- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Headline; New Ed edition (1 May 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755313038
- ISBN-13: 978-0755313037
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 294,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
'Engaging, well-written and balanced study' -- The Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The Times
'Engaging, well-written and balanced study'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read many books on the First World War and have awaited this book with eager anticipation following the Channel 4 TV programme on the same subject. I was certainly not disappointed by this work as it packed so much information into its pages.
Richard van Emden has unearthed some incredible research on the boys that joined up, trained, fought and sadly died for our country in the First World War. I find it extraordinary that no one had ever thought to write about such a poignant subject. This book covers the story with great detail, highlighting some amazing cameos. Most incredible was the story of 15 year old Jack Pouchot who won the DCM for bravery. Imagine a 15 year old doing that today!
Another gem unearthed was that of an officer of the Accrington Pals commissioned at the tender age of 15 years old. To be in command of men at that age defies description, yet he still led his men over the top on 1st July 1916, the infamous first day of the Somme to be met by withering German resistance. And all at just 16 years old! One can only feel immense pride intermingled with sadness at such actions.
The sheer number of underage soldiers who fought in the British Army is staggering and van Emden's work cannot be praised too highly for shedding new light on this neglected sphere of the conflict. I still find it incredible that sitting here in the 21st century, writing this review on my PC, that it was only a few years ago that van Emden interviewed many of the veterans whose testimonies are contained within this book. The trenches, mud, machine guns and artillery seem a lifetime away, certainly from a different era, but credit must go to the author for his dedication in tracking down these men to capture their stories for the next generation.
A wonderful, thought-provoking and highly poignant book, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is not a book I would normally buy, however, after seeing, by chance, the cover featuring three terribly young boy going out to war I thought I would try to read something a little different. This book has revealed a world of which I had little idea, but the stories of these boys, as young as thirteen, are both gripping and heart rending.
There are fascinating picture sections too - there is a reproduction of a joining up form of a boy of fifteen, who became an officer and was later killed. His handwriting is so childlike, yet this boy was an acting Captain at sixteen! Other pictures show boys stripped to the waist who would be refused entry to the boy scouts today, never mind the army - and all these boys had been fighting in France.
I am impressed that the author has found and interviewed survivors who are aged between 105 and 108 years old - what a fascinating story they have to tell. This has to be the last oral testimony from that devastating war.
This is a superb book! What more can I say?
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Boy Soldiers of the Great War is how history ought to be written. It's a riveting, deeply moving account of the tens of thousands of boys and young men who not only served their country, but, as van Emden shows, quite probably saved it.
van Emden has done his homework and it shows on every page. While other oral histories simply collect and present first-person accounts, van Emden has discovered many previously untold stories, then puts them in social, political, personal and historical context.
Once started, the book won't be put down. Once finished, it won't be forgotten.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Boy Soldiers of the Great War
This is a well-written book which, through the 'words' of the soldiers who were not yet 19, but who fought in the trenches, tells the story of the Great War. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2009 by Mrs. L. Knock
MY TEARS JUST STARTED TO FLOW
I purchased this book in attempt to understand how my own Grandfather could have been accepted into the Army so young. I just could not put this book down. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by Lynne Storry
Another Van Emden Classic
I bought this because my great uncle, 26570 Pte. Messach Rowlands, enlisted underage in 1915, and six weeks later, he was shot near Neuve Chapelle. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by WeatherNerd
Engrossing and Disturbing
Having discovered another Richard van Emden book whilst browsing for a present, I knew his sure, authorative, well-researched touch when transcribing the memories of my... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2006
A Wonderful tribute a must read.
I have to say from the start that The Great War is something of a passion of mine and have therefore read many different books on the subject. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2006 by Mythbuster
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