Verdun: The Left Bank

Verdun: The Left BankVerdun: The Left Bank by Christina Holstein
ISBN: 9781473880375
Published by Pen and Sword on February 29, 2016
Genres: Battles & Campaigns
Pages: 190

This is the author’s fourth book in Pen and Sword’s Battleground Europe series covering the Battle of Verdun in 1916. Although there is a short 2-page section at the beginning called “Advice to Tourers,” it is not meant to be a battlefield guide. The book includes a plethora of historical and modern black & white photos.

Most of the histories of the 11-month battle focus on the German capture of Fort Douaumont in February in the initial attack, the offensive of 23 June when French commander Pétain considered withdrawing, or the final attempt on Fort Souville that summer. These all took place in the central area of the Right (East) Bank.

There were nine battles in the area of the Left Bank, generally referred to as the battle of the flanks, that included the struggle to reach Fort Vaux. As author Holstein points out “During that period [end of February through May] the flanks were not a sideshow to the battle; they were the battle….”

Well researched and a nicely done short history.

Reviewed by Dana Lombardy, publisher of WWOI

Zeppelin over Suffolk: The Final Raid of L48

Zeppelin over Suffolk: The Final Raid of L48Zeppelin over Suffolk: The Final Raid of L48 by Mark Mower
ISBN: 9781844157372
Published by Pen and Sword on June 25th 2009
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Aviation
Pages: 160

Len's Summary: Good, brief work on a popular subject on the L48’s fatal raid of June 17, 1917.

Haig: Master of the Field

Haig: Master of the FieldHaig: Master of the Field by John Davidson
ISBN: 9781848843622
on November 15th 2010
Genres: History, Military, General
Pages: 192

Len's Summary: Concentrates on the dramatic events of 1917 and 1918 and Haig’s conduct of operations in the final two years of war.

They Shall Not Pass: The French Army on the Western Front 1914-1918

They Shall Not Pass: The French Army on the Western Front 1914-1918They Shall Not Pass: The French Army on the Western Front 1914-1918 by Ian Sumner
ISBN: 9781848842090
on May 19th 2012
Genres: History, Military, World War I, France
Pages: 256

Len's Summary: A survey history of the French Army.

The Russian Revolution: World War to Civil War 1917-1921

The Russian Revolution: World War to Civil War 1917-1921The Russian Revolution: World War to Civil War 1917-1921 by Nik Cornish
ISBN: 9781848843752
Published by Pen and Sword on July 2012
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Revolutionary, Europe, Russia & the Former Soviet Union
Pages: 144

Len's Summary: The Russo-German peace of Brest-Litovsk and subsequent civil war fought on many fronts and with much outside intervention. A History Book Club selection written by the former President of the Eastern Front Association.

Last Man Standing: The Memoirs of a Seaforth Highlander During the Great War

Last Man Standing: The Memoirs of a Seaforth Highlander During the Great WarLast Man Standing: The Memoirs of a Seaforth Highlander During the Great War by Richard Van Emden, Norman Collins
ISBN: 184884865X
Published by Pen and Sword on July 19th 2012
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, Military, History, World War I, Personal Memoirs
Pages: 208

Len's Summary: Memoirs of a British infantry subaltern illustrated with his own photographs.

Suvla: August Offensive – Gallipoli

Suvla: August Offensive – GallipoliSuvla: August Offensive - Gallipoli by Stephen Chambers
ISBN: 9781848845435
Published by Pen and Sword on February 2012
Genres: History, Europe, Great Britain, Military, World War I, Middle East, Turkey & Ottoman Empire
Pages: 250

Len's Summary: Battle analysis and tour guide wrapped into one volume. -- Story of a mismanaged initially unopposed landing that led only to stalemate.

Images of War: The Germans in Flanders in 1914 – Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

Images of War: The Germans in Flanders in 1914 – Rare Photographs from Wartime ArchivesImages of War: The Germans in Flanders in 1914 – Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives by David Bilton
ISBN: 9781848846500
Published by Pen and Sword on June 5th 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Illustrated
Pages: 176

Len's Summary: First in a planned series

Sailor in the Desert: Adventures of Phillip Gunn DCM, RN in the Mesopotamian Campaign 1915

Sailor in the Desert: Adventures of Phillip Gunn DCM, RN in the Mesopotamian Campaign 1915Sailor in the Desert: Adventures of Phillip Gunn DCM, RN in the Mesopotamian Campaign 1915 by David Gunn
ISBN: 9781783462308
Published by Pen and Sword on November 14th 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Personal Memoirs
Pages: 160

Passchendaele in Perspective: The Third Battle of Ypres

Passchendaele in Perspective: The Third Battle of YpresPasschendaele in Perspective: The Third Battle of Ypres by Peter Liddle
ISBN: 9780850525885
Published by Pen and Sword on May 14th 2014
Genres: History, Military, General
Pages: 544

Len's Summary: A multidimensional look at the 1917 Battle of Third Ypres by a much-honored British historian who delves into the archives of both sides.

Somme Intelligence: Fourth Army HQ 1916

Somme Intelligence: Fourth Army HQ 1916Somme Intelligence: Fourth Army HQ 1916 by William Langford
ISBN: 9781781590829
Published by Pen and Sword on August 5th 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 160

Len's Summary: Based on a soldier’s handwritten journal of documents, intercepted messages, prisoner interrogations and other materials.

The Germans in Flanders 1917-1918

The Germans in Flanders 1917-1918The Germans in Flanders 1917-1918 by David Bilton
ISBN: 9781848846500
Published by Pen and Sword on June 5th 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 176

Len's Summary: Twenty three months of battles from the German point of view.

With the Tanks, 1916-1918

With the Tanks, 1916-1918With the Tanks 1916-1918 by W.H.L Watson
ISBN: 9781783463152
Published by Pen and Sword on March 11th 2014
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 256

Len's Summary: Reminiscences of a front line volunteer.

1914: Voices from the Battlefield

1914: Voices from the Battlefield1914: Voices from the Battlefield by Matthew Richardson
ISBN: 9781848847774
Published by Pen and Sword on October 2nd 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 296

Len's Summary: Eyewitness accounts of the initial battles. -- Narrative emphasizing the experiences of ordinary British Tommies and sublantern.

Pioneer Battalions of the Great War

Pioneer Battalions of the Great WarPioneer Battalions of the Great War by K.W. Mitchinson
ISBN: 9781783461790
Published by Pen and Sword on February 10th 2014
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 336

Len's Summary: A new concept (copied by the US Army) designed to provide the Royal Engineers with labor and relieve the infantry from many fatiguing non-combat duties.

The Home Front in World War One: When Sheffield Went to War

The Home Front in World War One: When Sheffield Went to WarThe Home Front in World War One: When Sheffield Went to War by Scott Lomax
ISBN: 9781781592960
Published by Pen and Sword on January 15th 2014
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 272

Len's Summary: How the war changed a city.

Breaking the Fortress Line 1914

Breaking the Fortress Line 1914Breaking the Fortress Line 1914 by Clayton Donnell
ISBN: 9781848848139
Published by Pen and Sword on October 17th 2013
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 256

Len's Summary: The August 1914 German attack on France and Belgium. -- Intense fighting around forts and fortified towns (Liege, Namur, Mauberge, Verdun) along the frontiers.

Machine Gunner 1914-1918: Personal Experiences of the Machine Gun Corps

Machine Gunner 1914-1918: Personal Experiences of the Machine Gun CorpsMachine Gunner 1914-1918: Personal Experiences of the Machine Gun Corps by C. E. Crutchley
ISBN: 9781844153596
Published by Pen and Sword on November 28th 2013
Genres: History, Military, Aviation
Pages: 240

Len's Summary: Collection of personal accounts from British MGC officers.

The Courage of Cowards

The Courage of CowardsThe Courage of Cowards by Karyn Burnham
ISBN: 9781781592953
Published by Pen and Sword on April 30th 2014
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 134

Len's Summary: A history of conscientious objectors in WWI Britain.