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Message
OT suggestions for a good book that overviews World War I
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:04 pm
So I just watched the World Wars on History Channel and I really enjoyed it. That said the WWII part was fine because I knew most of what happened geopolitically and on the battlefield so the focus on the men involved was fine but I realized how little I know about World War One. I particularly am interested in the Geopolitical situations that built up the war, what happened during, and how it ended. Basically I kind of like the big picture consequences for a lack of better words. That said I also wanna learn more about what happened during the war.
So OT historians, what's a good book that explains the geopolitical build up and fall out as well as the actual war? Maybe one that also does a basic overview of what happened during the war. Not as basic as the World Wars special was, they basically glossed over major battles like the Argonne, Gallipoli, and etc but hopefully one that isn't 1500 pages. I like to think I am a complex individual but sometimes I find myself fatigued when I am reading something as detailed as Stephen Ambrose listing every outfit involved, the exact number of artillery pieces, etc.
I know that is obnoxiously particular so really your best guess would be greatly appreciated!
Thus far I have used goodreads to find World War One: A Short History and World War One: History In An Hour but I get the idea that it may not fully hit all I wanna know.
So OT historians, what's a good book that explains the geopolitical build up and fall out as well as the actual war? Maybe one that also does a basic overview of what happened during the war. Not as basic as the World Wars special was, they basically glossed over major battles like the Argonne, Gallipoli, and etc but hopefully one that isn't 1500 pages. I like to think I am a complex individual but sometimes I find myself fatigued when I am reading something as detailed as Stephen Ambrose listing every outfit involved, the exact number of artillery pieces, etc.
I know that is obnoxiously particular so really your best guess would be greatly appreciated!
Thus far I have used goodreads to find World War One: A Short History and World War One: History In An Hour but I get the idea that it may not fully hit all I wanna know.
11
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:06 pm to Damn Good Dawg
The Guns of August.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:06 pm to Damn Good Dawg
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:07 pm to Damn Good Dawg
Check out the podcast Hardcore History. He's doing World War I right now.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:13 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
boom roasted
May need to do that
quote:
Teufelhunden
Isn't that only the first year of the war?
quote:
DirtyMikeandtheBoys
I actually have been wiki'ing the hell out of it and frankly it's just not doing it for me. I'd like to read an overview TBH. A lot of the books I see that look good are only 150 pages and I am not sure that does it justice or not.
This one is the one I am referring to
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:18 pm to Teufelhunden
quote:
Teufelhunden
I've looked more into it and I may get The Guns of August. It may not cover the whole war but the premise covers a good portion of what I want to read.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:21 pm to Damn Good Dawg
"The First World War" by John Keegan.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:23 pm to Damn Good Dawg
Well if you want to gain at least a passing grasp of what let to the war, you've got to at least go back to the late 19th century and start off reading about the Franco-Prussian War as well as the decline of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. I'd suggest also reading up on the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of Germany as a major economic power. Along with this I'd study the rise of the socialist/progressive movement and the declining state of the Russian Empire and political unrest affecting the Austrians as well.
Once you've done that you will have a decent foundation of knowledge to understand what led to WWI. As for books, if your wanting one book that covers the whole war I'd Suggest "The First World War - A Complete History" by Martin Gilbert or "The First World War" by by John Keegan.
Once you've done that you will have a decent foundation of knowledge to understand what led to WWI. As for books, if your wanting one book that covers the whole war I'd Suggest "The First World War - A Complete History" by Martin Gilbert or "The First World War" by by John Keegan.
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:24 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:24 pm to Damn Good Dawg
All Quiet on the Western Front
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:25 pm to Damn Good Dawg
You definitely want to read The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman, as mentioned already. I've also started reading The First World War by John Keegan, which is way more in-depth covers the entire conflict (from what I understand). Of what I've read so far, Keegan goes into way more detail about the Austrians, their motivations, strategy, and diplomatic dealings.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:28 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Awesome novel. There was a really good movie made back in the 70's as well..
I've got it on VHS but need to get it on DVD. If you want to go really old school there is a version from the 30's as well...
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:28 pm to Dead Mike
Thanks guys! Darth, that sounds pretty fascinating and I may have to do that. That said I am young and naive and kinda wanna hop right into the fray.
As for what everyone has suggested, The Guns of August and the First World War by John Keegan have piqued my interest. Seems both are perfect for what I want. I am contemplating if I wanna read the First World War or read The Guns of August and then the First World War.
I'm not a huge reader until I wanna binge read every now and then so I don't wanna burn myself out reading between work but this is something I have always wanted to know more about so I may just read both. Just hope I can push through my ADD tendencies.
As for what everyone has suggested, The Guns of August and the First World War by John Keegan have piqued my interest. Seems both are perfect for what I want. I am contemplating if I wanna read the First World War or read The Guns of August and then the First World War.
I'm not a huge reader until I wanna binge read every now and then so I don't wanna burn myself out reading between work but this is something I have always wanted to know more about so I may just read both. Just hope I can push through my ADD tendencies.
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:29 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:29 pm to Damn Good Dawg
I just put the same request in Darth's thread this morning.
Will be waiting patiently.
ETA: Just caught up on the replies
Will be waiting patiently.
ETA: Just caught up on the replies
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:33 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:32 pm to Swoopin
quote:
I just put the same request in Darth's thread this morning.
Will be waiting patiently.
Did I not reply to you? I thought I did.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:33 pm to Darth_Vader
Yeah sorry, I was just responding to OP.
But I did ask you about Guns of August and you went silent
But I did ask you about Guns of August and you went silent
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:33 pm to Swoopin
Darth is one of my go to dudes on here for good military history suggestions
ETA: what're you thinking, swoop?
Guns of August and then the Keegan book?
ETA: what're you thinking, swoop?
Guns of August and then the Keegan book?
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:35 pm
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:35 pm to Damn Good Dawg
quote:
Thanks guys! Darth, that sounds pretty fascinating and I may have to do that. That said I am young and naive and kinda wanna hop right into the fray.
As for what everyone has suggested, The Guns of August and the First World War by John Keegan have piqued my interest. Seems both are perfect for what I want. I am contemplating if I wanna read the First World War or read The Guns of August and then the First World War.
I'm not a huge reader until I wanna binge read every now and then so I don't wanna burn myself out reading between work but this is something I have always wanted to know more about so I may just read both. Just hope I can push through my ADD tendencies.
you're welcome. One thing I'll caution you on, the John Keegan book is awesome but you'd be better served to do the background study I detailed above if you're going to read his book.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:35 pm to Damn Good Dawg
After you've watched a bunch of WWI films, see if you can find The Last Flight.
It's a variation on Hemingway's Sun Also Rises (which would not be filmed until 1957), concerning aimless, disillusioned WWI vets who wander around Europe getting drunk. They even go to the bullfights, just like in TSAR. It's the most notable portrait of the "Lost Generation" made by the generation itself.
My favorite scene has the man and woman strolling through Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, final resting place of Balzac and Wilde, now best known as the home of Jim Morrison.
Documentaries:
The Great War (1963) -- 26 part BBC series which contains interviews with many actual participants.
The Great War (1996) -- A later BBC series
The Guns of August (1964) -- Feature length exploration of how the war started, from the classic book by Barbara Tuchman
"Hollywood Goes To War" (1979) -- An episode of Hollywood, the superb documentary series about silent movies produced by the great film archivist Kevin Browlow.
It's a variation on Hemingway's Sun Also Rises (which would not be filmed until 1957), concerning aimless, disillusioned WWI vets who wander around Europe getting drunk. They even go to the bullfights, just like in TSAR. It's the most notable portrait of the "Lost Generation" made by the generation itself.
My favorite scene has the man and woman strolling through Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, final resting place of Balzac and Wilde, now best known as the home of Jim Morrison.
Documentaries:
The Great War (1963) -- 26 part BBC series which contains interviews with many actual participants.
The Great War (1996) -- A later BBC series
The Guns of August (1964) -- Feature length exploration of how the war started, from the classic book by Barbara Tuchman
"Hollywood Goes To War" (1979) -- An episode of Hollywood, the superb documentary series about silent movies produced by the great film archivist Kevin Browlow.
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:36 pm to Darth_Vader
We read it and watched both movies at St.Pauls in our world history class
Posted on 7/29/14 at 3:36 pm to Darth_Vader
Book
"On the threshold of life they faced an Abyss of death ...."
It is this way for sure; Death becomes your companion
This post was edited on 7/29/14 at 3:44 pm
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