Good Book

[Moose]

I am looking forward to this game, but in the interest of my historical education, I was wondering if anyone could answer this question? Does anyone know of a good book on the Great War that pays a lot of attention to the continuing influence it has on history?

I am very intrigued, and a little scared, about this war that has eluded my understanding having such a strong influence on current events, most notably the mid-east.

[FrankHunter]

Off the top of my head I thought Keegans First World War was the best single volume on the entire war. As for continuing influence I think he did address that, although probably not to the extent you're looking for. Been so long since I read it, back around when I started this project.

[Moose]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm currently reading Zinn's People's History of the US, curious to say what he has to say on the matter.

Anxious to see your game, I think it's so cool that someone is making a game of WWI, I've never personally seen one before.

[fahdiz]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

Off the top of my head I thought Keegans First World War was the best single volume on the entire war. As for continuing influence I think he did address that, although probably not to the extent you're looking for. Been so long since I read it, back around when I started this project.

I must second this recommendation. Keegan touches frequently on the deep connections between the First World War and the Second. Not to mention, it's incredibly well-written - gripping, even.

[Moose]

So basically you guys are concurring with the great reviews on Amazon? These things are pretty much what has been said there. I wanted to make sure I got the opinion of people I know are interested in the Great War though.

[Hanal]

Just because someone shares a similiar opinion from an Amazon review does not mean it was lifted from the site...the bottom line is that the Keegan book is very good and wouldn't you think people who read the book and posted a review at Amazon are interested in the period as well?.......Keegan also provides a personal flavor among the greater war by following the lives of specific individuals through the war years, like the poet Wilfred Owen.....

[wodin]

Keegan.

Im reasonably well read as far as WW1 goes. For an overall view go for Keegan.

For memiors I have a fantastic list if you want me to send it to you.


Another great historian is Hew Strachen.

[Hanal]

Tuchman's Guns of August is well researched, but the writing style is a bit dry.... Keegan is more entertaining to read....

[CSSS]

Try both Martin Gilberts and S.L.A.Marshal's WWI each write with unique stlyes and perspectives.Another very good author is Robert K Massie's castles of steel about WW I naval operations.

[Hanal]

ORIGINAL: CSS

Try both Martin Gilberts and S.L.A.Marshal's WWI each write with unique stlyes and perspectives.Another very good author is Robert K Massie's castles of steel about WW I naval operations.

Reading so many books over the years causes one's mind to blur... the Keegan book is still very good, but I think it was the Martin Gilbert book, that CSS mentions, which provides the personal accounts that I mentioned in my earlier post....

[Dirtdog20]

For a good and well written over view Sir John Keegan is one of the best. I am currently reading Strahans one volume work on the war and find it unfullfilling compared to his projected 3 volume history of the war. Dont mistake me Strahans is a book to read and full of topics Keegan dosent cover, but space has forced him to edit out alot of the side efforts that give the war it's historical color.

For a historical over view of West/Middle East relations I would recomend Bernard Lewis and his series of books and essays on that subject. Lewis does a very good job looking back and ties together alot of events that are talked about today as setting the stage for the current world we find ourselves in.

P.S. Get Wodin to send you that list. It has expanded my library by several volumes and all of them are new favorites.

[FrankHunter]

Just to stir the nest... anyone read Mosier?

[SirRodneyOfGout]

Hi,

Paul Fussell's The Great War and Modern Memory, and Modris Eckstein's The Rites of Spring are both about the social and cultural impact of the war. Neither are a history of the war, nor are they military history, but interesting reading on how the First World War influenced the way we think. Also good for gaining insight into the mentality of the politicians who tried, and failed, to deal with the rise of Nazi Germany.

For the continuing political influence of the Great War read Margaret Macmillan's Paris 1919 about the peace talks that resulted in the notoriously flawed Treaty of Versailles.

So many books, so many games, so little time [:)] Happy reading!

[IronDuke_slith]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

Just to stir the nest... anyone read Mosier?

I twice got a copy from the Library (amongst other things) and never got round to it. Part of it was seeing critiques in an other work. I guess I'll read it eventually. His basic proposition seemed difficult to sustain, but not surprising, this is the era of the Patriot and U-571 after all.

I'd recommend Travers and Sheffield. Sheffield is pretty revisionist, and paints a very non-traditional picture of the war on the western front. He's written on Haig, the evolution of British tactics and has a new work on the Somme.

He doesn't deny Keegan's traditional picture of slaughter, but qualifies it, and tries to explain it.

Regards,
IronDuke

[Dirtdog20]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

Just to stir the nest... anyone read Mosier?

I have read it and think it is a must read for a fresh view on the war. Not saying you have to agree with him, just that you should read it so that you can take your ideas out and look at them in a new light.

That being said I enjoyed the book, well written and supported I feel. Mosier helped to bring together some ideas that I had and spurred research into others. In that way you could say one of the better books out there right now.

[Moose]

Wow, this is great stuff guys.

I usually like getting my product reviews from as specific source as I can, I've seen too many general consumer magazines make bad reccomendations on issues that I am knowledgeable about.

[wodin]

Moose do you want me to email that lsit of memiors. Dirtdog bought some and really enjoyed them.

[fahdiz]

ORIGINAL: Moose

So basically you guys are concurring with the great reviews on Amazon? These things are pretty much what has been said there. I wanted to make sure I got the opinion of people I know are interested in the Great War though.

I don't tend to read reviews on Amazon. Keegan's book was recommended to me by a good friend, and I wasn't disappointed.

[Moose]

wodin, that would be good.

I often read reviews on Amazon, but rarely buy based on them

[Raverdave]

Keegan's book is good..............but for such a good over view it is sadly lacking in information regarding the efforts of troops from the commonwealth.