"Best books on 1914 Autumn Campaign??" Topic

Team,

Interested in the early, initial phase of WWI on the Western Front in Belgium, Northern and Eastern France. The initial German push – the "home before the leaves fall" period, the war of manouver.

What are your recommendations on the best books and authors for this period? I have "The Guns of August" and am about to make a start on it but wondering what level of detail on the manouvers and battles is available in English?

"Home Before the Leaves Fall: A New History of the German Invasion of 1914" – Ian Senior

"Challenge of Battle: The Real Story of the British Army in 1914" – Adrian Gilbert

"Mons: The Retreat to Victory" – John Terraine

"Mons 1914" – Jack Horsfall & Nigel Cave

What team are you referring to?

I thought that Max Hastings Catastrophe was pretty good.

If you can get them Purnell's History of the First World War magazines. The few that I have are excellent reads.

The Advance from Mons 1914: The Experiences of a German Infantry Officer by Walter Bloem if you want to get a view from the other side.

Thanks, great list to get started with. But they mainly look to be covering the BEF sector? Is there anything out there in English that covers the campaign to the east of the BEF sector where the French and Germans fought huge actions all the way to the frontier? The Battle of the Frontiers for instance?

And the "team" I'm referring to is of course the hive mind of TMP, this wonderful collection of experienced military historians, the collective wisdom of all of us :)

I struggled to find much decent stuff on the French in 1914. Paths of Glory covers it at a high level (certainly enough to design some biggish scenarios) and some of the Osprey campaign histories – the Battle of the Marne is interesting with scope for manouvre etc. The battle of the frontiers is a hideous slaughter.

All these battles are huge though, multiple divisions, so ideally done with something grand tactical or operational.

Edward Spears – Liaison 1914
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Holger H. Herwig – The Marne, 1914
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Dennis Showalter – The German failure in Belgium, August 1914
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Spears was liason between French (commander in chief British Expoeditionary Force and Lanrezac (Commander French Fifth Army). His book – written in 1921 – gives a great insight in the feelings between the two "allies".

There are two very important books on the Battle of the Frontiers. One is:

"The Battle of the Frontiers: Ardennes 1914" by Terence Zuber

Even better, and the one to go for if you can't get both, is:

"Lost Opportunity: The Battle of the Ardennes, 22 August 1914" by Simon House. Superbly written and much more balanced that Zuber's book. Plus there are excellent battle maps.

Robert

"Campaign of the Marne 1914" by Tyng

"The Marne 1914" by H.H. Herwig

Despite its age I still think Tyng's book is the best book ever on the subject. It might be hard to find though.

Tyng's book is excellent. Much more accurate than Tuchman's book but she did a great job of capturing the tension associated with those early weeks in the war.

Robert

"Thanks, great list to get started with. But they mainly look to be covering the BEF sector?"

This one covers all the French and British counter moves, including the French counter attack at the Marne river. It has all the relevant maps. It is the most detailed description of troop movements down to the battalion level I have read.

"Home Before the Leaves Fall: A New History of the German Invasion of 1914" – Ian Senior

Don't overlook books from Osprey.

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Another book by Ian Senior. Haven't read this one.

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Wonderful, thank you, the collective wisdom and experience of TMP never ceases to amaze me. Found most of them on-line and have got some orders underway. Many Thanks.

1914 : The Days of Hope – Lyn MacDonald

She is very good covering the BEF through the entire war, but you will not find her focused upon the French. Information in passing, but really about British operations.

I believe she wrote 7 or 8 books. I have read most of them, but not all.

Porthos et al,

I was able to get a mint, mylar covered copy of "Liaison" by Spears for a SONG and I've been reading a chapter outside in the AM every morning since its arrival.

In short, even though I am only a few chapters in, as of NOW, it is one of the best books I've ever read.

That man could WRITE.

A Belated Holiday Gift for you all…

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