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Max Arthur's compilation of First World War memories, Forgotten Voices of the Great War, offers a reminder of the scale of human experience within the 1914-18 conflict. Arthur, a military historian best known for his history of the RAF and his account of the Falklands campaign in 1982, has assembled hundreds of excerpts from the sound archives of the Imperial War Museum. Officers, rank-and-file troops, Australians, Americans, war widows, women in the munitions factories, and German soldiers too, all left oral testimony of their experiences, and these interviews provide the basis of the book. Arthur has put them in chronological and campaign order, and provided a general commentary, but beyond that, has left the rich and moving record to speak for itself.
The sheer humdrum ordinariness of modern warfare--the mud and rain, the relentless loss of life and inevitability of death, the pointless routine of attrition--come over in the matter-of-fact recollections of so many. But so too does the humanity and morality of the ordinary soldier--a factor that rather belies the recent emphasis amongst some historians on how soldiers loved to kill. Arthur might have intruded more. No biographical information is given about the owners of these "voices", nor does he say when, where and how this oral testimony was gathered.
These quibbles aside this is a worthwhile read and should encourage people not only to observe a minute's silence on Remembrance Day, but also to spend a few hours in the Imperial War Museum itself. --Miles Taylor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'This extraordinary book is crammed with details, conjuring up the atmosphere of war as vividly as the frequent descriptions of appalling violence', Daily Telegraph .'The stories of these now long-dead vets simply jump off the page', FHM .'The words of the soldiers are as fresh as if they were written yesterday...extraordinary', Deborah Moggach, Mail on Sunday .'Everyone who loves oral history will enjoy the often harrowing accounts contained in this book', History Today .'A compelling account of a world not to be forgotten', Despatches
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a remarkable work. Max Arthur has distilled hundreds of hours of interviews into small pieces which he then assembles in to a patchwork gradually forming a picture of the Great War. No knowledge of the details of the war are needed; this is a view from ordinary people from all sides, including women of the Land Army and medical staff.
The voices are of their time which adds to the sense of authority. These men are confused, weighed down, horrified, but they keep their feelings very much to themselves, if indeed they actually allow themselves the luxury of feeling. It describes a world of chaos, mud and endless discomfort, poor sleep, infection and yet this becomes their home, somehow preferable to being back in England. Their are tales of heroism, but none of the voices see themselves as heroes.
This book is in the great tradition of oral history, and has now been written so future generations can gain a glimpse through the words of those who were there.
The voices are of their time which adds to the sense of authority. These men are confused, weighed down, horrified, but they keep their feelings very much to themselves, if indeed they actually allow themselves the luxury of feeling. It describes a world of chaos, mud and endless discomfort, poor sleep, infection and yet this becomes their home, somehow preferable to being back in England. Their are tales of heroism, but none of the voices see themselves as heroes.
This book is in the great tradition of oral history, and has now been written so future generations can gain a glimpse through the words of those who were there.
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Almost the last white feather I recieved": thus one of the contributers remembers two women on a bus; one of whom gave him a white feather. He had returned from the front and was sat in civies. "For a brave soldier" said the woman who handed him the feather. Cleaning his pipe with it he handed the feather back. Those who took part in this conflict came home, tongue-tied; wanting to get back to the real reality with their mates at the front. They had no words for the folks back home. The folks back home were being served with patriotic post cards and the exploits of the cross-eyed pin-up Kitchener. So many mistakes are made by the ignorant and unwitting. This book seeks to help us to understand the mistakes made by all in the propogation and sustation of this dreadful conflict. If you you are just beginning to research this subject 'The GreatWar'. This is where you you must begin your studies.
72 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've read many, many books on the First World War. I can't remember ever reading one that moved me so much though. The voices of those who fought really comes through in this book.
This book will make you appreciate the thoughts and feelings of those who fought in World War One.
The feelings of those forced to participate in firing squads for example,is something few books have dealt with so poignantly. One of the voices tells of his disgust at witnessing a friend shot as a deserter when he had volunteered for action in the first place and had fought bravely throughout. One moment of fear and madness was enough to bring a court martial and death sentence.
The voice continues to tell how the victim's parents were never told the truth, and never got to know that an English bullet had ended their son's life. In a sick ironic twist, the devastated father's response was to join up himself as he felt he had to avenge his son's death at the hands of the Germans.
There are countless examples like this in the book-tragic episodes that would otherwise have gone to the grave with the few soldiers aware of them.
I can't imagine anyone not being able to gain some insight or degree of empathy from reading this book.
This book will make you appreciate the thoughts and feelings of those who fought in World War One.
The feelings of those forced to participate in firing squads for example,is something few books have dealt with so poignantly. One of the voices tells of his disgust at witnessing a friend shot as a deserter when he had volunteered for action in the first place and had fought bravely throughout. One moment of fear and madness was enough to bring a court martial and death sentence.
The voice continues to tell how the victim's parents were never told the truth, and never got to know that an English bullet had ended their son's life. In a sick ironic twist, the devastated father's response was to join up himself as he felt he had to avenge his son's death at the hands of the Germans.
There are countless examples like this in the book-tragic episodes that would otherwise have gone to the grave with the few soldiers aware of them.
I can't imagine anyone not being able to gain some insight or degree of empathy from reading this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Forgotten Voices
Obviously an excellent collection, and range, of first-hand receollections. Officers, other ranks, the semi-famous and very obscure, civilians including women, they are all here. Read more
Published 6 months ago by james seeley
A perspective that should not be unheard nor forgotten.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I think it accomplished everything which it had aimed to do - namely to give the people who lived and died through the war a voice. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Peacemoon
voices of the great war.
Yet another very good book in the FORGOTTEN VOICES series.
A fascinating read,it is compiled using the personal recollections of the people who were involved in this period of... Read more
A fascinating read,it is compiled using the personal recollections of the people who were involved in this period of... Read more
Published 12 months ago by road nomad
first world war
In 1972 the Imperial War Museum started the task of interviewing veterans of the First World War for its sound archive. Read more
Published 16 months ago by G. I. Forbes
Forgotten Voices of great men
I was never much interested in The Great War. World War II was more 'glamorous' for me... This book changed my perception of a War that was entrenched in trenches! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Richard Rogers
An excellent record, from those who were actually there
This book is part of a series which also includes the Forgotten Voices of the Holocaust, Forgotten Voices of the Blitz, and a couple of others. Read more
Published 19 months ago by miss_spookiness
The kiss of life
Growing up in the land of 1960's plastic Airfix packets of little soldiers spilling from boxes formed the basis of a long term endearment with history. Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
Very moving book
A moving collection of extracts from taped interviews with WWI veterans recorded by the Imperial War Museum since 1972. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by John Hopper
Just read it!
Everyone should read this book.....it will help you get over any feelings of "doom and gloom".
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Graeme Brown
Very moving to 'hear' voices from the past
I was very moved by the reminiscences in this book, and particularly liked hearing from other nationalities involved (i.e. not just the British troops). Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Linda Lee
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