Carl’s Reviews > The First World War: A Complete History > Status Update
Carl
is 80% done
Americans arrive . . . negligible effect at first. Pershing wants an American army. French & English want the Yanks integrated. A bit of a compromise is worked out.
All sides expecting war to continue into 1919, even 1920, but Germans in summer of 1918 are being driven back. American army making more and more impact
Hemingway injured; poet Joyce Kilmer killed
— Sep 06, 2026 10:23AM
All sides expecting war to continue into 1919, even 1920, but Germans in summer of 1918 are being driven back. American army making more and more impact
Hemingway injured; poet Joyce Kilmer killed
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Carl’s Previous Updates
Carl
is 67% done
Grim.
Martin Gilbert is a great historian . . . work combines details of battles with insight into the human toll of war.
— Jul 31, 2026 05:09PM
Martin Gilbert is a great historian . . . work combines details of battles with insight into the human toll of war.
Carl
is 33% done
WWI started almost accidentally but continues due to greed of various countries, all hoping to come out better in land if they choose the right side. In the midst of the bungling of the politicians, soldiers fight bravely and die. Very bleak.
— Jun 02, 2026 11:59AM
Carl
is 20% done
Superb. I read Gilbert's THE HOLOCAUST years ago, and it was great. His scholarship is impressive, but what distinguishes his books in my mind is that he never loses sight of the fact that real people are involved in these battles, not just troops. He includes letters written home, interviews with survivors, etc. I'm going to read this in sections, 20% at a time.
— May 18, 2026 09:45AM