Letters From the Boys: Wisconsin World War I Soldiers Write Home

Letters From the Boys: Wisconsin World War I Soldiers Write HomeLetters from the Boys: Wisconsin World War I Soldiers Write Home by Carrie A Meyer
ISBN: 0870208519
Published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press on March 6, 2018
Genres: Reference
Pages: 200

A collection of letters published in newspapers starting in 1917. Despite opposition to the war in Wisconsin, only 2 percent of eligible young men failed to register for the draft. Men from Wisconsin and Michigan formed the 32nd Division, a National Guard unit that was the sixth division to arrive in France. Seven thousand of its soldiers were transferred to the 1st (Regular Army) Division to provide replacements for casualties, but eventually the 32nd fought as an independent unit. These letters provide an interesting and sometimes humorous glimpse of their experiences.

Reviewed by Dana Lombardy, publisher of WWOI

The Great War Comes to Wisconsin: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Free Speech in a Time of Crisis

The Great War Comes to Wisconsin: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Free Speech in a Time of CrisisThe Great War Comes to Wisconsin: Sacrifice, Patriotism, and Free Speech in a Time of Crisis by Richard L. Pifer
ISBN: 0870207822
Published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press on October 31, 2017
Genres: Reference
Pages: 240

Political support for the war was weak in the Midwest in general and nowhere more so than in Wisconsin. Dubbed “The Traitor State,” its Senator Robert LaFollette became the voice and face of opposition to the war. But many Wisconsin residents served in the 32nd Division, “Les Terribles,” that fought from 30 July to 20 October 1918. It suffered the third highest casualties among American divisions.

I recommend this for anyone with an interest in the effect of the war on America’s warriors and its home front.

Abridged from review by James M. Gallen in RoadstotheGreatWar-ww1.blogspot.com/