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WW1: A Layman's Guide: A Short & Straightforward History of the First World War
A layman's guide to the first world war.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2012
211 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 3, 2020
As I'm not an expert on WW1 history, I can't comment on the accuracy of the book, but my main criticism from the point of view of content is that it concentrates almost entirely on the battles in western Europe. If WW1 was truly a 'world' war, then presumably there must have been a lot going on elsewhere as well. Apart from a mention of the Gallipoli campaign and a brief chapter on Russia's exit from the war, the book makes no mention of anywhere outside western Europe.
Descriptions of the European battles are given in detail, but some maps would really help the reader visualize what was going on.
My main complaint, however, is in the writing style. The sentence structure and punctuation are atrocious. Several sentences are often joined together with commas, while other fragments are elevated to sentence status on their own. Some serious editing is sorely needed here.
Some readers will probably find the light-hearted writing style to be inappropriate for a subject in which millions of people were killed or wounded, in conditions scarcely imaginable by 21st century standards.
Descriptions of the European battles are given in detail, but some maps would really help the reader visualize what was going on.
My main complaint, however, is in the writing style. The sentence structure and punctuation are atrocious. Several sentences are often joined together with commas, while other fragments are elevated to sentence status on their own. Some serious editing is sorely needed here.
Some readers will probably find the light-hearted writing style to be inappropriate for a subject in which millions of people were killed or wounded, in conditions scarcely imaginable by 21st century standards.
September 4, 2018
I'd visited the Imperial War Museum recently and seen the amazing WW1 section, which got me interested to know more about this event. However I didn't really find the knowledge I was after, which was:
- to have a global view of how and why it started
- the countries involved, why and the reason for their alignment
- the political and military actors
- how the war played out around the globe
- what the major battles were
- how it ended and its consequences
In my view this book should be described as a guide to the Western Front and its various battles, heavily seen from the perspective of the Allies. It touches very, very lightly on other regions. Other points I mentioned are only very briefly touched upon.
- to have a global view of how and why it started
- the countries involved, why and the reason for their alignment
- the political and military actors
- how the war played out around the globe
- what the major battles were
- how it ended and its consequences
In my view this book should be described as a guide to the Western Front and its various battles, heavily seen from the perspective of the Allies. It touches very, very lightly on other regions. Other points I mentioned are only very briefly touched upon.
July 25, 2024
I picked up this book because I was looking for something to read about WW1. You see, WW1 is something that I felt I ought to know a lot more about than I actually did, and I wanted to learn more. I picked out this book because there were so many that were very military minded, following all the details of each battle, that did not interest me. I needed something that is not written for a military person, but a layperson. I also wanted something that would explore the societal reasons behind the war, and what happened after. After all, it takes more than a single assassination to start a world war, and some people consider WWI & II to be two sections of the same war, so there had to be more going on that I didn't know.
WWI: A Layman's Guide turned out to be a great read for my purposes. Addington's prose is conversational and informative, without being either pretentious or condescending. The chapters were short, which make the book more navigable when the battles were just continuing on and on without end, much like Passchendaele. I learned a lot about WWI: it was more than just trenches and mustard gas! One thing that really stuck out to me was how frustrating this war must have been to the fighters. It seemed like all sides endured losses in the six figures in almost every battle, and yet they often gained so little. It was a relief when everyone could see the writing on the walls.
WWI: A Layman's Guide turned out to be a great read for my purposes. Addington's prose is conversational and informative, without being either pretentious or condescending. The chapters were short, which make the book more navigable when the battles were just continuing on and on without end, much like Passchendaele. I learned a lot about WWI: it was more than just trenches and mustard gas! One thing that really stuck out to me was how frustrating this war must have been to the fighters. It seemed like all sides endured losses in the six figures in almost every battle, and yet they often gained so little. It was a relief when everyone could see the writing on the walls.
January 22, 2023
The book is simple and engrossing account of the First World War written in a simple way that still brings home the horrors faced by the soldiers in the trenches.
The style is more conversational than academic. This is not a complaint but a recommendation. We need more of such books as they help to make knowledge more widely known. It is easy to read and has piqued my interest in the subject.
My grandfather was a soldier at the Somme and was gassed. As a teenager I sent by my church to a man who fought in the trenches and was wounded at the Somme.
Read this book if you want a good introductory account of the 1914 - 1918 War.
The style is more conversational than academic. This is not a complaint but a recommendation. We need more of such books as they help to make knowledge more widely known. It is easy to read and has piqued my interest in the subject.
My grandfather was a soldier at the Somme and was gassed. As a teenager I sent by my church to a man who fought in the trenches and was wounded at the Somme.
Read this book if you want a good introductory account of the 1914 - 1918 War.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2017
Excellent book for someone who knows very little about WW1. I never liked history in school, but picked this up after going to the WW1 museum (which is too much to take in and digest), and I wanted more information and a better understanding of the spark that started the war, and why it went on so long.
This was really easy to read, easy to follow, and I could envision the eastern front and the western front and how the war was progressing as I read it.
Now I'll be moving on to other more detailed books, but I am really glad I started with this one!
This was really easy to read, easy to follow, and I could envision the eastern front and the western front and how the war was progressing as I read it.
Now I'll be moving on to other more detailed books, but I am really glad I started with this one!
January 31, 2020
Well-done
Spend an afternoon reading this history of World War I, and you will learn more than from any survey of 20th century history course. Addington starts with the problems of nationalism and alliances pertinent to the start of the war and then step-by-step reviews the major campaigns and battles. You learn the outcomes and the reasons this war of attrition played out for four years with little difference except in the horrific number of casualties.
I wish he had devoted a chapter to the civilian casualties and another to how the troops were living.
Spend an afternoon reading this history of World War I, and you will learn more than from any survey of 20th century history course. Addington starts with the problems of nationalism and alliances pertinent to the start of the war and then step-by-step reviews the major campaigns and battles. You learn the outcomes and the reasons this war of attrition played out for four years with little difference except in the horrific number of casualties.
I wish he had devoted a chapter to the civilian casualties and another to how the troops were living.
August 24, 2020
This is a great way to learn much more about a war that I've always found interesting but knew little of how it fitted together. As intended it's a quick resume of the basic timeline but the best way to get a feel for how things progressed (and who paid the price). What is really good is how Scott has listed a number of other books from where he obtained much of his detail and allows the reader to choose to follow up in more detail if they wish. An enjoyable book and I'll definitely read more of these layman series.
January 16, 2020
After seeing the film 1917, I realised that I knew next to nothing about the First World War, so I found this book and decided to educate myself on the subject a little bit. Usually, I find books like this really hard to understand and heavy on facts and figures but, for someone like me who knew nothing about it, I found the conversational style very easy to grasp. I feel like I now have a good overall understanding of the 'why' and 'how' of World War One.
December 8, 2022
Poorly written, even confusing in places
The author has no idea of how to punctuate, placing commas and semicolons at random or just skipping punctuation altogether. He chooses the wrong words and terms and makes light of the losses of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. With the writing this poor, one must question whether the information in the book is also wrong. Please, get a competent copyeditor.
The author has no idea of how to punctuate, placing commas and semicolons at random or just skipping punctuation altogether. He chooses the wrong words and terms and makes light of the losses of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. With the writing this poor, one must question whether the information in the book is also wrong. Please, get a competent copyeditor.
December 17, 2019
Reader review
Picked this up off Amazon as I was intrigued by the title. WW1 is a pet interest of mine and this does exactly what it sets out to do. I imagine anyone reading it will undoubtedly be searching for more in depth volumes, of which there is a very good list at the end. Job done, well done.
Picked this up off Amazon as I was intrigued by the title. WW1 is a pet interest of mine and this does exactly what it sets out to do. I imagine anyone reading it will undoubtedly be searching for more in depth volumes, of which there is a very good list at the end. Job done, well done.
May 14, 2021
This book, like the WW2 book, is a great read. If you want to know the basics of the First World War. It takes you from why basically it started, to the end and slightly beyond. From this book i have a better understanding of WW 1, than any other. Scott Addington has created precisely as it says "A Laymans Guide".
August 23, 2021
Concise, eminently readable history of WW1.
The most concise history of WW1 I've encountered to date. My first WW1 history was "The Great War; A Portfolio. All pictures with short captions. That started my interest, my parents memories of Armistice Day led to reading many histories of WW1. Of the 20 plus I've read this is best to date, well done.
The most concise history of WW1 I've encountered to date. My first WW1 history was "The Great War; A Portfolio. All pictures with short captions. That started my interest, my parents memories of Armistice Day led to reading many histories of WW1. Of the 20 plus I've read this is best to date, well done.
October 7, 2020
This book is an excellent way to introduce your self to the history of WWI, this book will wet your appetite for further advancement and interest of WWI, it will give you suggestions where to find more information for further studies on the subject
December 19, 2022
Mixed feelings. In some ways very accessible and succinct, but in the middle of battle chapters would lose itself and become very hard to follow. The addition of more maps or diagrams would have been really helpful in keeping track of all the characters and lines.
January 14, 2018
Cracking account.
A true and accurate account that pulls no punches and is easy to understand! Of value to anyone wishing to make sense of ww1
A true and accurate account that pulls no punches and is easy to understand! Of value to anyone wishing to make sense of ww1
October 15, 2018
An amazing book
An easy read which is both engaging and informative. As someone who rarely reads I managed to read this in 2 days. I literally couldn't put it down.
An easy read which is both engaging and informative. As someone who rarely reads I managed to read this in 2 days. I literally couldn't put it down.
January 14, 2020
Very interesting and informative.
September 9, 2020
Really needs maps.
September 14, 2022
Thumbs up!
This book does what the author intended. He keeps the chapters brief and enjoyable. Good starter book that wets your appetite for more.
This book does what the author intended. He keeps the chapters brief and enjoyable. Good starter book that wets your appetite for more.
November 21, 2023
Informative and easy reading history of WWI
Helpful guide to understand what lead to and key events of world war 1. Recommended reading if you want to better understand
Helpful guide to understand what lead to and key events of world war 1. Recommended reading if you want to better understand
April 14, 2024
I didn't know much about WW1; I know a lot more now. A very good, easy to understand book.
July 16, 2013
take this book for what it is and nothing more...it's a very informal "layman's guide" to the first world war and a nice little jumping off point to learn more about the first world war...provides a good overview, names, dates...it also has a great section at the end providing books to check out and read...take the book for all the above and move on, don't use it for in depth analysis or even quote much of it as "fact" (i listened to guns of august prior to reading this and the section in this book on the build up doesn't do that portion of history justice)...as a layman's guide five stars
October 28, 2014
Concise and interesting summary
Left out Grandpa Corporal Clyde W. Linton Sr's
winning the Distinguished Service Crosse
near Suippes France 7 Jul 1918
but then Grandpa had to have his arm
twisted to mention it himself
Didn't deduct a star for that
because I have a much better handle
on just what went on
Left out Grandpa Corporal Clyde W. Linton Sr's
winning the Distinguished Service Crosse
near Suippes France 7 Jul 1918
but then Grandpa had to have his arm
twisted to mention it himself
Didn't deduct a star for that
because I have a much better handle
on just what went on
May 26, 2015
Perfect as an overview
Brief and to the point, there is a lot of information here. I'm not sure whether the author's colourful interjections and flavor text were entertaining or hindering to my full understanding of the content. Overall, though very useful to anyone just looking for a brief overview of the first c
Brief and to the point, there is a lot of information here. I'm not sure whether the author's colourful interjections and flavor text were entertaining or hindering to my full understanding of the content. Overall, though very useful to anyone just looking for a brief overview of the first c
November 13, 2014
The book is exactly what the author describes in his forward. It is not a scholarly work, and it sketches out the events of the war in broad strokes to provide an overview for those who know little about the war. I think it achieves its main goal, but does not surpass it.
December 6, 2013
Decent primer for those of us who know little to nothing about the First World War. Definitely not a scholarly work, but it doesn't claim to be.
March 9, 2014
Readable WWI history. Different perspective. While he did focus a bit much on the dates and battles, he also focused a lot on the "why" which was what I was looking for. I learned a lot.
September 17, 2014
Concise and to the point.
definitely not for those seeking great detail but informative and a good starter book on WWI. I recommend the book.
definitely not for those seeking great detail but informative and a good starter book on WWI. I recommend the book.
February 17, 2016
Reads like an exam project from middle school. Seeped in "witty" commentaries from the author. If you like cringing, this is the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews