The Life and Times of a World War I Soldier: The Julius Holthaus Story

The Life and Times of a World War I Soldier: The Julius Holthaus StoryThe Life and Times of a World War I Soldier The Julius Holthaus Story by Clyde Cremer
ISBN: 9781491729786
Published by iUniverse on April 3, 2014
Genres: Biographies and Memoirs, Unit Histories
Pages: 436

An affectionate work about an ancestor by a U.S. Army veteran who found the spot in the Argonne forest where Julius Holthaus’ body was recovered and then wrote a story about him using Holthaus’ diary and extensive research.

The amount of detail is impressive, including notes about the German 76th Reserve Division that fought against the American 77th Division in 1918. Images display some of the German officers as well as scenes of American doughboys during the war, Julius’ mother and aunt at his grave during the Gold Star Mothers pilgrimages in the early 1930s, modern photographs of relatives and friends visiting in France, and the remnants of fortifications and trenches Cremer discovered.

This book really needed an editor. Too many ALL CAPITAL words and exclamation points (!) detract from the narrative. Tables on monthly production rates of artillery pieces are mixed with a table of brass used in military equipment, food prices in 1776 (yes, it says 1776), market reports for 1916, etc., etc. An end-of-book data dump that does nothing to further the story of Holthaus.

Reviewed by Dana Lombardy, publisher of WWOI

Severed Branch

Severed BranchSevered Branch by Andrew R. H. Mowatt
ISBN: 0595389945
Published by iUniverse on November 13th 2006
Genres: Fiction, Historical, War & Military
Pages: 320

Len's Summary: This story of the RFC’s air war in northern France moves back and forth from a present day protagonist to dream sequences, flashbacks to Royal Flying Corps aerial battles.

An Ace Minus One

An Ace Minus OneAn Ace Minus One by Timothy M. Morrisroe
ISBN: 0595391354
Published by iUniverse on August 22nd 2006
Pages: 620

Len's Summary: A novel of WWI in the air. A 14 year-old American flees home after killing a man, and finds himself in France first as an ambulance driver at Verdun and then as a volunteer in a French fighter squadron. Look for a review in Camaraderie.

Royal Flying Corps Technical Notes on the Airplanes and Engines of 1916

Royal Flying Corps Technical Notes on the Airplanes and Engines of 1916Royal Flying Corps Technical Notes on the Airplanes and Engines of 1916 by Patrick Ellam
ISBN: 9781450299480
Published by iUniverse on March 11th 2011
Genres: History, Military, Aviation, Transportation, General
Pages: 132

Len's Summary: How airplanes of 1916 were built and how to fly them, by a British pursuit pilot.

The German High Command at War

The German High Command at WarThe German High Command at War by Robert Asprey
ISBN: 9780595365654
Published by iUniverse on November 9th 2005
Genres: Germany, World War I, Battle History, Diplomacy and Politics
Pages: 558

Len's Summary: Looks at military operations from a German viewpoint; humanizes their military establishment and the Kaiser without justifying their actions. Good discussions of the Eastern Front.