Myths and Legends of the First World War
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During the First World War, a rich crop of legends sprouted from the battlefields and grew with such ferocity that many still excite controversy today. This book is the first to examine the roots of those stories and reveal the truth. Some myths remain well-known. Did an entire battalion of the Norfolk Regiment vanish without trace at Gallipoli in 1915? Did thousands of Russian troops actually pass through England with snow on their boots? In 1914, an acute spy mania gripped the British public, who imagined that the country was brimming with German spies. Xenophobia, denunciations and attacks on dachshunds were rampant. Amazingly, there was even talk of enemy aircraft dropping poisoned sweets to kill British children. Myths such as the Angel of Mons and the Comrade in White were more innocent creations. With no radio or television, rumours of disaster were rife, and the apparition of mystical guardian spirits gave hope to the civilian population at home. Other stories, such as the so-called Crucified Canadian, and the existence of a gruesome German corpse rendering factory, were more sinister. Yet in an age of new and startling technologies such as poison gas, submarine warfare and the tank, such tales appeared believable. Using a wide range of contemporary sources, James Hayward traces the story of each myth and examines the likely explanation. Supported by a selection of rare photographs and illustrations, the result is a refreshingly different perspective on the common 'mud and trenches' view of the First World War, shedding fascinating new light on many curious and unexplained wartime tales. James Hayward is an editor and historian with a particular interest in twentieth-century military and art history. He has also written Myths and Legends of the Second World War (The History Press).
About the Author
James Hayward is an editor and historian with a particular interest in twentieth-century military and art history. He has also written Myths and Legends of the Second World War (The History Press).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Truth, as the saying goes, is the first casualty of war, and in this book James Hayward demonstrates just how true this was during the First World War. He examines many of the falsehoods that arose during the way, from rumors of nonexistent spies to such fabled tales as the 'Angel of Mons' and the Russians in England. Addressing each of these, he details the impact of the particular legend and traces its probably origin, an effort that requires equal parts detective work and reasoned speculation.
Yet for all of his admirable work in penetrating through the mythos of the war, Hayward's book suffers from some notable flaws. His text suffers from errors borne of sloppiness; he makes factual mistakes when establishing the context, and in one instance he cites a novel as if it were a memoir instead of a work of fiction. The most problematic part of his book, however, is his chapter of the 'legend' of the incompetent British command on the Western Front. While the idea of the 'lions led by donkeys' has faced challenges recently from several quarters, Hayward treats it as if it were simply another myth. By lumping it in with the other falsehoods he addresses, he distorts the process of historiographical debate underway, ignoring the evidence that led many historians to their views on the incompetent leadership of the British generals. A different approach towards the topic would have served the author better in this respect.
For the most part, Hayward's book is a rewarding read. It offers an entertainingly written examination of the propaganda and rumors that grew out of the First World War. People who are seeking an introduction to the topic could do worse than to turn to its pages, though a certain amount of skepticism is warranted in some parts.
Yet for all of his admirable work in penetrating through the mythos of the war, Hayward's book suffers from some notable flaws. His text suffers from errors borne of sloppiness; he makes factual mistakes when establishing the context, and in one instance he cites a novel as if it were a memoir instead of a work of fiction. The most problematic part of his book, however, is his chapter of the 'legend' of the incompetent British command on the Western Front. While the idea of the 'lions led by donkeys' has faced challenges recently from several quarters, Hayward treats it as if it were simply another myth. By lumping it in with the other falsehoods he addresses, he distorts the process of historiographical debate underway, ignoring the evidence that led many historians to their views on the incompetent leadership of the British generals. A different approach towards the topic would have served the author better in this respect.
For the most part, Hayward's book is a rewarding read. It offers an entertainingly written examination of the propaganda and rumors that grew out of the First World War. People who are seeking an introduction to the topic could do worse than to turn to its pages, though a certain amount of skepticism is warranted in some parts.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
James Hayward has done the casual World War One reader a service with this book. If nothing else, his cool appraisal of some of the more elaboate propaganda ploys of the period is a salutary lesson in the power of the popular press to pervert and transmogrify the facts.
With some rare illustrations, this book is a very useful addition to any library of the Great War - interestingly, his book deals in detail with the 'Crucified Canadian', the subject of a recent Channel 4 documentary which made great play of the fact that it had 'identified' the victim after nearly ninety years. Hayward did it in this book. His text is more realistic and considered than the excited prose of Channel 4. Unlike the TV people, he took care to establish that such rumours were not new in the context of the Western Front.
Throw in Russian with snow on their boots, the 'Hidden Hand' and a few other fanciful tales and one has an interesting and often amusing read.
Sutton Publishing have a fine reputation as a serious military publisher. 'Myths and Legends' certainly enhances it.
With some rare illustrations, this book is a very useful addition to any library of the Great War - interestingly, his book deals in detail with the 'Crucified Canadian', the subject of a recent Channel 4 documentary which made great play of the fact that it had 'identified' the victim after nearly ninety years. Hayward did it in this book. His text is more realistic and considered than the excited prose of Channel 4. Unlike the TV people, he took care to establish that such rumours were not new in the context of the Western Front.
Throw in Russian with snow on their boots, the 'Hidden Hand' and a few other fanciful tales and one has an interesting and often amusing read.
Sutton Publishing have a fine reputation as a serious military publisher. 'Myths and Legends' certainly enhances it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Good detective work marred by distorted approach
28 July 2006
Format:Hardcover
Truth, as the saying goes, is the first casualty of war, and in this book James Hayward demonstrates just how true this was during the First World War. He examines many of the falsehoods that arose during the way, from rumors of nonexistent spies to such fabled tales as the "Angel of Mons" and the Russians in England. Addressing each of these, he details the impact of the particular legend and traces its probably origin, an effort that requires equal parts detective work and reasoned speculation.
Yet for all of his admirable work in penetrating through the mythos of the war, Hayward's book suffers from some notable flaws. His text suffers from errors borne of sloppiness; he makes factual mistakes when establishing the context, and in one instance he cites a novel as if it were a memoir instead of a work of fiction. The most problematic part of his book, however, is his chapter of the "legend" of the incompetent British command on the Western Front. While the idea of the "lions led by donkeys" has faced increasing challenges recently from several quarters, Hayward treats it as if it were simply another myth. By lumping it in with the other falsehoods he addresses, he distorts the process of historiographical debate underway, ignoring the evidence that led many historians to their views on the incompetent leadership of the British generals. A different approach towards the topic would have served the author better in this respect.
For the most part, Hayward's book is a rewarding read. It offers an entertainingly written examination of the propaganda and rumors that grew out of the First World War. People who are seeking an introduction to the topic could do worse than to turn to its pages, though a certain amount of skepticism is warranted in some parts.
Yet for all of his admirable work in penetrating through the mythos of the war, Hayward's book suffers from some notable flaws. His text suffers from errors borne of sloppiness; he makes factual mistakes when establishing the context, and in one instance he cites a novel as if it were a memoir instead of a work of fiction. The most problematic part of his book, however, is his chapter of the "legend" of the incompetent British command on the Western Front. While the idea of the "lions led by donkeys" has faced increasing challenges recently from several quarters, Hayward treats it as if it were simply another myth. By lumping it in with the other falsehoods he addresses, he distorts the process of historiographical debate underway, ignoring the evidence that led many historians to their views on the incompetent leadership of the British generals. A different approach towards the topic would have served the author better in this respect.
For the most part, Hayward's book is a rewarding read. It offers an entertainingly written examination of the propaganda and rumors that grew out of the First World War. People who are seeking an introduction to the topic could do worse than to turn to its pages, though a certain amount of skepticism is warranted in some parts.
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