And They Thought We Wouldn't Fight

by Floyd Gibbons

1918. Gibbons was a newspaper reporter, primarily for the Chicago Tribune. A well-known war correspondent, he was the first American to report on the Soviet famine of 1921. From the Foreword: Marshal Foch, the commander of eleven million bayonets, has written that no man is more qualified than Gibbons to tell the true story of the Western Front. General Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces, has said that it was Gibbons' great opportunity to give the people in America a life-like picture of the work of the American soldier in France. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

Genres: World War I, Memoir, Nonfiction, History

346 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1918

About the author

War correspondent for the Chicago Tribune during World War I.

His most well known are his reports on the Pancho Villa Expedition and the sinking of the RMS Laconia on which he was a passenger.

He lost an eye in world war I due German gunfire.

In 1918 he got awarded the French military award Croix de Guerre & in 1941 he was awarded an gold medal by the marine corps and became a honorary member.

Reviews

[Josh Dolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got three things out of this book:

1. American English has changed a lot in 100 years

2. America/ the West has for a long time now been utterly deluded in their purpose and function on the world's stage

3. If i were born 100 years earlier, I would be dead and blown to bits in some muddy shithole for no reason. I'll take my suffocating student loan debt over that any day, thank you.

[Baal Of · Rating 3 out of 5]

An first-hand account from world war I written by a journalist who spent time in the trenches alongside the soldiers. There is a tremendous amount of description of how the French celebrated the arrival of the Americans, with much rejoicing, flowers, flag-waving, etc. It starts off sounding glorious, but then as it transitions into the actual conflict, becomes much more gruesome. This isn't really my kind of book, but I did find it valuable reading. The best section was the one describing how Gibbons himself was wounded during one of the conflicts, shot 3 times, one of those through his eye and into his skull. This very personal narrative reveals just how unrealistic the movies portray what it is like to be shot. Later in his life, Gibbons became a pacifist, after decades of covering wars all over the world, which contrasts with his portrayal of the glories of war in this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gibbons’ book is based on his WWI dispatches for the Chicago Tribute and provides a first-hand account of the war from an embedded journalist (before that term even existed). We journey with him as his ship across the Atlantic is torpedoed, as he witnesses Pershing’s grand arrival in France, as the American troops are trained by the British and French, and as he descends into the hell of the trenches. More than just a narrative of the US entering WWI, this is a book that documents young America’s trial-by-fire as they emerge onto the worldwide stage in the 20th century, leaving behind their isolationist, pioneering early years and transforming into the global, industrial military power that is only now beginning to wane as the their superpower status erodes roughly 100-years later.

Gibbons’ details are mesmerizing and hard to stop reading: heading to the front in a small boxcar at the feet of eight skittish horses while an air raid begins; American soldiers having a last meal of wine and cheese a few miles from the front, their French server wiping a tear from her eye, knowing that the laughing youths are heading to certain death; and Gibbons’ description of his own injury -- losing an eye in battle -- in vivid detail.

This Lakeside Classics edition represents exactly why I love the books in this 115-year series. The generous Historical Introduction provides scholarly context for both the events leading up to the US involvement in WWI, as well as Gibbons’ own life and personal experiences as a reporter. The chapter endnotes and bracketed asides gloss important details and unfamiliar/archaic terms, while the full-color photos add to the enjoyment of the reading experience. These little Lakeside books are a treasure, and this one is a great example of the type of works they publish: exciting historical gems that would otherwise be lost to time or existing only in outdated editions gathering dust in academic libraries.

[Don Best · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book I would not ordinarily read but it was a gift and RR Donnelley Lakeside Press commemorative printing with the old fashioned gilded edges, case binding, beautifully printed hard cover edition that I being in the printing business truly appreciate behind the scenes work it takes to produce. One hundred fifty years RR Donnelley has been in the printing business and in light of the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of WW1, they selected Frank Gibbon's collection of essay's/dispatches from France as this year's book. The book contains a well written historical introduction by Michael Neiberg, Professor of History, US Army War College detailing the European powers slide into war, America's reluctance to get involved in old-world feuds and the events leading up to America's decision to finally actively join the fight to help Britain, France ( and to limited extent Russia ) defend themselves against German and Austro-Hungarian Empire building land grab going on world wide but centered on the battlefields of France. He also provides a biography of the book's author Floyd Gibbons who was a war correspondent for the Chicago Tribune prior to WW1 and in conflicts afterwards. Another local connection and a serendipitous element to the book since I chose to pursue a degree in journalism, appreciate all things associated with newspapers and the people that produce them. Gibbon's dispatches are refreshingly modern style in spite of being 100 years old and easy to read like well-written letters a soldier would have written to folks at home about crossing the Atlantic ( and being attacked by a U Boat), landing in France, being greeted by a grateful French people ( the banning of the name "French Fries" would come much later in Washington DC in reaction lack of perceived French support), British and French military commanders wariness about the new kids in an old war ( and the reason for the name of the book ), life in the trenches, the industrialization of killing that came about in WW1 and what I think are the most moving chapters of his being severely wounded ( losing an eye ), a reporter's instinct (as he acknowledges his desire to previously ponder) describe in detail what it is like to be wounded under fire, and the camaraderie that develops between men recovering from their wounds with medical technology that at the time was remarkable but now is crude by comparison. The book contains photographs and I always wonder if one of the men in the background is one of my grandfathers or his brothers who were some of those American's in France in the war. This book gives me insight as to what they saw, experienced and reminds me of a great regret I wasn't smart enough to ask at an early age what was their experience.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best war book I've ever read. Understanding the timing of the novel and the perspective of the writer is key, as some reviewers say that hinders the greatness of this account through the Great War. However, mature readers will be able to understand the author's historical perspective and biases, then use them to better comprehend the intense experiences occurring throughout the book. If you want a look into "what it was like" 100 years ago in the middle of the carnage, this book paints a picture for you that you won't soon forget. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.