Peter Barton's landmark volume presents over 50 original panoramas of the battlegrounds of the Somme. They show what no other photographs can: the view from the trench parapet, and a great deal more. This revised edition also includes stunning new details of the use and misuse of an extraordinary network of 'Russian Saps' installed during the two months prior to battle. These tunnels beneath no man's land often brought the British - unseen - to within 10 metres of the German trenches, yet over-secrecy and poor communication led to most being left unexploited. In the sectors where they were employed, success was dramatic. And a host of previously unpublished personal testimony, and a fresh look at several unseen and forgotten aspects of the battle such as the Royal Engineers' Push Pipes, Bored Mines and huge Livens Flame Projectors. Here is the Somme as you have never seen it before. Praise for "The Battlefields of the First World War": 'An extraordinary set of panoramic photographs that reveal the battlefields of the Western Front as never before' - "The Times." 'Astonishing ...made my heart sigh' - "Independent." 'Without doubt the best publication on the Great War in many years ...a superb piece of work' - "Western Front Association. "
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A unique and powerful book.
-- Publishing News
Previously unseen panoramas...unpublished personal testimony and
stunning mapping throughout...a vision of the Somme not seen before. -- Military Illustrated --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
-- Publishing News
Previously unseen panoramas...unpublished personal testimony and
stunning mapping throughout...a vision of the Somme not seen before. -- Military Illustrated --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Peter Barton is a historian and film-maker. He authored the acclaimed The Battlefields of the First World War after researching the Imperial War Museum panorama archive for eight years. He continues to lead an ongoing project to trace, interpret and publish surviving battlefield panoramas - widely regarded as the 'missing link' for a full understanding of the First World War - from sources around the world.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By T. Hardy
Format:Hardcover
Not only does this book contain period photographic panoramas of the battlefields with 'present day' views (which are superbly done) it also gives the reader a 'blow by blow' account of the Somme battle by using numerous eyewitness reports and detailed photographs, beautifully detailed maps and illustrations. This is a gem of a book and out of all the books I've read on the subject ( too many to mention!) this is unbeaten for generating the atmosphere of the battle, complete with all its horrific detail. If you are planning to visit the battlefield, this book will prove to be a 'must have' companion. Simply one of the best books available on the subject. Buy it and I can guaratee you won't be disappointed.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By CHS
Format:Hardcover
I was given this book as a gift and subsequently bought another copy for my mum as a gift. It is incredibly detailed and thoroughly expanded my knowledge of this very sad and terrible time in history. Particularly poignant were the examples of letters and other writings by people actually involved in the battle, including some that never made it home. It bought the history to life and made it human. I would thoroughly recommend this book.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I started to research the battles of The Somme during the latter part of the 1960s having watched the superb BBC Series The Great War. Over the years, I have read considerable material and books, many of them rather good, others perhaps not reaching the standard as one would expect of a subject of this nature.
I managed to visit the area during the spring of 1984 and was impressed by what I saw. Indeed the panoramic photos in this book, on pages 138-138, of Mash Valley brought back quite a few memories. And one of the great things about this marvellous book, are the numerous panoramic photgraphs of "Then and Now" showing the reader of what the area was once like, a devastated landscape of horrific images, smashed villages, dead bodies etc, and what the landscape looks like today.
Peter Barton tells the story of a great battle fought during the summer and autumn of 1916, a battle which did not end the war then, but it may have contributed to the eventual defeat of the German Army in 1918 because of the terrible casualties all armies sustained during that conflict within a "War To End All Wars". Supplemented by numerous descriptions left behind by many of the survivors who tell their story of their experiences, and their struggle to survive amidst the horrors of the trenches. It is their fitting tribute to the memory of the many comrades and fellow soldiers who were lost.
There are many good photographs included in this volume, many of whom I have not seen before and I have no doubt that these photos will also leave an impression on many readers. A case in point is the panoramic image of the devastated Guillemont battlefield (pages 208-209) showing the awful landscape as it was, and the now peaceful scene dominated by Guillemont Road Cemetery as it looks today.... Read more ›
I managed to visit the area during the spring of 1984 and was impressed by what I saw. Indeed the panoramic photos in this book, on pages 138-138, of Mash Valley brought back quite a few memories. And one of the great things about this marvellous book, are the numerous panoramic photgraphs of "Then and Now" showing the reader of what the area was once like, a devastated landscape of horrific images, smashed villages, dead bodies etc, and what the landscape looks like today.
Peter Barton tells the story of a great battle fought during the summer and autumn of 1916, a battle which did not end the war then, but it may have contributed to the eventual defeat of the German Army in 1918 because of the terrible casualties all armies sustained during that conflict within a "War To End All Wars". Supplemented by numerous descriptions left behind by many of the survivors who tell their story of their experiences, and their struggle to survive amidst the horrors of the trenches. It is their fitting tribute to the memory of the many comrades and fellow soldiers who were lost.
There are many good photographs included in this volume, many of whom I have not seen before and I have no doubt that these photos will also leave an impression on many readers. A case in point is the panoramic image of the devastated Guillemont battlefield (pages 208-209) showing the awful landscape as it was, and the now peaceful scene dominated by Guillemont Road Cemetery as it looks today.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bookworm
Format:Hardcover
This book, with it's companions, reveal that what it really looked like across no-man's land was not at all as I had imagined it to be. Absolutely fascinating books. Some of the drawings felt as though they were aimed at a school audience, but that is a minor gripe from an old man! The reminiscences of soldiers are poignant. The maps make descriptions much more clear. Doubtless one could make minor complaints, but it was another of the books I couldn't put down. And considerably cheaper than a trip to France! Invaluable.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Warmonger
Format:Hardcover
I live in Belgium and I visited the Somme with this book this morning with my sons. The panoramas are awesome. The accounts of each stage of the fighting are well written and extremely informative. It brought our visit to life! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of visiting the Somme.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By T. Austen
Format:Hardcover
Had seen this book a while ago but couldnt bring myself to spent the RRP. Randomly searched the ISDN one day and found the price reduced on Amazon. Such an informative book with stories/letters home/diary quotes from both sides involved in the 'Great War'. Have travelled to many different places in the Somme region and wished I had had this with me at the time. Some of the panoramic pictures of then + now really bring home how bad it wouldve been for those fighting at the time and the stories make you realise what a pointless war it was at times.
A gripping read, sometimes quite upsetting but still find it hard to put it down/stop reading- thoroughly recommend this to anyone with even the slightest interest in WW1. Top notch.
A gripping read, sometimes quite upsetting but still find it hard to put it down/stop reading- thoroughly recommend this to anyone with even the slightest interest in WW1. Top notch.
By hans
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very well documented. A very good book about one of the darkest periods in human existance. The maps are very clear and the panorama pictures give a very clear view on the scene. The personal letters give a view inside the life and death in the trenches.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Somme
Peter Barton gives an amazing insight with outstanding accuracy into the terrible tragic events during this time. A remarkable book.
Published 5 months ago by M P Lennon
5.0 out of 5 stars
good read
A most interesting book a must read if you have an interest in WW1 I would recommend it for the information and the pictures are excellent,
Published 7 months ago by sammy s
4.0 out of 5 stars
Before & After
Bought as a gift for my husband, this has been hard to put down book about this terrible but yet fascinating event in history. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Woolly witness
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Great War from a different perspective
This book is a must for all armchair historians of the Great War. Some simply stunning photographs supported by the text of a campaign written about on countless occassions but... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Digger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
This is a well researched and written book, full of quality maps and photographs. I am off to to the Somme this summer and I am finding the 'then and now' panoramas very... Read more
Published on 20 April 2011 by R. MCGINLEY
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as it could have been
This is a good book, and has many excellent aspects. But it does, in comparison to its companion book about the Ypres salient, seem a little lacklustre and perhaps hastily put... Read more
Published on 22 May 2008 by WeatherNerd
3.0 out of 5 stars
CD-ROMs not Mac compatible
Excellent book with clear maps and fascinating photograph, but be aware that the CD-ROMS are not compatible with Mac computers.
Published on 12 May 2008 by drbigalt
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