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Liaison 1914
Most World War I experts agree the "Great War" was decided in the first 20 days of fighting. Yet uncontrollable events sucked in gigantic forces that swiftly brought long, horrible mass slaughter because the stakes were so high. The early fateful days are described in fascinating, horrific detail by a British officer who, as a liaison between the British and French armies, possessed a unique vantage point for observing military strategy and politics.
- GenresHistoryWorld War I
588 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 17, 2025
If you ever watched the BBC’s 26 phenomenal episodes of The Great War from 1964, you would most certainly remember Sir Edward Spears. Fifty years on from the events of those long four years, his interview clips were so vivid and arresting, I wanted to know more.
Like many men of his generation Spears’ written style reflects the formalities and manners of the day, his voice is calm and measured, his analyses and thoughts considered - sometimes amusing, never flippant. He never lets us forget that his subject is war.
In this first volume the young lieutenant is there in the frontline of battle or in the closeted backrooms of decision-making at the highest levels. There to liaise between two armies who scarcely understood what each other might be saying, let alone able to interpret the subtle nuances of each other’s language, at a time when thousands of lives depended on their getting it right.
Born in France of English parents, bilingual from childhood, at home with French ways and an ardent believer in the spirit of its people, Spears helps us get under the skin of the French Ministry of War and the British War Office struggling to fight a war together, each on their own terms.
So, strip off the pin-stripe and a half-century of club lunches and wise words, see 28 year old General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, Edward Spears cinch the Sam Browne belt on his neat khaki tunic, adjust his cap, tuck a swagger stick under one arm and settle yourself down for a damn fine read.
Like many men of his generation Spears’ written style reflects the formalities and manners of the day, his voice is calm and measured, his analyses and thoughts considered - sometimes amusing, never flippant. He never lets us forget that his subject is war.
In this first volume the young lieutenant is there in the frontline of battle or in the closeted backrooms of decision-making at the highest levels. There to liaise between two armies who scarcely understood what each other might be saying, let alone able to interpret the subtle nuances of each other’s language, at a time when thousands of lives depended on their getting it right.
Born in France of English parents, bilingual from childhood, at home with French ways and an ardent believer in the spirit of its people, Spears helps us get under the skin of the French Ministry of War and the British War Office struggling to fight a war together, each on their own terms.
So, strip off the pin-stripe and a half-century of club lunches and wise words, see 28 year old General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, Edward Spears cinch the Sam Browne belt on his neat khaki tunic, adjust his cap, tuck a swagger stick under one arm and settle yourself down for a damn fine read.
October 16, 2020
I find it hard to believe that this book has only 6 ratings on Goodreads and no actual reviews. I came across it because Max Hastings, in 'Catastrophe', refers to it as a 'masterpiece'; otherwise it's likely I never would have heard of it. I find it incredible that such an enthralling, beautifully written, and important book is so poorly known - it is surely one of the greatest firsthand accounts of war that we have. If you have any interest in military history, in what it is like to go to war, or simply in what human nature is like under intense pressure, you should have no hesitation in tracking down a copy.
February 28, 2023
Liaison, 1914, Brigadier General E.L. Spears, London, 1930
In May of 1914, Spears, at the time, a Lt of XI Hussars, was sent to Paris to work alongside the French at their Ministry of War.
The author begins his chronicle in July of 1914. It had been decided several months before that the British should have a Liaison Officer attached to the French War Office. The first several pages of the book, chronicle the basic political, and social sentiment, activities and situation leading up to and just after the declaration of war. Each chapter covers a specific day or days. With Appendix, Index, pictures and maps there are 597 reading pages. There are 14 maps and sketches that are hand drawn and contain great detail.
What makes this book valuable are his observations and insights of French Leaders appearance and actions at the highest echelons of office. One particular Observation about General Joffre was quite amusing:
We got to Vitry-le-Francois, a tiny sleepy little town on the Marne. General Joffre was walking up and down talking to his ADC. He said a few words of greeting as I was brought to him, then resumed his slow walk. His hands were clasped behind his back….His red breeches were baggy and ill fitting. He had a big face, rather soft in texture, though not flabby…his chin was marked and determined…His cap was worn well forward so that the peak protected his eyes, which resulted in his having to tilt his head slightly to look at one. A bulky, slow-moving, loosely built man, in clothes that would have been the despair of Saville Row, yet unmistakably a soldier. Placid and calm were his dominant characteristics. He was impenetrably calm. Very often this baffled his subordinates. At times when expected to speak he did not utter a word. He has been known to arrive at a headquarters, listen in silence to what is said, and step back into his car without opening his mouth. Leaving queries, questions and requests for orders buzzing unvoiced in the heads of those he left behind, When this happened the effect was extremely comic to an onlooker…the group of generals and staff officers would remain riveted to the ground gazing in dismay.
The author goes on the describe the settings and officers of the headquarters he served, the cadence of the shifts, the organizational culture of the staff, and is sarcastic about the French Officer Corp, whom, in his opinion, had inherited the strange qualities of warrior knights.
The description of officer discussions of Papal Ordinances, and when one was absolved of one’s marriage vows is very amusing. There are many such instances of this throughout the entire book.
In the author’s own words, ‘[T]he object of this book is to contribute something to the true story of the war and to vindicate the role of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914. It is a narrative based on what I saw, upon the evidence of eye-witnesses, and upon documents. I have also drawn freely on the information contained in the British and French Official Histories.
Winston Churchill wrote the preface to this book.
The book contains 597 reading pages which include twenty chapters, thirty-eight appendices. an index, pictures, and illustrations. Several maps are placed throughout the book and at the end of the book are several maps and one of the Battle of the Marne.
This is an excellent primary source book and is also a reference that is cited in several of John Keegan’s histories. I highly suggest this book for its articulate insights.
In May of 1914, Spears, at the time, a Lt of XI Hussars, was sent to Paris to work alongside the French at their Ministry of War.
The author begins his chronicle in July of 1914. It had been decided several months before that the British should have a Liaison Officer attached to the French War Office. The first several pages of the book, chronicle the basic political, and social sentiment, activities and situation leading up to and just after the declaration of war. Each chapter covers a specific day or days. With Appendix, Index, pictures and maps there are 597 reading pages. There are 14 maps and sketches that are hand drawn and contain great detail.
What makes this book valuable are his observations and insights of French Leaders appearance and actions at the highest echelons of office. One particular Observation about General Joffre was quite amusing:
We got to Vitry-le-Francois, a tiny sleepy little town on the Marne. General Joffre was walking up and down talking to his ADC. He said a few words of greeting as I was brought to him, then resumed his slow walk. His hands were clasped behind his back….His red breeches were baggy and ill fitting. He had a big face, rather soft in texture, though not flabby…his chin was marked and determined…His cap was worn well forward so that the peak protected his eyes, which resulted in his having to tilt his head slightly to look at one. A bulky, slow-moving, loosely built man, in clothes that would have been the despair of Saville Row, yet unmistakably a soldier. Placid and calm were his dominant characteristics. He was impenetrably calm. Very often this baffled his subordinates. At times when expected to speak he did not utter a word. He has been known to arrive at a headquarters, listen in silence to what is said, and step back into his car without opening his mouth. Leaving queries, questions and requests for orders buzzing unvoiced in the heads of those he left behind, When this happened the effect was extremely comic to an onlooker…the group of generals and staff officers would remain riveted to the ground gazing in dismay.
The author goes on the describe the settings and officers of the headquarters he served, the cadence of the shifts, the organizational culture of the staff, and is sarcastic about the French Officer Corp, whom, in his opinion, had inherited the strange qualities of warrior knights.
The description of officer discussions of Papal Ordinances, and when one was absolved of one’s marriage vows is very amusing. There are many such instances of this throughout the entire book.
In the author’s own words, ‘[T]he object of this book is to contribute something to the true story of the war and to vindicate the role of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914. It is a narrative based on what I saw, upon the evidence of eye-witnesses, and upon documents. I have also drawn freely on the information contained in the British and French Official Histories.
Winston Churchill wrote the preface to this book.
The book contains 597 reading pages which include twenty chapters, thirty-eight appendices. an index, pictures, and illustrations. Several maps are placed throughout the book and at the end of the book are several maps and one of the Battle of the Marne.
This is an excellent primary source book and is also a reference that is cited in several of John Keegan’s histories. I highly suggest this book for its articulate insights.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews