World War I

[close] A place to discuss the cultural milieu of the Great War (also referred to as the First World War, World War I, WWI, World War One). The intent of this group is to discuss the cultural significance, legacy, arts, relating to Great War. This could include cultural studies (i.e. Fussell) or fiction during the war era (i.e. Willa Cather) or fiction set during the war written later (i.e. Jacqueline Winspear, Anne Perry).

[close] To truly recognize the military and veteran community is to be informed of the various and complex histories, experiences, and narratives of military culture and veteran knowledge. The MAVRC Book Club, organized by the Military and Veteran Veteran Services at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), will present a series of readings and discussions to better comprehend and interpret the policies and procedures that developed the United States Armed Forces, and make sense of the terrain and bureaucracy that military personnel and veterans navigate daily. Hosting such a book club will cultivate conversations with the purpose of dismantling stereotypes and the romanticism on the meaning of service. Through its diverse readings, the book club aims to highlight the contributions of its veterans, dissect the policies and procedures that have shaped military and veteran life, and to gain a worldly perspective on the conflicts that the United States Armed Forces has engaged in since its formal establishment. All book club meetings are open virtually to the public. Trigger warning: Books selected may deal with themes and topics of war and combat; sexual assault, abuse, harassment, and violence; disabilities, physical and mental health, and trauma; gender and sexual identity; race, culture, and ethnicity; and politics and religion. Politics of the authors of selected readings are not reflective of the Military and Veteran Resource Center. Differing opinions and worldviews should be communicated intellectually with respect and understanding.

[close] World War One serves as a boundary between the age of royalty and that of modernity. 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities in the Great War. Join us as we explore the history of this epic event by reading the greatest books on the topic.

[close] We are currently part way through the Centenary of WW1 and during the remaining year of this anniversary, I want to read as much as possible about this period. From fiction, poems, non-fiction, plays and even graphic novels - there are so many angles and perceptions from which to read about this brutal yet important period of history. I find myself increasingly fascinated by history. Is it because as our elder generations move on, we become unconsciously worried that the next generation will never learn about the stories and the events that were important to their ancestors? Perhaps. I'm proposing to start reading a relevant book a month from September 2017 and in the meantime, I will start to compile reading ideas and seek to gain members who'd like to commemorate the Great War in this way. A list of potential titles to read: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/100793.WW1_Centenary_Potential_Reading_List