First World War book reviews by academics, amateur historians, Western Front Association members and keen readers.
A Soldier of the 6th Division, incorporating …
Reviewed by Michael Lucas. A Soldier of the 6th Division includes an account, written from memory in 1976, by Thomas Br…
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I Embarked for France: The War Diaries and le…
Reviewed by Linda Parker. Although this narrative of a family’s journey and the mixed fortunes of war is focused on Eve…
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The Brothers Two: The War Letters of William …
Reviewed by Phil Curme. The letters of Private Bright Fraser, Artists Rifles, and his brother Signalman William Fraser,…
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Best Love to All: The letters and diaries of …
Reviewed by Phil Curme. The soldier’s experience during the First World War is far from neglected. The number of biogra…
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Betrayed Ally: China in the Great War by Fran…
Reviewed by Phil Curme. Although Chinese labourers were active on the Western Front throughout WW1 - and afterwards - m…
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The Three Emperors: Three Cousins, Three Empi…
Penguin Books, 2010, £10.99 (2010 pricing) 498pp, soft covers; illustrated plus notes, bibliography and index. Also …
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The Emperors: How Europe’s Rulers were destro…
Reviewed by Barbara Taylor. To understand how and why the First World War started it essential to understand how the re…
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Britain’s Quest for Oil, The First World War …
Reviewed by Chris Robinson. Britain’s Quest for Oil, charts the awakening and development of Britain’s military, diplom…
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The Siege of Tsingtao: The German-Japanese Wa…
Reviewed by Phil Curme. Tsingtao beer is ubiquitous in Chinese restaurants in the UK and throughout world. However, it …
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Stoker’s Submarine; Australia’s Daring Raid o…
Reviewed by Robin Broadhurst. Most naval historians know that the first two submarines through the Dardanelles were com…
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When the Navy Took to the Air: The Experiment…
Reviewed by Niall Ferguson. Those hoping to read of the exploits of the RNAS on the Western Front will be disappointed …
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Two Wheels to War. A tale of twelve bright yo…
My only experience of motor-cycling is as pillion passenger on a trip to Ypres 20 years ago. Since, as a mode of travel,…
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