Essential Books on the First World War

A Listmania! list by rklair
 
1914 : The Days of Hope
1.  1914 : The Days of Hope by Lyn Macdonald
The list author says:
  "Most people's idea of WW1 is the trenches and going over the top- '1914' tells of a very different type of fighting - hand to hand combat, cavalry charges. You don't know the war until you know 1914."
Used & New from: £0.01
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Undertones of War (Penguin Modern Classics)
2.  Undertones of War (Penguin Modern Classics) by Edmund Blunden
The list author says:
  "One of the gentlest, most unassuming of the Soldier poets to have survived, Blunden's memoir is at once moving and unsentimental. Despite a poetic turn of phrase, a down to earth, accesible account."
£7.69   Used & New from: £4.00
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Goodbye to All That (Essential Penguin)
3.  Goodbye to All That (Essential Penguin) by Robert Graves
The list author says:
  "In contrast with 'Undertones of War', this book rings with the aggressive wit of Graves and is littered with dubious anecdotes. The tragedies within stand out stark against this wit - a true classic."
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4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Veterans: The Last Survivors of the Great War
4.  Veterans: The Last Survivors of the Great War by Richard Van Emden
The list author says:
  "Van Emden deftly introduces what must be among the last few oral histories of the Great War, and wisely lets the veterans speak for themselves. The result is moving and humbling."
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5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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World War One Source Book
5.  World War One Source Book by Philip Haythornthwaite
The list author says:
  "The essential single-volume reference work on the subject, packed with facts and valuable biographies of key players."
Used & New from: £10.09
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Christmas Truce: The Western Front December 1914 (Pan Grand Strategy Series)
6.  Christmas Truce: The Western Front December 1914 (Pan Grand Strategy Series) by Shirley Seaton
The list author says:
  "The true story of the 1914 Christmas truce and much more besides. Gives a wider picture of soldiers implementing a system of cooperation with the enemy wherever practical to lessen the hardships."
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4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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The First Day on the Somme (Penguin Classic Military History)
7.  The First Day on the Somme (Penguin Classic Military History) by Martin Middlebrook
The list author says:
  "Paved the way for a new breed of military histories made compelling by the veterans' own accounts.  30+ years after original publication this still feels fresh. An absolute must."
Used & New from: £2.14
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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The Great War and Modern Memory
8.  The Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussell
The list author says:
  "A vital companion for any reader of WW1 literature; you may find much with which to argue in Fussell's assertions but certainly he will bring to your attention much that might else have been missed."
£9.75   Used & New from: £6.96
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Author

rklair
Qualifications: 1914-18 war obsessive
Last updated: 14/04/2002
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