| Space Monkey | 23 Jan 2013 9:56 p.m. PST |
I've been watching my way through the original 'Upstairs Downstairs' series and I've reached season 4 that covers the years of WWI… and I'm realizing how woefully ignorant I am of that war… the general layout of it, notable personages and battles, famous anecdotes… anything. What book might make a good general overview of it that doesn't get too caught up in minutia but will bring me up on the story of it.
I'm not necessarily looking to play a game of it, just have a better understanding. Thanks for any suggestions. |
John Leahy  | 23 Jan 2013 10:10 p.m. PST |
The WWI Sourcebook is a nice book. Covers the war, personalities and weapons along with other info. Thanks, John |
| Stosstruppen | 23 Jan 2013 10:11 p.m. PST |
John Keegans single volume history is pretty good. I am no WW1 historian and I have heard there are some inaccuracies, but for me it was good. |
| Martin Rapier | 24 Jan 2013 3:14 a.m. PST |
Another recommendation for John Keegans 'The First World War'. Haythorthwites 'WW1 Sourcebook' is useful as a reference but is rather bitty. 'The First World War' by Hugh Strachan is also pretty good, rather slimmer than Keegans. The definitive work back in the day used to be CRMF Cruttwells 'The Great War 1914-18', but the more modern books are probably better to start with as they tend to take more of a world view than just the western front. |
| marcus arilius | 24 Jan 2013 4:55 a.m. PST |
link her books bring you the personnel element to the War. the 1915 The Death of Innocence . is a great book to start with. |
| Stosstruppen | 24 Jan 2013 7:40 a.m. PST |
Lyn's books are outstanding but are not really an overview. They are more ores collections of anecdotes about a potion of the war. They are chronological with a summary of what is generally happening on each chapter. They are great to read. |
Shagnasty  | 24 Jan 2013 8:25 a.m. PST |
A third recommendation for Keegan's book. |
| Mooseworks8 | 24 Jan 2013 8:33 a.m. PST |
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| laager50 | 24 Jan 2013 2:35 p.m. PST |
The Great War Explained by Philip Stevens. Available form Pen and Sword. |
| Space Monkey | 24 Jan 2013 3:50 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'll most likely start with the Keegan's book. MacDonald's books seem like they might make a good side dish… and the Sourcebook as a reference (I've seen mention that Keegan's book is short on maps).
Since I'm coming at this from the interest generated by Upstairs Downstairs I'm particularly interested in anything that discusses the war as impetus for social change in England and Europe… but also nice pictures of tanks and equipment. Thanks again. |
| HammerHead | 27 Jan 2013 10:17 a.m. PST |
Second vote for the Huw Stachan book over 300 pages |
's first experience with 1:4800 scale naval models.
