Great War (1914-1918): The Society and Culture of the First World War discussion

Welcome to a group devoted to the Great War. I hope we can have some interesting discussions about the varied aspects of the war. I know there are some other message boards solely devoted to the war, and this does not attempt to replace them.

I also would like to say that over the years, I have become something of an "absentee landlord" - I do not actively participate or moderate the threads anymore. When I started this group a decade ago (wow) I had more time and a different job with more free time. Nowadays, on occasion I will comment, but my comments are sporadic and inconsistent. Anyone should be able to start their own thread or conversation.

I have a huge backlog of books I want to add to the bookshelf; feel free to make suggestions, but please check the shelves first and secondly, don't take offense if it takes me months (hopefully not years) to get around to adding your suggestion.

If you need to get in touch with me, the best way is to PM me. I am (slightly) better about (eventually) responding to private messages.

Enough of the boring "admin" announcement -

So, for starters...what got you interested in the Great War? What aspects particularly interest you?

Hello, I joined your group today.

I became interested in The Great War through my love of History.

I most enjoy reading about the failed diplomacy, desire for revenge, and other causes.

I also enjoy the oddities, such as Merriam C. Cooper, later producer of King Kong, flying for the Kosciusko Sqaudron of Yanks immediately after the war for the new indepedent nation of Poland against the Soviets.

Hi, Donald -- welcome.
The history of the First World War is such a fascinating one, I agree.

Incidentally, for those interested in some of the political backgrounds of WWI as related to the Habsburgs, they may find another group I moderate of interest, also --

K. u. K. Habsburgs

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3...

Than you, Jenna. Virginia Cowles is one of the most readable historians for the period leading up to the Great War and has written several bios as well.

I own a wonderful photo illustrated book, THE LAST COURTS OF EUROPE by Massie and Finestone.

Hi, I just joined your group.

I got interested in WWI through Canadian literature. Several rather recent novels written by Canadian authors, like for example, Jack Hodgins, Broken Ground or Jane Urquhart, The Stone Carvers, deal with WWI and what effects it had on Canadians. I come from fiction, but I got more and more interested in history.

Welcome; And thanks for mentioning the fiction - I will definitely have to check it out.

Donald, Yes, I've enjoyed Virginia Cowles books and have a couple of them, and I agree Last Courts of Europe is a good book, and I have it on my shelf as well.

I've not had time to go through and add the books I own on WWI here...ack

Hello, I'm new to GoodReads, and this group! Like Fini above, I became interested in WWI literature primarily through Canadian authors, especially Timothy Findley's "The Wars". My other areas of special interest include memoirs (e.g., "Storm of Steel" by Ernst Junger) and poetry (the usual suspects, including Brooke, Sassoon and Owen).

Joie, I just finished reading Great Canadian War Stories which included an excerpt from Findley's book--enjoyed many of the stories very much.

Hi Joie,

I have just ordered a copy of Mark Zuehlke's book "Brave Battalion: The Remarkable Saga of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) in the First World War". Have you or anyone else read this title?

I love anthologies of great war short stories: I'll have to hunt that one down, Jenna, thanks for the suggestion.

I've not come across Zuehlke's work before, Rick, I'll have to look for that title as well. The last non-fiction I read was Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, 1917 by Ted Barris.

Joie wrote I love anthologies of great war short stories. I think my favourite so far is Edmund Blunden's 1930s anthology. It's surely one of the most "complete." Great Short Stories of the War England, France, Germany, America. I'm sure you've already read it though!

I've read Blunden's autobiography, Jenna, but for whatever reason, I've not run across that particular anthology before -- thank you! I'm going to see if a library near me has it on hand. I can't imagine how many more undiscovered gems are here in this group...goes off to browse the shelves again...

Hi

I haven't read that many books about WWI since college, where I had to read about them. I have always remembered reading about how Schlieffen, even when he was dying, insisted that the right had to be kept strong.

I did have an uncle who died in WWI at the battle of Verdun/the Argonne. And I suppose part of my interest in WWI would come from that. I had another uncle in Canada who had a lot WWI surplus gear. And I never knew whether he had actually been in the war or just like the gear. I still have a bag of his.

I have about nine or ten books here waiting to be read either directly about WWI itself or the time just before or after. They include Keegan, Macmillan's book about the peace. And I just got a book about the battle where my uncle died, To Conquer Hell by Edward Lengel. And my uncle is actually mentioned in the book (my cousin told me about it).

Hi folks!
Joined group today. I think what got me interested in the First World War was reading Norfhoff an Halls' "Falcons Of France" when in the 6th grade - its still one of my favorite books and has a special place on my bookshelf.
I find it surprising and sad that it seems to be little known or cared about in the US.

Weclome, Dennis. I have not heard of Halls' work and will have to look for it (and add it to our shelves here).

G'day all, another Aussie here, think I will stay & read what you all have to say, looks like a pretty good site eh! I enjoy writing & dedicating my 'war' poetry to all our boys who fought & are still.

you can find my poems here.

http://iwvpa.net/delaneydj/index.php

Jenna wrote: "Welcome to a group devoted to the Great War. I hope we can have some interesting discussions about the varied aspects of the war. I know there are some other message boards solely devoted to the ..."

Jenna wrote: "Welcome to a group devoted to the Great War. I hope we can have some interesting discussions about the varied aspects of the war. I know there are some other message boards solely devoted to the ..."

I started reading the Maisie Dobbs mystery series and through it became interested in learning more about WWI, beginning with the Complete History of the First World War by Martin Gilbert, All Quiet on the Western Front, Between the Sword and the Wall, and now I am reading the Guns of August. A good beginning.

Vera wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Welcome to a group devoted to the Great War. I hope we can have some interesting discussions about the varied aspects of the war. I know there are some other message boards solely d..."

Hello -- I'm also reading -- actually, listening on audible -- to the Guns of August -- and thoroughly enjoying it. It's much better than I had expected it to be.

I am still reading Guns of August, nearing the end. I think Ms. Tuchman did an amazing job describing the German philosophy of expansion, war and supremacy. The seeds of Nazi Germany were sown and beginning to sprout causing two wars and millions of lives. Thank God the Allies won both wars.

Let me suggest this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Threshold-Power...

AC wrote: "Let me suggest this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Threshold-Power..."

Looks great, if not pricey. It is definitely on my to read list. Thanks.

It's not simply a narrative - and a bit denser -- but powerful. Should be some used copies floating around.

It does look interesting but, as noted, a little pricey.

Maybe they have it at the library.

Found Threshold for about $32 and it is on its way.

It's a very powerful book -- the opening section (on background) is fascinating, though dense -- so don't be deterred. It is a tour de force...

I see no one has been here a while.....

Just joined this group. I have always been interested in both world wars, especially Australia's contribution. The last decade has seen a wealth of great new re-appraisals of the conflicts. My last read was Les Carlyon's opus "The Great War". I highly recommend it as a general overview of the 1914-1918 period.

Hi Sean, Les Carlyon's book; "The Great War" was an excellent read. Have you read; "The Anzacs: Gallipoli to the Western Front" by Peter Pedersen?

by Les Carlyon

by Peter Pedersen

Thanks Aussie Rick. I shall look it up. I'm off to the battlefields of France and Gallipoli in September 2011 so I'm reading up on everything.

That sounds like a great trip.

Are these books by Carlyon only available in Australia? I checked Amazon but either they are out of stock or out of print here ( America ).

Hi Sean,

I did a trip to Gallipoli and France/Belgium in 1990 and it was great, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun. Another book I could recommend that you could take with you would be Bean's "Anzac to Amiens".

by C.E.W. Bean

Jan C wrote: "That sounds like a great trip.

Are these books by Carlyon only available in Australia? I checked Amazon but either they are out of stock or out of print here ( America )."

Hi Jan,

I think you may find copies at Amazon in the UK but your best bet is maybe some online second hand dealers.

Maybe Powell's. They get a lot ofwill stuff. Plus they will put you on a list and notify you if it comes in.

Hi Jan, I hope you can find a copy, Les Carlyon is a great story teller.

I agree with Aussie Rick. Les Carlyon is a great story teller as well as being a great historian. His books are incredibly easy to read and totally immersive. I thought his "Gallipoli" was a refreshing new look at a subject which had gone quite stale. His use of humour was something that stood out as well. Something you don't find too often in war histories.

Realized I've been here for a while and never properly introduced myself! I started studying the First World War in high school with The Guns of August and never looked back. Since then, I've done both an undergraduate and master's dissertation on the Great War and am still fascinated by it. If I had to point to any favorite books, the list would definitely be topped by Frederic Manning's Her Privates We and anything by Peter Hart or Malcolm Brown.

Hi Bridget, good to see you here, I also enjoy the same authors and loved Malcolm Brown's books on the Somme and 1918. have you read any of Lyn MacDonalds books?

& by Malcolm Brown

& & & & & by Lyn Macdonald

Hi, I just joined this group. The Great War has always fascinated me and I have some books on the subject. My paternal grandfather was in the US Army during the war and went to France in 1917 with the 77th "Statue of Liberty" Division.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Bridget, good to see you here, I also enjoy the same authors and loved Malcolm Brown's books on the Somme and 1918. have you read any of Lyn MacDonalds books?

I had the good fortune to meet Malcolm Brown while working in London, and was amazed: he's an even better story-teller in person! Absolutely fascinating...

They Called It Passchendaele and 1915 : The Death of Innocence are two of my favorites!

...And welcome, Mark--and a salute to your grandfather, as well.

Hi Bridget, I'd love to hear Malcolm Brown talk and I'm keen to see if Lyn MacDonald will publish another book to finish off 1918! Also welcome Mark to the group :)

Hi, I just joined this group. I had to read "Guns of August" in high school and then write a term paper on it. I remember the book being hard to get through with a 16 year old brain. I recently became interested in WW1 due to doing family research and finding out I had a Great-Uncle who served in the German infantry and died in Verdun. I have read "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett and loved it. Looking forward to reading a lot more and I'm even thinking of giving "Guns of August" a second try with a more mature attitude!

Kristina wrote: "Hi, I just joined this group. I had to read "Guns of August" in high school and then write a term paper on it. I remember the book being hard to get through with a 16 year old brain. I recently bec..."

My great -uncle also died at Verdun, on the American side. I referenced a book above, To Conquer Hell, about the battle, probably with an American slant. It was written by a relative of Alvin York.

Thanks Jan! I'll put that one on my to-read list immediately!

Welcome, Kristina. The Ken Follett book sounds interesting also.

Hi .. I've just joined the group . I was brought up to remember those who had fought for 'our' freedom and helped my late father with the Poppy Appeal . He was chairman of our local British Legion and of the Poppy Appeal and fought during the 2nd World War . My grand-father joined the army in 1910 and served until 1933 but it was during my research on him during the 1st World War and the battle that he won the DCM that i started buying books on the subject . I have many books and some of my favourite authors are Malcolm Brown , Vera Brittain , Denis Winter and Siegfried Sassoon . At the moment i'm reading 'They Called It Passchendaele 'by Lyn Macdonald and i'm finding it a really good book . I have her 'The Roses of No Man's Land ' Somme ' and To The Last Man : Spring 1918 ready to read after !

Hi Melita, good to see you, I love all those authors you have mentioned but Lyn Macdonald is one of my favourite Great War authors.

Hi Melita and welcome!

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Melita, good to see you, I love all those authors you have mentioned but Lyn Macdonald is one of my favourite Great War authors."

Hi Aussie Rick .. I have just finished 'They Called It Passchendaele ' brilliant book . I'm now going to start reading her ' Somme ' . Thank you for your welcome !

Hi Melita, her book on the Somme is one of my favourite accounts, up there with "The First day on the Somme" by Martin Middlebrook. I hope you enjoy it.

by Martin Middlebrook

Hi Thank you for my welcome . Well i'm a few chapters in now of Lyn MacDonald's 'Somme' , and its as good as her 'They Called It Passchendaele'. She uses her words to paint a picture and includes many soldier's accounts in her writing . Very moving in places and it leaves you with what these brave men did ,what they had to put up with , the terrible sights they saw , and how the hell 'did' they manage to do it . Heros one and all !