What do you think?
Rate this book
Peace on Earth: The Christmas Truce of 1914
"What would happen I wonder if the armies suddenly and simultaneously went on strike and said some other method must be found of settling their dispute!" Winston Churchill, writing to his wife, December 1914
Very few events in history were as completely spontaneous, or certainly as unexpected, as the Christmas Truce of 1914.
Warring nations came together to honour tradition and celebrate their shared humanity, proclaiming an unofficial ceasefire as they swapped food, sung carols, and even played football matches against one another.
It is one of those very rare moments during the bloody twentieth century which provide a glimmer of light. It is in some ways the great overlooked moment of the past century – moving, hopeful and filled with possibility.
But how was it viewed at the time? And why did it never successfully happen again? What risks did the men in the trenches run, how did it come about, and did it change their view of the enemy?
The Christmas Truce has become a symbol of hope for human beings working together in desperate situations. But historians have argued ever since about its significance, ranging from those who believe it was an irrelevance to those for whom it was a moment of enormous significance – and part of that argument is the question of when - and why - the truce officially ended.
This book is designed to tell the story of the truce to a wider audience, as a compelling narrative, stitching together first-hand accounts of the soldiers who lived through it. A hundred years on, it is still a moment that resonates with audiences around the world.
David Courtney Boyle , born 1958, is a British author and journalist who writes mainly about history and new ideas in economics, money, business, and culture. He lives in Steyning in West Sussex.
Very few events in history were as completely spontaneous, or certainly as unexpected, as the Christmas Truce of 1914.
Warring nations came together to honour tradition and celebrate their shared humanity, proclaiming an unofficial ceasefire as they swapped food, sung carols, and even played football matches against one another.
It is one of those very rare moments during the bloody twentieth century which provide a glimmer of light. It is in some ways the great overlooked moment of the past century – moving, hopeful and filled with possibility.
But how was it viewed at the time? And why did it never successfully happen again? What risks did the men in the trenches run, how did it come about, and did it change their view of the enemy?
The Christmas Truce has become a symbol of hope for human beings working together in desperate situations. But historians have argued ever since about its significance, ranging from those who believe it was an irrelevance to those for whom it was a moment of enormous significance – and part of that argument is the question of when - and why - the truce officially ended.
This book is designed to tell the story of the truce to a wider audience, as a compelling narrative, stitching together first-hand accounts of the soldiers who lived through it. A hundred years on, it is still a moment that resonates with audiences around the world.
David Courtney Boyle , born 1958, is a British author and journalist who writes mainly about history and new ideas in economics, money, business, and culture. He lives in Steyning in West Sussex.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2014
30 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
David Boyle
232 books54 followersDavid Courtney Boyle was a British author and journalist who wrote mainly about history and new ideas in economics, money, business, and culture. He lived in Steyning in West Sussex.
He conducted an independent review for the Treasury and the Cabinet Office on public demand for choice in public services which reported in 2013. Boyle was a co-founder and policy director of Radix, which he characterized in 2017 as a radical centrist think tank. He was also co-director of the mutual think tank New Weather Institute.
He conducted an independent review for the Treasury and the Cabinet Office on public demand for choice in public services which reported in 2013. Boyle was a co-founder and policy director of Radix, which he characterized in 2017 as a radical centrist think tank. He was also co-director of the mutual think tank New Weather Institute.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 19, 2019
The true story (stories) behind the myth. This is a nice and brief book, well written and with suffice the historical evidence for what happened in 1914, the consequences and a analysis of the events. The only "bad" part is that only refers to British and German troops (maybe because those were the guys who fraternize the most).
By the way, Merry Christmas :)
By the way, Merry Christmas :)
July 16, 2016
Bewegender Bericht über ein hoffnungsfrohes Weihnachtsfest in den Schützengräben des Ersten Weltkriegs.
December 29, 2017
An enlightening little book about a much-mythologised event (or more accurately, series of events), Boyle's summary of what led up to, and the basic details of what happened when German and British (and Indian) soldiers declared a 'spontaneous' Christmas truce, is a good one.
Using mostly primary sources - letters home, newspapers, military memos - and later, more flawed recollections, Boyle convincingly and neatly lays out his argument for why the Truce (truces really as there were many different ones) happened, how soldiers and officers reacted and why, aside from some minor lulls in outright hostility, nothing similar happened in 1915.
He also explores the British military tradition of such truces and their utility for both sides, and name checks some of the people most opposed to them - Hitler and DeGaulle apparently weren't keen.
His argument falters in the last few pages when he bizarrely calls the truces "spontaneous", having demonstrated that they really weren't, and when he messily tries to tie those specific events and their causes into later military disasters. He also tries to suggest the truces were in some way to blame for people outside Germany embracing, or at the very least, failing to seriously oppose, the rise of Hitler's brand of fascism in the 1930s. These arguments are more interesting than they are convincing and probably should have been best left out of such a short summary altogether, leaving some more of the fascinating detail on what actually happened, as told by the men who were there.
Using mostly primary sources - letters home, newspapers, military memos - and later, more flawed recollections, Boyle convincingly and neatly lays out his argument for why the Truce (truces really as there were many different ones) happened, how soldiers and officers reacted and why, aside from some minor lulls in outright hostility, nothing similar happened in 1915.
He also explores the British military tradition of such truces and their utility for both sides, and name checks some of the people most opposed to them - Hitler and DeGaulle apparently weren't keen.
His argument falters in the last few pages when he bizarrely calls the truces "spontaneous", having demonstrated that they really weren't, and when he messily tries to tie those specific events and their causes into later military disasters. He also tries to suggest the truces were in some way to blame for people outside Germany embracing, or at the very least, failing to seriously oppose, the rise of Hitler's brand of fascism in the 1930s. These arguments are more interesting than they are convincing and probably should have been best left out of such a short summary altogether, leaving some more of the fascinating detail on what actually happened, as told by the men who were there.
December 29, 2017
Interesting
Very interesting , heart warming whilst harrowing at the same time description of incredible events. Events which must never be forgotten
Very interesting , heart warming whilst harrowing at the same time description of incredible events. Events which must never be forgotten
September 9, 2018
This was truly one of the most bizarre situations in the history of armed conflict. It was as if the universe was trying to communicate some futile and fleeting message.
September 12, 2020
an interesting picture of the men in the trenches early in the Great War
March 6, 2015
I wanted to read about the truce, so I searched for books to find out there are many options, around twenty, which shouldn't be surprising on the centennial. I'm certain some of these must be very good works, but I decided to try this one by David Boyle first for its very low comparative price. This came out as an excellent benefit - cost ratio, for the book is really a good read.
First thing you learn is there was no one truce, but a series of events, and that most famous event, the football game, was not just one as well, but several. So apart of really being a great story of all times, and well told here, it's also a well presented account, quoting sources like soldiers' letters and commanders' reports.
The author describes the conditions that led to the truce, of course the well known military and battlefield ones, but including some daily life and historical background I hadn't heard of before, like trench jokes and their origin. After the core of the truce happenings, there is also their fading away and the reasons for that. I liked the general evaluation. The book is totally recommended.
David Boyle has published quite a lot in different fields. I think I'll try next his book on Alan Turing and the Enigma .
First thing you learn is there was no one truce, but a series of events, and that most famous event, the football game, was not just one as well, but several. So apart of really being a great story of all times, and well told here, it's also a well presented account, quoting sources like soldiers' letters and commanders' reports.
The author describes the conditions that led to the truce, of course the well known military and battlefield ones, but including some daily life and historical background I hadn't heard of before, like trench jokes and their origin. After the core of the truce happenings, there is also their fading away and the reasons for that. I liked the general evaluation. The book is totally recommended.
David Boyle has published quite a lot in different fields. I think I'll try next his book on Alan Turing and the Enigma .
January 30, 2016
The final line of the Christmas carol IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR is,
AND THE WHOLE WORLD GIVE BACK THE SONG WHICH NOW THE ANGELS SING.
The whole world didn't give back the song but a very significant portion did, those soldiers fighting on the Western Front in World War I who participated in the Christmas Eve truce 1914. The truce lasted longer than one night, but extended close to New Years Day. This account of the truce and its ramifications is excellent reading. Unfortunately we remember the truce, primarily perhaps at Christmas Eve services that might touch on it, because the world has rarely sung the Angels' song since.
AND THE WHOLE WORLD GIVE BACK THE SONG WHICH NOW THE ANGELS SING.
The whole world didn't give back the song but a very significant portion did, those soldiers fighting on the Western Front in World War I who participated in the Christmas Eve truce 1914. The truce lasted longer than one night, but extended close to New Years Day. This account of the truce and its ramifications is excellent reading. Unfortunately we remember the truce, primarily perhaps at Christmas Eve services that might touch on it, because the world has rarely sung the Angels' song since.
January 4, 2015
Nice short "Kindle Single" read on the inspiring Christmas Truces that sprang up across the Western Front in December 1914. British-centric focus given that most of the reporting on the truces came from the British press (and the author is British). Would have appreciated a deeper explanation of why the truces occurred more sparingly between the French and Germans -- seems mainly because the embittered French were fighting for the physical integrity of their nation and the British were not facing such a direct threat.
January 11, 2015
A nice, short account of the Christmas day truce during World War I. It mainly focused on the British account and point of view as neither the French nor the German military acknowledged the event until much later. It would have been nice to see the truce from all viewpoints, but the bit I learned about was interesting. It also highlighted my need to brush up on my WW I history!
April 8, 2015
A time worn study on an event that confounded many at the time. My thought is that the men, on both sides of battle, at the end of a bullet had had enough and wanted desperately to rest. It always amazes me to read about some generals or politicians that feel they have the right to send young men to their death and not feel sad.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews