Postcards from the Trenches: Images from the First World War

by Bodleian Library (editor)

World War I has come down to us in indelible images—those of airplane bombers, bleak-eyed soldiers, stern-faced commanders, and the ruins of countless villages. But soldiers themselves also took photographs on the battlefield, and many of their striking images were transformed into postcards that were sent home to family and friends or collected as war mementos. Postcards from the Trenches gathers a number of these postcards to create a striking visual history of World War I.
The cards in this compelling volume were created not only by soldiers, but also by embedded journalists from France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Britain. The images capture scenes both humorous and poignant, including soldiers having a mock party with little food to eat, wounded soldiers smiling for the camera, a makeshift trench hospital, the bloody aftermath of a battle, and a huddle of men taking what they know could be their last communion before marching onto the battlefield. Other cards document the mundane duties that dominated wartime life, including men digging trenches, troops marching to new trenches and battlefields, and or soldiers nearly comatose with boredom while waiting for the fight to begin. This stunning visual narrative opens a new window into one of the most analyzed events in history, as the postcards’ images testify to the resilience and bravery of soldiers in the most trying circumstances.
            A fascinating and unprecedented historical document, Postcards from the Trenches draws back the curtain to unflinchingly show the daily horror and humanity that define life in war. 

112 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2008

About the author

The Bodleian Library, established in 1602, is the main research library of the University of Oxford and one of the oldest libraries in Europe. In Britain it is second in size only to the British Library.

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Reviews

[Frederic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little collection of postcards, reproduced at about full size (with the backs smaller, but still legible). One from the nice series of books of historical postcards put out by the Bodleian Library.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Postcards collected by John Fraser and held by the Bodleian Library. Mr. Fraser began collecting post cards at a very early age. This small book includes postcards that depict photos of every aspect of World War I and include those of units from Germany, Great Britain, France, United States, Russia, Canada, Belgiam, and others. Photos of the cheerful and the wounded; those entrenched with others and those alone; those helping children and those directing the captured enemy; those that are like greeting cards from soldiers and those that show them standing over mass graves; others show chow lines and gas attacks.

Some seem to be propaganda to boost the morale of those at home and encourage continued support.

Each postcard has a brief explanation. Some have additional explanations that appear on the back of the postcard. In a few one is even able to read the handwritten messages soldiers mailed to those at home.