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The Doughboys: America and the First World War
The Doughboys were the more than three million men, many of them volunteers, recruited from the cities and farms of the United States, who traveled across the Atlantic to aid the Allies in the trenches and on the battlefields of World War I. Without their courage and determination, the outcome of the war would have been very different.
Drawing upon the often harrowing personal accounts of the soldiers of the AEF, The Doughboys establishes the pivotal role played by the Americans in the defeat of the Central powers in November 1918. Gary Mead brings together a rich selection of archive material in an engaging account that is part military history, part social analysis, part memoir. The Doughboys records the events of the war from the perspective of the United States, highlighting the crucial part played by the troops of the AEF and exposing the prickly, often turbulent relationship between the American and the Allied forces.
Drawing upon the often harrowing personal accounts of the soldiers of the AEF, The Doughboys establishes the pivotal role played by the Americans in the defeat of the Central powers in November 1918. Gary Mead brings together a rich selection of archive material in an engaging account that is part military history, part social analysis, part memoir. The Doughboys records the events of the war from the perspective of the United States, highlighting the crucial part played by the troops of the AEF and exposing the prickly, often turbulent relationship between the American and the Allied forces.
478 pages, Hardcover
First published May 25, 2000
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About the author
Gary Mead
11 books2 followersGary Mead was a journalist for the Financial Times for 10 years and has worked extensively for the BBC and Granada TV. He was Head of Research with the World Gold Council before moving to work for various investment banks as an analyst. He was Director of Media for the Washington DC-based Institute of International Finance, and Executive Director of New City Initiative.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 11, 2020
On this, the 102nd anniversary of the Armistice, this book remembers the contributions of the Doughboy in defeating the Germans in WWI. It is quite detailed about how they got to France and their participation behind the lines, less so about their actual fighting. Pershing and many of his officers are the focus as would be expected. Frankly, I think the author was not as objective as he could have been about what the AEF actually accomplished. He made some good points about the folly of not marching into Germany, and related the somewhat humorous story of how some Americans tried to capture the Kaiser in Holland so he could be tried, but it's easy to talk in hindsight. America had not fought and died in the tragic figures that Britain, France and other Allies did. However, America's slow going in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive proved the cost of continuing the war.
Wilson's motives for entering the war seem to have have had, at least superficially, a good reason, but hatred, selfishness, and greed won out in the two decades to come. But then that is not surprising since those motives have always been with us right up to today.
Wilson's motives for entering the war seem to have have had, at least superficially, a good reason, but hatred, selfishness, and greed won out in the two decades to come. But then that is not surprising since those motives have always been with us right up to today.
July 25, 2016
I’d say this is a 3.5 star book. Some parts were really interesting and some parts weren’t. Overall, I feel like I learned a lot about America’s experience in World War One.
Here are some highlights:
When the US declared war on Germany, the size of the American military was tied for 17th place, along with Chile, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Once the US put together an army, finding ships to bring the AEF to Europe was extremely difficult. The British had the largest fleet in the world, but u-boats had taken a toll and there weren’t many ships sitting idle. The US didn’t have nearly enough ships to do the job. The British agreed to find shipping—as long as the troops brought over were used to fill in the gaps in British units, something Wilson and Pershing were extremely opposed to. The British and the French just wanted riflemen and machine gunners. The Americans wanted to send over complete units (including quartermasters, medical units, etc). In the end, the transport of doughboys was slow. The US didn’t have the shipping and the British kept hoping they could win the war with the next offensive and then they wouldn’t need the uncooperative doughboys anyway. About 46% came via American ships, but regardless of whose ships they were on, most doughboys said the filth of the journey rivaled the filth of the trenches.
I had no idea how controversial Pershing was in Europe. Pershing’s dealings with the other Allied leaders make the Patton-Montgomery disagreements in WWII look mild.
America was involved in “peacekeeping” in Siberia. They were supposed to protect the Trans-Siberian railway (controlled by roving bands of Czech soldiers) from roving bands of Communists while trying not to get into a shooting war with their allies, including roving bands of White Russians and roving bands of Japanese troops.
One entertaining incident was a plan to kidnap the Kaiser after the armistice and bring him to justice. An American colonel, three other officers, and three enlisted men drove to the Kaiser’s exile in Holland. They found his estate and managed to talk with one of the Kaiser’s sons and the local burgomaster. Alas, they weren’t able to see the Kaiser, let alone kidnap him, and were forced to return. Officially the trip was condemned, but according to rumor, Pershing later said he would have given a year’s pay to have taken the “trip into Holland and to have entered the castle of Count Bentinck without invitation.”
If you’re looking for an overview of America’s involvement in WWI, this book is a good choice, although I suspect there are other choices that would be just as good or better. Mead manages to cover the big picture and include snippets from first-hand accounts.
*review originally posted in Dec 2015. Updated in July 2016 to correct a typo.
Here are some highlights:
When the US declared war on Germany, the size of the American military was tied for 17th place, along with Chile, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Once the US put together an army, finding ships to bring the AEF to Europe was extremely difficult. The British had the largest fleet in the world, but u-boats had taken a toll and there weren’t many ships sitting idle. The US didn’t have nearly enough ships to do the job. The British agreed to find shipping—as long as the troops brought over were used to fill in the gaps in British units, something Wilson and Pershing were extremely opposed to. The British and the French just wanted riflemen and machine gunners. The Americans wanted to send over complete units (including quartermasters, medical units, etc). In the end, the transport of doughboys was slow. The US didn’t have the shipping and the British kept hoping they could win the war with the next offensive and then they wouldn’t need the uncooperative doughboys anyway. About 46% came via American ships, but regardless of whose ships they were on, most doughboys said the filth of the journey rivaled the filth of the trenches.
I had no idea how controversial Pershing was in Europe. Pershing’s dealings with the other Allied leaders make the Patton-Montgomery disagreements in WWII look mild.
America was involved in “peacekeeping” in Siberia. They were supposed to protect the Trans-Siberian railway (controlled by roving bands of Czech soldiers) from roving bands of Communists while trying not to get into a shooting war with their allies, including roving bands of White Russians and roving bands of Japanese troops.
One entertaining incident was a plan to kidnap the Kaiser after the armistice and bring him to justice. An American colonel, three other officers, and three enlisted men drove to the Kaiser’s exile in Holland. They found his estate and managed to talk with one of the Kaiser’s sons and the local burgomaster. Alas, they weren’t able to see the Kaiser, let alone kidnap him, and were forced to return. Officially the trip was condemned, but according to rumor, Pershing later said he would have given a year’s pay to have taken the “trip into Holland and to have entered the castle of Count Bentinck without invitation.”
If you’re looking for an overview of America’s involvement in WWI, this book is a good choice, although I suspect there are other choices that would be just as good or better. Mead manages to cover the big picture and include snippets from first-hand accounts.
*review originally posted in Dec 2015. Updated in July 2016 to correct a typo.
November 3, 2025
I didn't know or didn't remember the lloyd george and pershing conflict. a good deal of background rather than battles.
January 3, 2021
A task to read
The book reads like scholastic thesis only lacking the APA formatting and endless cites. Instead we have endless italicized sections quoting the participants. To his credit, the author provides some context to the quoted sections.
I bought the book so felt obligated to struggle through it although, I skipped over the chapters on the Russian adventure.
The book reads like scholastic thesis only lacking the APA formatting and endless cites. Instead we have endless italicized sections quoting the participants. To his credit, the author provides some context to the quoted sections.
I bought the book so felt obligated to struggle through it although, I skipped over the chapters on the Russian adventure.
January 31, 2021
This is a very well written book about the American Soldiers who served in WWI and in Russia/Siberia during the Russian Revolution. Although I have a few quibbles with the book, overall, this is a very well written and researched book - heavily based on individual interviews and anecdotes.
OK, my quibbles:
1. It completely ignores Wilson's call for volunteers to enlist and how much of a failure that was (calling into question the claim that this was a popular war).
2. It seems to confuse a volunteer Army (as the US has today) with volunteer units (like T. Roosevelt's Rough Riders), and thereby renders the suggestion that the only two options were having volunteer units assembled or using conscription (conscription was used because of the failure for the call to volunteers to generate sufficient volunteers).
3. Numerous times, the author suggests that WWI was a popular war - yet the policies of the government regarding dissent, etc. indicate otherwise. Also, although the author mentions desertion rates, he does not mention draft evasion rates. In fact, draft evasion in 1917 was likely widespread and the selective service act was effectively unenforceable. Also, the desertion lists for just North Carolina (available at https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/sea... ) suggest that desertion was a much larger problem than the author indicates.
4. There are a number of typos that are confusing, for example, late in the book the mention of the 1910s in a comment that must have been meant to be 1930s given the context. The book needed a good editor.
Now, the points in the books favor:
1. The premise of the book, that the American involvement in WWI was what allowed the Allies to win, and that their impact on the battlefield was massive, I entirely agree with. Without the American involvement, it is possible that Germany, etc. would have won, but I think a stalemate would have been more likely - resulting in another peace similar to that which ended the Franco-Prussian War.
2. The material regarding the sinking of ships in the Atlantic and the American and British response is well laid-out and gives a better indication of what the problem there was (and also how few Americans actually died as a result of it).
3. The discussion of the division between the allies, their inability to put together a coherent strategy or work well with each other, is not especially new, but it is an integral part of what was going on in the West in 1917 to 1918 and well described in this volume.
4. The British attitude towards the Americans and particularly the British attitude regarding the use of the Royal Navy and British merchant ships is well portrayed here and does demonstrate the British willingness to cut of their nose to spite their face. The withholding of shipping from the Americans was ridiculous and put the entire war effort at risk. Honestly, I'd be curious how Lloyd George would have responded if Pershing had responded to his demands in 1917 with "OK, we'll be going home. Enjoy your war."
5. The material on the US intervention in the Russian Revolution is excellent.
6. The material on contrast in the experience of American troops in both France and Germany is excellent.
Recommended book. But should not be the sole book read about The Great War.
OK, my quibbles:
1. It completely ignores Wilson's call for volunteers to enlist and how much of a failure that was (calling into question the claim that this was a popular war).
2. It seems to confuse a volunteer Army (as the US has today) with volunteer units (like T. Roosevelt's Rough Riders), and thereby renders the suggestion that the only two options were having volunteer units assembled or using conscription (conscription was used because of the failure for the call to volunteers to generate sufficient volunteers).
3. Numerous times, the author suggests that WWI was a popular war - yet the policies of the government regarding dissent, etc. indicate otherwise. Also, although the author mentions desertion rates, he does not mention draft evasion rates. In fact, draft evasion in 1917 was likely widespread and the selective service act was effectively unenforceable. Also, the desertion lists for just North Carolina (available at https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/sea... ) suggest that desertion was a much larger problem than the author indicates.
4. There are a number of typos that are confusing, for example, late in the book the mention of the 1910s in a comment that must have been meant to be 1930s given the context. The book needed a good editor.
Now, the points in the books favor:
1. The premise of the book, that the American involvement in WWI was what allowed the Allies to win, and that their impact on the battlefield was massive, I entirely agree with. Without the American involvement, it is possible that Germany, etc. would have won, but I think a stalemate would have been more likely - resulting in another peace similar to that which ended the Franco-Prussian War.
2. The material regarding the sinking of ships in the Atlantic and the American and British response is well laid-out and gives a better indication of what the problem there was (and also how few Americans actually died as a result of it).
3. The discussion of the division between the allies, their inability to put together a coherent strategy or work well with each other, is not especially new, but it is an integral part of what was going on in the West in 1917 to 1918 and well described in this volume.
4. The British attitude towards the Americans and particularly the British attitude regarding the use of the Royal Navy and British merchant ships is well portrayed here and does demonstrate the British willingness to cut of their nose to spite their face. The withholding of shipping from the Americans was ridiculous and put the entire war effort at risk. Honestly, I'd be curious how Lloyd George would have responded if Pershing had responded to his demands in 1917 with "OK, we'll be going home. Enjoy your war."
5. The material on the US intervention in the Russian Revolution is excellent.
6. The material on contrast in the experience of American troops in both France and Germany is excellent.
Recommended book. But should not be the sole book read about The Great War.
November 23, 2017
Yes, the American Army helped to turn the tide once it got involved fully in this most awful war, that much I completely understand and agree with. Mr. Mead's premise is a sound one, and I enjoyed getting the chance to understand the differing approaches that the French and British military officers held in regard to each other, and in regard to the Americans, specifically being that the French and British wanted to use the American Army to plug holes in their own armies, in their own lines and through this keep the German Army from finally being able to punch through for good. General Pershing was not interested in this approach, "if we're coming all this way to fight in this war, we're going to do it as Americans, not as mercenaries" he didn't say in these words, but in spirit said this. Why do I bring this particular point up, well because Mr. Mead brought this up over and over again, explaining this multiple times all throughout the writing of the book until I started to wonder if he had some sort of page requirement from the publisher that he was struggling to meet. Additional elements that he touched on repeatedly: the difficulty the Americans had getting their army over here (due to the British reluctance to use British ships), the British/French requests to send over just machine gunners instead of full armies, the French antipathy to the Americans, the post-war affection the Germans had for the Americans (and vice versa), and the bill. The writing in this book is good, and I do feel I learned some things by reading it, but the repetition needs to be toned down.
June 30, 2017
I give it only 3 stars, due to its limitations. Tho 400+ pages, the bulk of the tale is about how difficult "ramping up" a military is and the logistics of equipping them and getting them across the Atlantic, and the Pacific to (of all places) Siberia!
The struggle to keep them as a group under U.S. command and not mixed into European allies armies was eye-opening. Really, all our allies wanted were troops to fill their ranks, not our own.
Once there and ready, they acquitted themselves well. If they hadn't arrived to "plug the hole" left by Allied (mostly French) forces, the odds were Germany would've captured Paris 50 or fewer miles away within days. Other major battles the Americans also fought in were successes, tho costly ones.
Toward the end of the book the financial costs were estimated. They prove war is damaging to the world's economy as well as millions of dead and damaged by "diplomacy by other means."
This is a dry but powerful indictment of the difficulties and costs of waging war. The excursion into Siberia was an interesting sidelight into Russia in revolution and our indistinct role and enemy. In the century since that first world war we have seen a lot. The experiences of that war should've taught us all lessons in war's ultimate costs and futility.
The struggle to keep them as a group under U.S. command and not mixed into European allies armies was eye-opening. Really, all our allies wanted were troops to fill their ranks, not our own.
Once there and ready, they acquitted themselves well. If they hadn't arrived to "plug the hole" left by Allied (mostly French) forces, the odds were Germany would've captured Paris 50 or fewer miles away within days. Other major battles the Americans also fought in were successes, tho costly ones.
Toward the end of the book the financial costs were estimated. They prove war is damaging to the world's economy as well as millions of dead and damaged by "diplomacy by other means."
This is a dry but powerful indictment of the difficulties and costs of waging war. The excursion into Siberia was an interesting sidelight into Russia in revolution and our indistinct role and enemy. In the century since that first world war we have seen a lot. The experiences of that war should've taught us all lessons in war's ultimate costs and futility.
December 26, 2020
A survey of the American involvement in the Great War. The author examines the home front and the xenophobia and war fever that gripped the nation as the nation prepared to join the fight in Europe. The tensions between the Allies, Britain and France chiefly, with America, an Associated power is brought up again and again. New information for me as authors such as Tuchman, Keegan, and Meyer explore and focus much more on the European political theatre.
The vicious racism and the treatment of African-American soldiers is discussed. Woodrow Wilson's Southern views and segregation of the federal government is show in the segregated officer corps and the prevention of any White troops being led by Black.
American involvement in the Russian Civil War is given a chapter and this information is fascinating as it is yet another example of the United States straying from its founding ideals set forth by, among others, Washington who warned his young country to stay out of foreign entanglements. The American involvement in the rising Soviet Union did little to nothing to prevent the Bolsheviks from coming to power.
A good read and well worth the time of a someone interested in the American involvement in World War One.
The vicious racism and the treatment of African-American soldiers is discussed. Woodrow Wilson's Southern views and segregation of the federal government is show in the segregated officer corps and the prevention of any White troops being led by Black.
American involvement in the Russian Civil War is given a chapter and this information is fascinating as it is yet another example of the United States straying from its founding ideals set forth by, among others, Washington who warned his young country to stay out of foreign entanglements. The American involvement in the rising Soviet Union did little to nothing to prevent the Bolsheviks from coming to power.
A good read and well worth the time of a someone interested in the American involvement in World War One.
February 14, 2021
I never knew much about World War I but after reading this book, I feel much more informed.
There is a great deal of statistics which taught me how much equipment a soldier and an army needs while fighting a war on foreign soil. Yes, wars cost a great deal of money, especially when it comes to transporting the troops (doughboys) to Great Britain and France.
The book opened my eyes as to how poorly America was prepared to enter a War with small numbers of trained men, artillery, tanks, rifles, etc. More surprising to me, was the small navy we had compared to the British (largest Navy in the world) and to the Germans whose U-Boats sank so many of our ships, and so quickly.
Anyone wanting to be more informed about the "Great War", will not be disappointed by this read.
There is a great deal of statistics which taught me how much equipment a soldier and an army needs while fighting a war on foreign soil. Yes, wars cost a great deal of money, especially when it comes to transporting the troops (doughboys) to Great Britain and France.
The book opened my eyes as to how poorly America was prepared to enter a War with small numbers of trained men, artillery, tanks, rifles, etc. More surprising to me, was the small navy we had compared to the British (largest Navy in the world) and to the Germans whose U-Boats sank so many of our ships, and so quickly.
Anyone wanting to be more informed about the "Great War", will not be disappointed by this read.
January 27, 2018
Fine summation of the US involvement in WWI, making a detailed statistical case that the US participation - not merely its looming arrival in force - was outcome-determinative. It was somewhat idiosyncratic in its points of emphasis, but it did a nice job of alternating between dry but necessary facts and figures, battle descriptions and first-person accounts. As we enter the centenary of 1918, which saw both the beginning of the US intervention in force and the end of the fighting on the Western front, it is a nice reminder of the US's role, and sacrifice, in a war that has been largely stricken from our collective memory.
February 24, 2021
A History of the Great War for folks
Enjoyable book. I'm pretty well versed in the military history of The Great War esp the Western Front, but found new information and the book's lack of maps wasn't off putting . The author didn't get into details that made the maps necessary, of course if you're geographically challenged... The diaries of private soldiers were fascinating and their perspectives added much to the work. Liked his inclusion of the story of America's Russian Expedition into the book. It's a neglected piece of history.
Enjoyable book. I'm pretty well versed in the military history of The Great War esp the Western Front, but found new information and the book's lack of maps wasn't off putting . The author didn't get into details that made the maps necessary, of course if you're geographically challenged... The diaries of private soldiers were fascinating and their perspectives added much to the work. Liked his inclusion of the story of America's Russian Expedition into the book. It's a neglected piece of history.
December 20, 2021
The Doughboys: America and the First World War
This book is very well written on all the events that influenced the decision made about America's participation in World War 1. The book explains everything from who got drafted to supplies needed to fight. The book explains the command of General Pershing and his relationship with the British and French high command. I strongly recommend is book for people looking for an insight into World War 1.
This book is very well written on all the events that influenced the decision made about America's participation in World War 1. The book explains everything from who got drafted to supplies needed to fight. The book explains the command of General Pershing and his relationship with the British and French high command. I strongly recommend is book for people looking for an insight into World War 1.
February 7, 2022
Excellent treatment of the American role in WWI
America entered World War I in April 1917. A year and half later, 1.5 million US troops were the main factor in the climatic battle of the war, an astounding feat of administration, organization, and plain fighting willpower. The author treats all aspect of this often-ignored subject.
Text suffers somewhat from poor proofreading (i.e., “o” for “0)), but doesn’t detract too much.
Highly recommended.
America entered World War I in April 1917. A year and half later, 1.5 million US troops were the main factor in the climatic battle of the war, an astounding feat of administration, organization, and plain fighting willpower. The author treats all aspect of this often-ignored subject.
Text suffers somewhat from poor proofreading (i.e., “o” for “0)), but doesn’t detract too much.
Highly recommended.
December 19, 2017
Interesting History
I usually stick to WW2 books but I thought this book looks interesting so I gave it a try. I was not disappointed. In fact, I actually learned a lot. The biggest surprise was the fact that at the very end of WW1 we sent troops to Siberia. The book is very informative and if you're not careful you might learn something.
I usually stick to WW2 books but I thought this book looks interesting so I gave it a try. I was not disappointed. In fact, I actually learned a lot. The biggest surprise was the fact that at the very end of WW1 we sent troops to Siberia. The book is very informative and if you're not careful you might learn something.
May 8, 2022
A really solid book. One thing I especially appreciated, which I think is underrated, is how little it dwelt on the early part of the war. So many authors, I think, would have felt it necessary to run through a basic prier on the origins of the war and its progress through 1917... and Mead doesn't. He just assumes you know the basics. I dug that.
November 5, 2025
About as comprehensive an overview of the AEF’s experience on the Western Front and Siberia as one could want. No aspect of the experience is neglected. Throughly enjoyed the later chapters describing the major battles.
April 23, 2018
Although incredibly lengthy and sometimes dense, I thoroughly enjoyed the enigmatic history of the doughboys.
July 30, 2018
Nice historical story
This book covers the American military involvement in World War One. It’s a good story, but it does drag on a little at some points
This book covers the American military involvement in World War One. It’s a good story, but it does drag on a little at some points
November 6, 2018
Wonderful book
I read it from start to finish. A riveting story of the United States of America involvement in World War One
I read it from start to finish. A riveting story of the United States of America involvement in World War One
April 19, 2021
Good read.
February 26, 2020
Excellent work. Mead mixes the historical events with the personal stories to make this history into a fabulous story. Worth your time.
August 23, 2016
An outstanding review of the US involvement in WWI. Well written, well researched and largely interesting.
I didn't give it five stars for two reasons:
1. The frequent use of single anecdotes to create sweeping generalizations and opinions.
2. The author seems terribly pink, a few examples: He criticizes the Germans for their delay in evacuating from the Baltic states after the war, making them seem like simply alien invaders who won't keep their word not recognizing the strong German interest historically in the Baltic and the German desire to help the Baltic states resist the Bolsheviks. He spends a great deal of time writing of the White atrocities in Russia rarely if ever mentioning Bolshevik outrages; he describes on massacre of US Platoon near Vladivostok, and in the next paragraph again writes of predatory White bandits, implying the attack on the US encampment was the result of White Bandits when the attackers were Bolsheviks. Anarchists, socialist, pacifists and Blacks seem to have been among the greatest victims of the US during WWII.
I didn't give it five stars for two reasons:
1. The frequent use of single anecdotes to create sweeping generalizations and opinions.
2. The author seems terribly pink, a few examples: He criticizes the Germans for their delay in evacuating from the Baltic states after the war, making them seem like simply alien invaders who won't keep their word not recognizing the strong German interest historically in the Baltic and the German desire to help the Baltic states resist the Bolsheviks. He spends a great deal of time writing of the White atrocities in Russia rarely if ever mentioning Bolshevik outrages; he describes on massacre of US Platoon near Vladivostok, and in the next paragraph again writes of predatory White bandits, implying the attack on the US encampment was the result of White Bandits when the attackers were Bolsheviks. Anarchists, socialist, pacifists and Blacks seem to have been among the greatest victims of the US during WWII.
July 31, 2012
An excellent scholarly source. Large but well written so you don't have to trudge through it. Well indexed.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews