Springboks on the Somme by Bill Nasson ISBN: 014302535X
Published by Penguin Global on February 13th 2008
Genres: History, Africa, South, General
Pages: 300
Len's Summary: A study of South African participation in far-flung campaigns from German South West Africa, to Egypt and the Western Front.
The German Army Handbook of 1918
The German Army Handbook of 1918 by David Nash, James Beach ISBN: 1844157113
Published by Pen & Sword Books on February 1st 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 186
Len's Summary: Compiled by British intelligence as a comprehensive assessment of the German Army organization, tactics and equipment at the end of WWI.
Liverpool VCs
Liverpool VCs by James Murphy ISBN: 1844157806
Published by Pen & Sword Books on September 1st 2008
Pages: 240
Military Intelligence and the Arab Revolt: The First Modern Intelligence War
Military Intelligence and the Arab Revolt: The First Modern Intelligence War by Polly A. Mohs ISBN: 9780415493314
Published by Routledge on November 1st 2008
Genres: History, Europe, General, Middle East, Military, World War I
Pages: 256
Len's Summary: His book goes far beyond Lawrence of Arabia. It examines the imaginative exploitation of intelligence in formulating an effective British strategy for supporting the Arab Revolt again the Ottomans during the First World War. For more on this subject see: War by Revolution: Germany & Great Britain in the Middle East in the Era of World War I, Donald McKale, Kent State, 2008. // The creation and ascendancy of the Foreign Office’s Arab Bureau created specifically to coordinate imperial operations in Arab lands. The hard, often dirty work behind the glamour behind Lawrence of Arabia.
Shrapnel and Whizzbangs: A Tommy in the Trenches, 1914-18
Shrapnel and Whizzbangs: A Tommy in the Trenches, 1914-18 by Jeremy Mitchell ISBN: 1841041920
Published by Memoir Club on September 29th 2008
Len's Summary: Based on the diary and notes of George Oswald Mitchell, one of the early members of the Royal Engineer “Special Companies” engaged in gas warfare. Available from memoirclub@email.msn.com.
Kingmakers: The Invention of the Modern Middle East
Kingmakers: The Invention of the Modern Middle East by Karl Ernest Meyer, Shareen Blair Brysac ISBN: 039306199X
on June 9th 2008
Genres: History, Middle East, General
Pages: 507
Len's Summary: A survey history of the evolution of the modern Middle East beginning in 1882, extending though two world wars and the Cold War, told through the lives of the Britons and Americans who shaped it. A synthesis rather than original research, but nonetheless a good foundation for understanding the region today.
Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922 – The Destruction of Islam’s City of Tolerance
Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922 - The Destruction of Islam's City of Tolerance by Giles Milton ISBN: 0340837861
Published by Sceptre on 2008
Pages: 426
Len's Summary: Smyrna was a multi-ethnic home to a cosmopolitan population and bastion of Greek and Christian civilization. When the Turks drive Greek forces out of Smyrna (now Ismir) some 100 thousand were killed. This book presents a timely reminder of the appalling cost of (in this case Greek) expansionist political ambitions as the victorious Allies carved up The Ottoman Empire with varying degrees of success.
British Popular Culture and the First World War
British Popular Culture and the First World War by Jessica Meyer ISBN: 9789004166585
Published by Brill Academic Publishers on June 19th 2008
Genres: History, Europe, General, Military, World War I, Essays
Pages: 383
Len's Summary: Essays by British social/cultural historians focusing on the cultural forms produced by a wide range social groups including veterans, women, museum visitors and film goers.
History’s Greatest Heist: The Looting of Russia by the Bolsheviks
History's Greatest Heist: The Looting of Russia by the Bolsheviks by Sean McMeekin ISBN: 9780300135589
Published by Yale University Press on December 16th 2008
Genres: History, Revolutionary, Europe, Russia & the Former Soviet Union, Modern, 20th Century
Pages: 302
Len's Summary: Exploring the final years of the Tzarist regime and the early years of Bolshevism with WWI as the backdrop.
War by Revolution: Germany and Great Britain in the Middle East in the Era of World War I
War by Revolution: Germany and Great Britain in the Middle East in the Era of World War I by Donald M. McKale ISBN: 0873389727
Published by Kent State University Press on September 1st 2008
Pages: 332
Len's Summary: A reprint of a 1998 publication analyzing one segment the so-called “Great Game” for Mid East domination.
Trench Warfare, 1914-1918
Trench Warfare, 1914-1918 by Antonio Mayoralis ISBN: 9788496658158
Published by Andrea Press on August 1st 2010
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 109
Len's Summary: A brief summary chronology of the development of trench warfare techniques, as well as associated transportation and communications systems.
For King and Country: Voices from the First World War
For King and Country: Voices from the First World War by Brian MacArthur ISBN: 0349120293
on February 5th 2009
Pages: 480
Len's Summary: A new anthology of poetry, letters, and memoirs available from www.amazon.co.uk.
Somme Mud: War Experiences of an Infantryman in France, 1914-1919
Somme Mud: War Experiences of an Infantryman in France, 1914-1919 by Edward P.F. Lynch, Will Davies ISBN: 1741668948
Published by Random House Australia on April 1st 2008
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, General, History, Military, World War I, World, Technology & Engineering, Military Science
Pages: 368
Len's Summary: Memoir of a British veteran first published in 2006. // War memoir of an Australian written in 1921 and only now published.
Stanley Spencer’s Great War Diary, 1915-1918
Stanley Spencer's Great War Diary, 1915-1918 by Stanley Spencer, Arthur Littlewood ISBN: 9781844157785
Published by Pen & Sword Military on 2008
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, General, History, Military, World War I
Pages: 176
Len's Summary: The editor provides a commentary for these recently-discovered letters from a VC winner. // Diaries of a British veteran. // Written by a veteran of the Royal Fusiliers and West Yorkshire regiments who served from 1915 on the Somme, at Moutaubon and Vimy.
Balfour and Weizmann: The Zionist, the Zealot and the Emergence of Israel
Balfour and Weizmann: The Zionist, the Zealot and the Emergence of Israel by Geoffrey Lewis ISBN: 9781847250407
Published by A&C Black on May 31st 2009
Genres: History, Ancient, General, Europe, Great Britain, Middle East, Israel & Palestine, Political Science, International Relations, Diplomacy
Pages: 203
Len's Summary: Explores the relationship between the British Foreign Secretary and Chaim Weizmann the British chemist, Zionist and first President of Israel.
Forgotten Voices of the Somme: The Most Devastating Battle of the Great War in the Words of Those Who Survived
Forgotten Voices of the Somme: The Most Devastating Battle of the Great War in the Words of Those Who Survived by Joshua Levine ISBN: 9780091926281
Published by Ebury Press on October 1st 2009
Genres: History, Europe, Great Britain, Military, World War I, Veterans
Pages: 285
Len's Summary: A look at the 1916 battle drawn from the writings of British participants.
One Night at a Bad Inn
One Night In A Bad Inn by Christy Leskovar ISBN: 1575101238
Published by Pictorial Histories Publishing Company on December 31st 2006
Genres: History, United States, State & Local
Pages: 594
Len's Summary: A true tale of war (the 91st “Wild West Division”), murder and mayhem set largely in the mining town of Butte, Montana in the 19 teens and 20s. Order from phpc@montana.com and look for a review in a future issue of Camaraderie.
Passchendaele: Canada’s Triumph and Tragedy on the Fields of Flanders
Passchendaele: Canada's Triumph and Tragedy on the Fields of Flanders by Norman Leach ISBN: 9781550503999
Published by Coteau Books on October 15th 2008
Genres: History, Canada, Post-Confederation (1867-), Military, Pictorial
Pages: 47
Len's Summary: Canadian historian Leach crafted this richly illustrated book for teenage readers, but it is equally suitable for grownups. Available from www.coteaubooks.com. Leach was historical advisor for Paul Gross’s war movie Passchendaele, released this year in Canada.
Admirals: The Naval Commanders who made Britain Great
Admirals: The Naval Commanders who made Britain Great by Andrew Lambert ISBN: 057123156X
Published by Faber & Faber on September 18th 2008
Pages: 492
Len's Summary: Embraces three centuries of naval history centering on the biographies of eleven British admirals including Robert Blake, George Anson, Samuel Hood, St. Vincent, John Fisher, Davie Beattie and Andrew Cunningham. Written by a premier British naval historian.
Batailles De Champagne
Batailles De Champagne by Gérard Lachaux ISBN: 235250063X
Published by Histoire & Collections on December 1st 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 116
Len's Summary: In French; the history of the costly and unsuccessful 1915 French Army attacks in the Champagne region. Available from www. Casematepublishers.com.
Pershing: A Biography
Pershing: A Biography by Jim Lacey ISBN: 9780230614451
Published by St. Martin's Press on June 9th 2009
Pages: 224
Len's Summary: One of several recent biographies of “Black Jack” Pershing.
The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: The Finest Feat of Arms
The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: The Finest Feat of Arms by Paul Kendall ISBN: 9780752453323
Published by History Press Limited on August 1st 2009
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 352
Len's Summary: Contains new material on this famous, but only partially successful action.
French Army, Volumes One & Two, 1914 August – December and 1915 to Victory
French Army, Volumes One & Two, 1914 August – December and 1915 to Victory by Andre' Jouineau ISBN: 2352501040
Published by Histoire & Collections on March 1st 2009
Pages: 68
Len's Summary: France mobilized 2.9 million men in 21 infantry corps during the summer of 1914. By 1918, 40% of all troops on the Western Front were artillerists. Written in French.
King of Airfighters: The Biography of Major “Mick” Mannock, VC, DSO MC
King of Airfighters: The Biography of Major "Mick" Mannock, VC, DSO MC by Ira Jones ISBN: 1932033998
Published by Casemate Publishers on July 1st 2009
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 256
Len's Summary: Some sources claim 73 “kills” for Mannock while he himself claimed only 51 aerial victories.
Fighting for Hope: African American Troops of the 93rd Division in World War I and Postwar America
Fighting for Hope: African American Troops of the 93rd Infantry Division in World War II and Postwar America by Robert F. Jefferson ISBN: 9780801888281
Published by Johns Hopkins University Press on October 24th 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War II, United States, 20th Century, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, African American Studies
Pages: 321
Len's Summary: The experience of the first complete all-Black division to go into combat. See also American Foreign Legion, Frank E. Roberts, Naval Institute, 2004.
Contesting the German Empire, 1871 – 1918
Contesting the German Empire, 1871 - 1918 by Matthew Jefferies ISBN: 1405129972
Published by Wiley-Blackwell on January 3rd 2008
Genres: Germany, History, General, Europe, Historiography, Modern, 19th Century
Pages: 242
Len's Summary: A bottom-up examination of the dynamics of politicization under Bismarck and Wilhelm II; “democracy in an undemocratic state.” Germany had universal male suffrage from 1871, but lacked parliamentary control over anything but the budget as government as ministers remained responsible only to the Kaiser who often became a spanner in the works.
Fort Lawton (Images of America)
Fort Lawton (Images of America) by Jack W. Jaunal ISBN: 9780738558110
Published by Arcadia Publishing on June 30th 2008
Genres: History, United States, State & Local, Military, Pictorial
Pages: 128
Len's Summary: The story of Fort Lawton, an Army infantry post outside Seattle during WWI.
Mobilizing Minerva: American Women in the First World War
Mobilizing Minerva: American Women in the First World War by Kimberly Jensen ISBN: 9780252074967
Published by University of Illinois Press on February 8th 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I, United States, 20th Century, Social Science, Women's Studies
Pages: 244
Len's Summary: WWI opened a new front in the debate over women’s place in society and the military.
A Lack of Offensive Spirit?: The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916
A Lack of Offensive Spirit?: The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916 by Alan MacDonald ISBN: 0955811902
Published by Iona Books on February 2008
Pages: 700
Len's Summary: Highly detailed examination of a failed attack on the first day of the BEF’s Somme offensive.
Immelmann: The Eagle of Lille
Immelmann: The Eagle of Lille by Frantz Immelmann ISBN: 9781932033984
Published by Casemate Publishers on July 1st 2009
Pages: 256
Len's Summary: Originally published in the 1930s, this is the story of the ace after whom the “Blue Max” is named written by his brother.
Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914-1915
Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914-1915 by Andrew Iarocci ISBN: 9780802098221
Published by University of Toronto Press on 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Canada
Pages: 362
Len's Summary: The training and early battles of the first Canadians to go to war.
Kitchener’s Men: The King’s Own Royal Lancasters On The Western Front, 1915-1918
Kitchener's Men: The King's Own Royal Lancasters On The Western Front, 1915-1918 by John Hutton ISBN: 1844157210
Published by Pen & Sword Books on June 1st 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 256
Len's Summary: Summarizes the raising, training and battle experience of the territorial and service battalions of a British regiment.
The Selected Papers of Sir Arthur Currie: Diaries, Letters, and Report to the Ministry, 1917-1933
The Selected Papers of Sir Arthur Currie: Diaries, Letters, and Report to the Ministry, 1917-1933 by Mark Humphries ISBN: 097834412X
Published by Military History on May 1st 2008
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, General, History, Canada, Military
Pages: 407
Len's Summary: The first complete collection of the papers of Canada’s top soldier of WWI. Currie was a land speculator and militiaman from British Columbia who rose to command the four divisions of the CEF. He is best remembered for the Canadian Corps successful 1917 attack at Vimy Ridge. Purchase directly from Wilfred Laurier University at www.wlu.ca or phone Andrew Thomson, at (519) 884-0710.
Our War: Ireland in the Great War
Our War: Ireland in the Great War by John Horne ISBN: 9781904890508
Published by Royal Irish Academy on October 24th 2008
Pages: 319
Len's Summary: A series of essays edited by Tomlinson Prize-winner John Horne on the experiences of Irishmen at home and in the trenches. Emblematic of renewed Irish interest in WWI, in the past a fraught subject in the Irish Republic. For a contemporary view of Ulster see: Unionists and Great War Commemoration in the North of Ireland, 1914-1919: People, Places and Politics, Catherine Switzer, 211 pages, Irish Academy Press, 2007, ISBN 0 7165 2872 X, £19 from Amazon.co.uk.
1918: A Very British Victory
1918: A Very British Victory by Peter Hart ISBN: 9780297846529
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on October 7th 2008
Genres: History, Europe, Great Britain, Military, World War I
Pages: 552
Len's Summary: A new look at the final German and British offensives of 1918, now available in the America from Orion for $29.95. Also available as an audio book.
The Oil Hunters: Exploration and Espionage in the Middle East
The Oil Hunters: Exploration and Espionage in the Middle East by Roger Howard ISBN: 9781847252326
Published by Bloomsbury Academic on July 15th 2008
Genres: History, Middle East, General
Pages: 224
Len's Summary: Anecdotal history of the search for oil in the Middle East from 1880 to 1940, including the 1908 discovery of oil in Persia and Mesopotamia which had a vast impact on WWI and the post-war world.
A Part of History: Aspects of the British Experience of the First World War
A Part of History: Aspects of the British Experience of the First World War by Michael Howard ISBN: 9780826498137
Published by Continuum on August 20th 2008
Genres: History, General, Europe, Great Britain, Historiography, Military, World War I
Pages: 229
Len's Summary: A scholarly examination of revisionism and traditionalism in studies of The Great War by British historians. // A series of brief essays written by British historians (Gary Sheffield, Julian Putkowski, Terry Castle, Malcom Brown among others) who engage in much critical comment on present and past historians and histories of The Great War. Labeled by Hew Strachan in a review for the Times Literary Supplement as a rehash of old, insular arguments.
Shots from the Front: The British Soldier 1914-18
Shots from the Front: The British Soldier 1914-18 by Richard Holmes ISBN: 9780007275489
Published by HarperPress on 2008
Pages: 240
Len's Summary: Picture essays covering the pre-war army, conscription, weapons and infantrymen, the war in Mesopotamia as well as on the Western Front drawing on period photographs and modern photos from Mike Sheil; written by a major British military historian.
Douglas Haig and the First World War
Douglas Haig and the First World War by J. P. Harris ISBN: 9780521158770
Published by Cambridge University Press on October 15th 2009
Genres: History, Military, General, Modern, 20th Century, World War I, Great Britain
Pages: 666
Len's Summary: Accuses Haig of first underestimating German strength in 1916 and then exaggerating German’s power in 1918, advocating a compromise peace. A new biography which has stoked another round in the never-ending controversy over the most pilloried military leader in British history. The author is a lecturer at Sandhurst.
The Greater Game: Sporting Icons Who Fell in the Great War
The Greater Game: Sporting Icons Who Fell in the Great War by Clive Harris, Julian Whippy ISBN: 1844157628
on July 1st 2008
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 199
Len's Summary: Reviews the lives of British sportsmen and athletes who fell in The Great War.
President’s Quarterly Update—April 2024
Dear Members and Friends,
I’m extremely pleased with the level of WW1HA’s activities, some of which may be unseen by you.
Our Journal, “World War One Illustrated,” is now published three times a year with an average length of 48 pages. Each issue is filled with high-quality articles covering a variety of topics, including the popular “My Kin in the Great War” series.
Our electronic newsletter, “Here and There with the WW1HA” is published monthly, with an assortment of Association events and articles covering WW1 topics.
Sal Compagno’s San Francisco Bay Area Chapter continues to hold monthly meetings via Zoom, while Mark Benbow’s Eastern Chapter is holding quarterly meetings.
As President, I am also hosting a quarterly “Fireside Chat” online. The last one emphasized WW1 poetry. The next one will emphasize WW1-era music.
If you’re already a member, I thank you for your membership and encourage you to take part in these activities. If you’re not a member, I ask you to join and participate in these activities. Participate in the events and consider submitting an article for the journal or newsletter.
Reach out to me with your comments: lavarennes@meuse-argonne.com.
Regards,
Randy Gaulke
