The Kaiser’s American

The Kaiser’s AmericanThe Kaiser's American by Edward J. Klekowski
ISBN: 9781539382423
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on October 16, 2016
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 292

This is the story of a Brooklyn man of German descent and his adventures in Belgium in the opening campaign of World War One. It presents an entertaining, almost unbelievable, series of events in compelling detail. Klekowski has written other non-fiction books, including Americans in Occupied Belgium, 1914-1918, and created several TV documentaries, including one on WW1 volunteer ambulance drivers.

The protagonist, Paul Meyer, enlisted in the German Navy at the beginning of the war and survives a crash landing of the Zeppelin on which he was serving as an engineer. His American attitudes clash with many in the German military, but somehow he lurches from event to event learning survival skills and giving the reader a look at the chaos behind the front lines of the German advance on the Western Front.

Unfortunately, the author adds lots of historical detail even when it interrupts the story—what eventually happens to famous historical figures who appear briefly in the book does not advance the story. An appendix or afterword would have been more appropriate. Despite this flaw it’s a good read.

Reviewed by Anne Merritt

The Larks

The LarksThe Larks by Jem Shaw
ISBN: 9781484060834
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on July 21st 2013
Pages: 390

Len's Summary: Tale of an 18-year-old youth flying pursuit aircraft on the Western Front.

The Old Front Line

The Old Front LineThe Old Front Line by John Masefield
ISBN: 9781499539769
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on May 13th 2014
Pages: 24

Len's Summary: A look at the Somme battlefield just after the battle first published in 1917 as propaganda. Masefield later became British poet laureate.

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe

American Armies and Battlefields in EuropeAmerican Armies and Battlefields In Europe by American Battle Monuments Commission
on August 18th 2015

Len's Summary: A combination history, photoalbum, atlas and battlefield guide for the American Expeditionary Force, this classic is now best ordered as part of the 3-CD set, The U.S. Army in World War I, offered by the U.S. Army Center for Military History at their website.

The Good Soldier

The Good SoldierThe Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
ISBN: 9781467964562
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on December 17th 2011
Pages: 136

Len's Summary: A 1915 story of deception and betrayal set just before WWI; by an exceptional British author who also crafted the acclaimed tetrology Parade’s End about his WWI experiences, A Man Could Stand Up and Zeppelin Nights.

Defeating the U-boat: Inventing Antisubmarine Warfare

Defeating the U-boat: Inventing Antisubmarine WarfareDefeating the U-boat: Inventing Antisubmarine Warfare by Jan S. Breemer
ISBN: 9781478386438
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on August 7th 2012
Genres: History, Military, Naval, World War I
Pages: 94

Len's Summary: Looks at why the Admiralty was so slow to adopt convoy as a means of combating the U-boat.

SEPPL – A Step Ahead of Politics

SEPPL – A Step Ahead of PoliticsSeppl by Klaus Veltjens
ISBN: 9781442145825
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on July 8th 2009
Pages: 264

Len's Summary: Biography of WWI 35-victory air ace Johann Veltjens, whose career extended into World War II; written by this son.

On Assignment: The Great War – Edward N. Jackson Photojournalist

On Assignment: The Great War – Edward N. Jackson PhotojournalistOn Assignment: The Great War - Edward N. Jackson Photojournalist by Joseph J. Caro
ISBN: 9781477548295
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on May 1st 2012
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Illustrated
Pages: 238

Len's Summary: A history of the war through the lens of Edward Jackson, President Wilson's photographer. Part of a series of Edward N. Jackson's photo studies of America in the WWI era covering such subjects as the 27th Division, Training Our Troops, the Armistice and Gold Star Mothers.

Irish Aviators of World War I

Irish Aviators of World War IIrish Aviators of World War I: Volume 1, Irish Aces by Joe C. Gleeson
ISBN: 9781480082328
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on April 1st 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Illustrated
Pages: 532

Len's Summary: The stories of Mick Mannock and many other lesser-known Irish flyers along with a taste of 20th century Irish social history.