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The True Story of the Christmas Truce: British and German Eyewitness Accounts from World War I
"One of them shouted 'A Merry Christmas English. We're not shooting tonight.' . . . [then] they stuck up a light. Not to be outdone, so did we. Then up went another. So, we shoved up another. Soon the lines looked like an illuminated fete." Rifleman Leslie Walkington
On Christmas Eve 1914, a group of German soldiers laid down their arms, lit lanterns, and started to sing Christmas carols. The British troops in nearby trenches responded by singing songs of their own. The next day, men from both sides met in No Man's Land. They shook hands, took photos and exchanged food and souvenirs. Some even played improvised football games, kicking around empty bully-beef cans and using helmets for goalposts. Both sides also saw the lull in fighting as a chance to bury the bodies of their comrades.
In some parts of the front, the truce lasted a few hours. In others, it continued to the New Year. But everywhere, sooner or later, the fighting resumed. Today, the Christmas Truce is seen as a poignant symbol of hope in a war that many people regard as unnecessary and futile. But what was the real story of those remarkable few days?
On Christmas Eve 1914, a group of German soldiers laid down their arms, lit lanterns, and started to sing Christmas carols. The British troops in nearby trenches responded by singing songs of their own. The next day, men from both sides met in No Man's Land. They shook hands, took photos and exchanged food and souvenirs. Some even played improvised football games, kicking around empty bully-beef cans and using helmets for goalposts. Both sides also saw the lull in fighting as a chance to bury the bodies of their comrades.
In some parts of the front, the truce lasted a few hours. In others, it continued to the New Year. But everywhere, sooner or later, the fighting resumed. Today, the Christmas Truce is seen as a poignant symbol of hope in a war that many people regard as unnecessary and futile. But what was the real story of those remarkable few days?
1 pages, Audio CD
Published January 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 26, 2023
Very interesting
*audiobook
*audiobook
August 23, 2021
On Christmas Eve, 1914, in trenches along the Western Front, some German soldiers laid down their arms, put up lights and started singing carols. Soon, the British soldiers did the same. This armistice lasted into Christmas Day and beyond, with a spontaneous meeting of the combatants in No Man’s Land. Gifts were exchanged and even football matches were played, and a legend was born. This book attempts to cut through the myths to tell the true story of the Christmas Truce.
The event has become almost mythological over the years and Anthony Richards reveals that even during the First World War itself some people doubted it had happened. As this excellent book reveals, there wasn’t one single truce but a series of small truces along different parts of the frontline, of varying duration. Drawing on newly discovered and translated German accounts of the Truce, we are able to get an insight into the other side of the story.
Anthony Richards sets the scene of the first few, arduous months of the First World War, when the harsh winter and other factors had forced both armies into trenches, leading to a kind of siege mentality. Eventually, the mutually awful living conditions would lead to a feeling of empathy -“live and let live” - between the German and Allied forces, and much fraternisation.
Soldiers on both sides received parcels of food and clothing at Christmas and their subsequent letters home, printed here, are poignant and revealing, as are the firsthand reports of the impromptu services and mutual goodwill on Christmas Day. Richards explores how the Christmas Truce was enacted in different places along the Western Front, including how both sides were soon helping the enemy bury their dead. However, the Truce was not recognised everywhere, and in some places the possibility of it was dismissed out of hand by one side or the other. It is also interesting that the Christmas Truce was viewed with suspicion by the senior commanders of both sides, and as an affront to the patriotic nationalism expected from the armies, resulting in official attempts to prevent future reoccurrence. As for the legendary organised football match, sadly this likely never happened, save for a few “rough kickabouts”. Richards also examines the causes and legacy of the Christmas Truce.
Full of riveting reminiscence from both German and British soldiers, this book is concise and well-researched. The legacy of the Christmas Truce will live on as one of the better events of the First World War. As the diary entry of a German officer succinctly noted at the time -“[We] were as happy as children at play”.
The event has become almost mythological over the years and Anthony Richards reveals that even during the First World War itself some people doubted it had happened. As this excellent book reveals, there wasn’t one single truce but a series of small truces along different parts of the frontline, of varying duration. Drawing on newly discovered and translated German accounts of the Truce, we are able to get an insight into the other side of the story.
Anthony Richards sets the scene of the first few, arduous months of the First World War, when the harsh winter and other factors had forced both armies into trenches, leading to a kind of siege mentality. Eventually, the mutually awful living conditions would lead to a feeling of empathy -“live and let live” - between the German and Allied forces, and much fraternisation.
Soldiers on both sides received parcels of food and clothing at Christmas and their subsequent letters home, printed here, are poignant and revealing, as are the firsthand reports of the impromptu services and mutual goodwill on Christmas Day. Richards explores how the Christmas Truce was enacted in different places along the Western Front, including how both sides were soon helping the enemy bury their dead. However, the Truce was not recognised everywhere, and in some places the possibility of it was dismissed out of hand by one side or the other. It is also interesting that the Christmas Truce was viewed with suspicion by the senior commanders of both sides, and as an affront to the patriotic nationalism expected from the armies, resulting in official attempts to prevent future reoccurrence. As for the legendary organised football match, sadly this likely never happened, save for a few “rough kickabouts”. Richards also examines the causes and legacy of the Christmas Truce.
Full of riveting reminiscence from both German and British soldiers, this book is concise and well-researched. The legacy of the Christmas Truce will live on as one of the better events of the First World War. As the diary entry of a German officer succinctly noted at the time -“[We] were as happy as children at play”.
June 15, 2024
I got this book after hearing about a group of soldiers on the front line taking a break on Christmas Day to play soccer rather than fight. I wanted to learn more about that bit of humanity in the midst of war.
Unfortunately the soccer game is more story than truth, and all the truth in this book was from lots and lots of quotes without enough context beyond them. Ah well. I still like the potential of the story.
Unfortunately the soccer game is more story than truth, and all the truth in this book was from lots and lots of quotes without enough context beyond them. Ah well. I still like the potential of the story.
December 21, 2024
Almost exactly 15 years ago I got a postcard for a university presentation called Letters From the Front. To this day I don't know if this was an internal production, a History Department presentation, a Senior project, etc., but I got tickets and went. It has remained my favorite Christmas production ever. And then came the actual production All Is Calm, which has played in various locations and I have now seen twice. This is one of my favorite stories from history. It is heartwarming and a commentary on the human experience. Honestly, it is perfect for the season. It should definitely be taught and discussed often.
I gotta be honest I thought Richards' thesis was that the Christmas Truce was all lore. Maybe I misunderstood the opening. And sure, I can buy that over the decades stories have perhaps grown bigger. But the primary sources available to us, and that form the foundation of both productions mentioned above, seem pretty clear -- something fairly remarkable happened. And Richards uses those liberally. So, then I thought his thesis was that this isn't really as fantastic as it seems on the surface. But, that's impossible to prove in any substantial way as it assumes perspectives and feelings that can only be inferred. So in the end I find I am not certain Richards has added anything to this history.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, once it got going it is interesting to hear the story told in a different way. I think I preferred it in dramatic form as that seemed more appropriate for this particular story, but this was a fine telling.
I gotta be honest I thought Richards' thesis was that the Christmas Truce was all lore. Maybe I misunderstood the opening. And sure, I can buy that over the decades stories have perhaps grown bigger. But the primary sources available to us, and that form the foundation of both productions mentioned above, seem pretty clear -- something fairly remarkable happened. And Richards uses those liberally. So, then I thought his thesis was that this isn't really as fantastic as it seems on the surface. But, that's impossible to prove in any substantial way as it assumes perspectives and feelings that can only be inferred. So in the end I find I am not certain Richards has added anything to this history.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, once it got going it is interesting to hear the story told in a different way. I think I preferred it in dramatic form as that seemed more appropriate for this particular story, but this was a fine telling.
January 1, 2022
This book was amazing. It had me hooked from the very start. It is truly awe inspiring book. I just loved the authors style of writing keeping the book light and following. Without packing it tight with facts that make it heavy reading. I just breezed on through it while learning so much. You could tell from the start that it was well researched. It was fantastic reading the eyewitness accounts of the truces and the fraternization between enemies on minute, friends the next then vice versa . I really enjoyed learning about how the officers and Higher up dealt with this. It was so factual and well layed out into nice easy chapters. I especially loved reading about one soldiers account of the truce from the Manchester regiment. Which is my home town, so I felt even more connected with the book.
I can't wait to read more from this author as he is one to look out for.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishing team for bringing a truly stunning accounts of the truces during the first World War in such a fascinating style.
I can't wait to read more from this author as he is one to look out for.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishing team for bringing a truly stunning accounts of the truces during the first World War in such a fascinating style.
October 11, 2024
When I first saw this title, I thought of the classic, A Midnight Clear, which describes a fictional truce at Christmas time between some German and Allied soldiers. This book describes a real truce 30 years earlier at Christmas time during World War I. It was a frankly bizarre event that spread rapidly along the trenches in which soldiers on both sides of the lines spontaneously began to speak to each other, exchange presents (usually alcohol and tobacco), and share a little holiday spirit in the middle of a war. The truce, while never formal, lasted several days in some areas before the fighting began again. The book ends with Richards trying to explain why this incredible thing happened and what its ultimate impact was. Sadly, part of its legacy was the determination of senior officers to never let something like this happen again (i.e. soldiers deciding to take a break from the fighting and celebrate a holiday together). This is a very interesting read and certainly appropriate for the Christmas season.
December 8, 2022
Fantastic book that I really enjoyed.
The book does a nice job of combining context setting and witness accounts of the truce.
Thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves me with the same feeling that all WW1 material does, "those poor men, why on earth did they have to throw away their lives for nothing?"
The book does a nice job of combining context setting and witness accounts of the truce.
Thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves me with the same feeling that all WW1 material does, "those poor men, why on earth did they have to throw away their lives for nothing?"
May 23, 2023
A wonderful book on every sense of the word. How a deadly conflict can immediately cease and celebrations take its place is fascinating. Not many books show the lighter side of the human condition but this one certainly did.
As uplifting as it can be it is a bit repetitive in the sense that most of the accounts say the same thing.
As uplifting as it can be it is a bit repetitive in the sense that most of the accounts say the same thing.
January 7, 2022
Interesting, but a bit repetitive
December 20, 2023
If you know the story behind the WW 1 Christmas Truce, it is absolutely fascinating and touching. This book didn't do justice to such a fascinating piece of history.
January 1, 2024
Decent. A bit dry considering the story, but a good overview.
December 24, 2024
Just about perfect in every way in describing this event.
January 30, 2025
Well done, to the point, and insightful
Enjoyed the story immensely. To the point, reads smoothly, and covers most aspects of the events. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Enjoyed the story immensely. To the point, reads smoothly, and covers most aspects of the events. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
March 9, 2022
This book does a great job in a short time describing not only the famous Christmas Day Truce of 1914, but the subsequent ones and how they were similar and different on the Eastern front.
July 30, 2025
A great, eyewitness-driven account of a remarkable moment in History, Christmas or otherwise. While a bit repetitive at points and somewhat slow-paced, the book was thorough and covered not only the history but then-present implications and background of the Christmas Truce of 1914 very satisfactorily. I would have preferred to hear more about certain aspects, such as the notion of "gentlemanly warfare" and how it played into the affair (which is only mentioned and not dwelt on sufficiently, in my opinion) and especially the legacy and historiography of the event, but the emphasis on eyewitness accounts, particularly with new translations of German accounts, gives this work a richness that is well worth the price of admission. A great Christmastime read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews