sin hacer caso a ningún país que no sea Inglaterra, Estados Unidos y Alemania.
De libros es de lo que menos he leído y más sobre los benefactores del negocio como tal. Y desde luego ha ido de lo general a lo concreto. En los primeros capítulos aún hacía alusión a finales del siglo XIX y a la IGM pero según iba avanzando la lectura ya ha dejado de lado eso para centrarse en la IIGM. Igualmente, con los países, ha empezado también analizando Francia, Canadá, Rusia, China para luego no retomarlos hasta el final.
Al menos me gustaría poder decir que ha seguido una estructura pero aunque el título del capítulo nombrara un momento o acción clave a las tres frases se iba por las ramas.
Creo que ha sido un proyecto demasiado ambicioso que quería aunar tanto a lectores como a escritores como a bibliotecarios y benefactores así como los esfuerzos de cada gobierno detrás de la producción literaria (libros, revistas, panfletos, periódicos, etc. –pero no cartas–) pero sin la imparcialidad que merece.

[Scott Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that I really like reading, I was fascinated to see how reading, books, libraries and information would all be discussed under the overarching umbrella of war. This book did not disappointment. While most of the emphasis focused on the World Wars, primarily World War II, it was still enlightening to see how the role of reading and books mixed with wartime policies. It was good see how the role of books and the distribution of reading material works for all fronts and sides. It could be more complex than one can imagine. Also, the larger themes of information sharing and distribution were discussed here.

Maybe more could have been said about 21st century warfare and the rise of e-readers/electronic files/etc, but what was provided was fascinating to read about. One major caveat is that the hard back version is so much better than the audiobook. Initially tried the audiobook and for whatever reason, the reader or the material, that format just did not work. Highly, highly recommend sticking to the hard/e-copy. Definitely worth the time and even worth a financial investment.

[Оксана Лесіцька · Rating 5 out of 5]

Надзвичайно актуальна та цінна книжка для нас. Хоч її ключовими подіями стали Перша та Друга світові війни, але є і безліч інформації про інші конфлікти та роль книжки в них. Закінчується ж вона нашою війною. Автор використав дуже багато матеріалів для цієї фундаментальної праці, але не забув і про свій погляд на історію. Читання та аналіз цього тексту зайняли в мене місяці, кожен розділ розбирався на тернопільському книжковому клубі. Вона поглибила моє знання культурних процесів під час криз і я раджу її усім, хто цікавиться якісним історичним нонфіком. Дякую видавництву за тверду обкладинку та якість паперу, а перекладачці й усім залученим до видання за титанічні зусилля.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although geared heavily towards WW2, this book was still very entertaining. The author tells the story of the relationship books have had to armed conflict through the ages. Along the way, he includes many anecdotes about the publishing industry and books in general. I would recommend this volume to anyone looking to better their understanding of the impact of books in armed conflict. A worthy effort.

[Cassidy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This took me ages to read. It was enjoyable and informative, but so dense. A good case for another round of editing, as not all details are of equal importance.

[Joanne Gass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent history of the roles books and libraries play in wartime--especially WWI and WWII. It also enlightens us on the importance libraries play in war and how aggressive nations set out to destroy cultures by first destroying their libraries. A cautionary tale.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I love Pettegree’s book histories, and this was another strong one. Not quite as good as The Library - the organization is a little looser and more discursive, so it feels more like a collection of (very) interesting anecdotes. Like his other works, it’s very focused on European history, and the vast majority of the pages are spent on WWII, and to a lesser extent WWI and the Cold War period, with only brief excursions to the far east or periods before the 20th century. Loving this part of history as I do, I had few complaints, but would just not that the scope is narrower than the title suggests.

He makes up somewhat for the narrow historical and geographic focus by looking at every aspect of reading life - from government propaganda, the role of writers, reading on the home front, and books as spoils of war and objects for restitution. (Treads some similar ground as The Library and also Kathy Peiss’s the Information Hunters.) Book lovers will find much to delight here. I know I did.

[Paul Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information and a spur to my memory of a box of books arriving to my unit in Vietnam. The historical overview of books read, stolen, victimized by bombs is stunning. I recall the hand-written Viet Cong training manual I had to assess for intelligence value. It was a book. And, I wonder what became of it.

[Yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about books: people who write, publish, and read them during war.

[Zhenia Khalabadzhakh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book and it shares very interesting history of literary production and dissemination; however, my main issue with the book lies in the lack of attention to any region beyond Europe, with just a quick mention of Chinese libraries that doesn’t go in depth. I think I was a little let down simply because of its misleading name. The book should have been named “the (European) book at (world) war (II)”

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a world which, currently, seems to be in a constant state of conflict, this is, perhaps, a timely look at the history of books, libraries and reading and how they have been used, misused, distrusted and brought comfort through the time of the American Civil war to the Cold War. However, as the author says, increased literacy means that much of this book focuses on the time from the First and Second World Wars. Increased literacy did not only read more people engaging with books, but also more political engagement from the population.

Andrew Pettegree looks at how publications such as, 'The Boys Own Paper,' was used as propaganda to help rally the cause to more unpopular conflicts (as well as providing a more moral reply to the 'penny dreadfuls' which were cheap and thrilling), through the use of purloined code books to crack the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, weaving through forces papers, comic strips, the increased popularity of libraries, how author's assisted the war effort, books that were banned, blacklisted and used for propaganda. There is also an interesting section on Penguin paperbacks, which were a change much resisted by the publishing industry, in much the way that currently ebooks have shaken and changed publishing. The cheapness, lightness and portability of such paperback books saw them beloved by soldiers fighting, those in POW camps and were also a cheap form of entertainment in bomb shelters, although many on the Home Front read less as war work and lack of sleep meant concentration and leisure time lessened. Also, children's books suffered, with the little paper available for publishing used to promote established authors, rather than risking new fiction.

This is not only an interesting account of the importance of books and readers during conflicts, but also of how feared books can be by governments and how countries react to such fears. One of the most interesting things to me was how Germany banned so many books in WWII, while England decided to just leave Adolf Hitler's infamous memoir in print and on shelves (probably thinking that reading it would only strengthen resolve) in much the same way they decided against banning progaganda radio shows by Lord Haw-Haw on the basis that it would only make it more popular. Considering it best to just pretend such things were not a threat and allow them to be read and listened to turned out to be a successful decision. However, with many countries now banning more and more books, and libraries under threat, this is also a timely reminder of how much comfort, knowledge and joy books can bring when times are bad.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating exploration of the intricate relationship between books, reading, and warfare throughout history, and a unique book unlike I have ever read before! Pettegree delves into the crucial role that books have played in shaping conflicts, as well as the profound impact that warfare has had on the dissemination and consumption of books. Pettegree’s research is extensive and meticulous, demonstrating his deep understanding of the subject matter. He examines various historical periods, from the Renaissance to World War II, and analyzes how books were instrumental in political and military strategies. The author provides compelling examples of how printed materials were used to spread propaganda, mobilize armies, and disseminate ideologies. He also highlights how the availability and accessibility of books influenced public opinion, shaped national identities, and fueled conflicts. Pettegree’s ability to connect the macro-level impact of warfare on the book industry with the individual experiences of readers is the foundational strength of this work. He explores how soldiers sought solace and knowledge through books during times of war and how reading materials provided a means of escape and education. Pettegree highlights the significance of books as a source of comfort and intellectual stimulation in difficult and uncertain times. He seamlessly integrates historical anecdotes, primary sources, and scholarly analysis, creating a well-rounded and captivating narrative. Pettegree's passion for the subject matter shines through in his writing, making it a pleasure to read. "The Book at War" also sheds light on the power dynamics between governments, printers, and readers. Pettegree explores how censorship, book burning, and control over the printing press were used as weapons in both literal and metaphorical wars. His examination of these issues highlights the complex and intricate relationship between books and political power. With its meticulous research, engaging writing style, and comprehensive analysis, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of history, literature, and warfare.

[Dropbear123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

The book is pretty good. It is mainly about reading habits, libraries, publishing and government policies on these topics during the conflicts of the twentieth century. Mostly British, American and German focused, and mainly WWII focused in terms of time period.

Part 1 covers books and learning prewar - ideological works that motivate men to fight (like Uncle Tom's Cabin before the American Civil War) and the emergence of staff colleges pre-1914.

Part 2 (in my opinion the weakest part) is about academia and libraries in war time - libraries and universities gathering papers and books that might be helpful for the war effort, academics who were spies, and mapping.

Parts 3 and 4 are about publishing and reading habits for the home front / civilians and on the front line / for the soldiers (including POWs) . I thought this part of the book was pretty good.

Part 5, a quite strong part of the book imo, is about the loss of books and libraries during these wars - either through collateral damage, deliberate cultural targeting (Nazis in WWII Eastern Europe for example) or theft of books (either organised by governments or individual opportunism)

Part 6, the final section is about post-WWII and the Cold War. However this is mainly the immediate postwar years (the removal of pro-Nazi books, and the topic of restitution of stolen books/collections). The Cold War section is one chapter that can basically be summed up as - CIA backed Congress of Cultural Freedom, pamphlets used as propaganda during the wars of decolonisation, and Mao's Little Red Book. It felt a bit tacked on at the end.

Overall, if the topic of reading habits and publishing in Britain, the USA or Germany in WWII (and to a lesser extent WWI and the interwar period) interest you then this book might be worth a shot. If you're interested in other areas or the Cold War era then this book probably isn't for you.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love books, books about reading, readers, libraries, etc. so this seemed like a fun read. I've read other books about books in wartime, so I thought this would be an interesting read. Author Pettegree looks at how books and literature are shaped by the conflicts that are happening around them.

Books are used to inform, distract, as props (think of book burning), as propaganda, etc. They also evolved with the times: as literacy became more accessible. Paperbacks became more popular and it was not unusual to see them in shelter libraries in the London Underground or stuffed into bags when fleeing for an evacuation, etc. Hilariously enough, libraries were upset by this new upstart that was cheap (and therefore more accessible).

While the book is filled with interesting stories like this, this was so dull. It felt like a long droning lecture and it appears the author is a historian with several publications. Again, the topic was really interesting and I love delving into the history of books and how they have evolved, etc. but...this really needed a better editor to cut down on some of the text.

I think books like this are even more important now. In the United States we are seeing movements to ban books, protests at libraries, movements by parents to stop their children from listening to books/stories that they feel are inappropriate (or even outright have them removed from schools, period). While this might not fit the definition of "war" as on the cover, it is certainly a war of sorts and this information is all the more important.

Good for the information but if you're just a layperson be prepared for a slog and take your time with it and/or be prepared to skim and/or borrow the e-book version if you only need certain information. I borrowed this from the library and that was definitely best for me.

[lifelonghistorylover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book at War, by Andrew Pettegree, provides us with a timely and thought-provoking look at the roles of books and libraries during wartime and the different ways the written word was used positively and negatively.

This book was meticulously researched; the author mentions how he drew on three main sources: books about war, the books generated by war, and archival material: contemporary letters, memoranda, diaries, the administration of wartime publishing and the displacement of libraries.

Andrew Pettegree looks at how books and libraries could be used as both weapons and persuasive arguments for peace during the time spanning the American Civil War to the invasion of Ukraine (although much of the content is focused on World War II and Europe). There is even mention of 21st-century wars and how living in a digital age has changed things when it comes to how we consume our information.

The reader learns about how war affected reading trends, how publishing was affected, and how cheaper books were an accessible means of entertainment and information for soldiers and families during wartime. How maps and guidebooks helped plan the invasion of Normandy, the scientific papers that laid the foundations of the nuclear age and the Blitz libraries of the Underground. The author also explains how libraries were not only destroyed to dismantle a culture, but they were also of great value and sometimes used to help one have a better understanding of the enemy. (The reason why some books survived!)

Although this is not a book I would have normally picked up, I found it fascinating, engaging and highly informative; it made me pause for thought many times during reading. I also loved the many illustrations and photos.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEST content, WORST narration

I wanted to love this book… I had even preordered the audiobook… so I was extremely disappointed when I began listening: the narration was terrible. A very monotone, slow, seemingly disinterested voice put me to sleep right away. I almost returned it, but I wanted the content. At first I listened to a chapter at a time when I was well rested and could tolerate it. I finally decided to finish it, and kept increasing the audio speed until 1.7 and it was ok, and eventually listened at 1.8 (I usually listen at 1.5). So, be warned! Probably much better in print. I listened to the Audible audiobook narrated by Sean Barrett.

The book itself was very well researched and written, and covers many issues related to books during and after WWII that are not, or barely, covered in other books on this subject. In particular: the protection and destruction of libraries (institutional and personal), the need for and distribution of books to prisoner of war camps, restrictions on printing (due to both paper shortages and propaganda/ political reasons), how book publications came back to life post-war (what was printed, translations, demand, distribution worldwide) and a bit on how libraries began to be built up again. A real ah ha moment for me was the demand for books for POWs for so long after the war, but of course it took years for the camps to wind down. I was also interested to hear about the role the Red Cross played.

[Mark Bowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enlightening book. Pettegree writes well but the book could have done with a bit more editing and proof-reading; it is slightly repetitive in places and there are a (very) few typos. It is also slightly annoying that British private soldiers are repeatedly referred to by the American term 'enlisted men'. A more substantive criticism relates to the statement that during the Middle Ages the works of classical historians were 'buried among the collections of Christian texts in ... monastic libraries, to be rediscovered' during the Renaissance (p 38). This is a somewhat old-fashioned view and surely not entirely correct. William the Conqueror and his companions were well acquainted with Suetonius's 'Lives of the Caesars'; the chroniclers who recorded William's deeds plagiarised Suetonius and other classical authors in a knowing manner that shows that they expected their references to be recognised by their hearers/readers.
But I learned a lot from this book about the uses and abuses of books and other printed matter in wartime from the later 19th century to the present. There is an emphasis on the two World Wars and particularly the Second, but this seems entirely justified. Pettegree has thrown some useful light on a neglected aspect of the experience of warfare.

[historic_chronicles · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world that seems to be in a constant state of conflict, this proved to be a timely piece of writing to explore. Investigating the importance of literacy across a vast period of time, more specifically during the First and Second World Wars with a fresh political engagement in reading materials, Pettegree dissects the different functions of books during the time of conflict. From comforting distractions to clever propaganda, enigma codes and banned literature, the reader learns not only of the importance of such books, but also of how their existence could help or hinder governments depending on their contents.

Pettegree handles his subject well. The level of research carried out is faultless and the author clearly deeply understands what he is writing about. It is always a pleasure to read an author's work when you can feel the passion coming across from the pages. To me, this makes reading a book that much more of an enjoyable experience.

A book about books, Andrew Pettegree clearly demonstrates his expertise in this subject. While this does cover various ages across history, this is essentially a study of the World Wars due to the increase in source materials to study. This is something to take note of, but I do not feel it hinders the book in any way.

[Becca Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

it is a fascinating and highly informative read. Yet it is rather unclear who it is aimed towards and what the topic of the book truly is, which makes it a disappointing as a whole. The writing and overall structure were a bit unfocused. As a book, the concept is interesting. However, the execution of the concept is poor. Despite some negatives, it is a fascinating read as it shares very interesting facts on the production and dissemination of literature. I think the title is what makes the book ultimately misleading. Its focus throughout is very eurocentric, and it overall lacks any true attention to any regions beyond Europe. Pettegree makes brief comments on elsewhere regions yet never goes into much depth. Further descriping the book as "an age of conflict" further is misleading as it focuses predominantly on both world wars, mostly the second. Pettegree analysis on the impact of literature during the 2 wars is enlightening, yet you'd expect more explanation on the impact on other global crises. I think Pettegree makes good points on how the role of books and the distribution of reading material works. However, I think he simplifies how complex the utlisation truly is despite how thoroughly researched the book is.

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books, information, and how it shapes conflict (and vice versa)…

The Book at War: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading by Andrew Pettegree is about the relationship between printed material and human warfare..

This book is all over the place. It’s about books about war, how war impacts books, and publishing during war.

While it would like to cover most of recent human warfare, a majority of the book focuses on World War II.

There’s some discussion of pproganxa and how it can influence public opinion (and examples during the civil war, World War I, and World War II), as well as how writing about war has influenced later struggles or made military information more widely spread

However a majority is on library management. It handles purchasing, distributing, and cataloguing books during wars. It also provides insight into how newspapers, periodicals, maps, and other library materials have been vital to research (either scientific or geography for military movements).

They even deal a little bit with pow book distribution and the kind of books soldiers on the March preferred.

Not what I expected, but very exhaustive…