Other Books
Blood - Red Desert Sand
The British Invasions Of Egypt & The Sudan 1882-1898
Author: Michael Barthorp
ISBN: 0 304 36223 9
UK offer price: £5.95
This volume is worth every penny for the remarkable black and white photographs alone! The splendid pictures featuring many British military units are the work of pioneer war photographers and remarkably date back to as early as 1882, making this volume a must for military historians and family history researchers, together with model makers and militaria collectors alike.
The narrative is engrossing, encouraging the reader to turn the pages and learn more about this fascinating period in British history – a time when many of our regiments were awarded battle honours that remain on regimental colours and Form part of their cap badges and uniforms today .
The author initially covers the period when British forces fought the French at Aboukir Bay, he then continues to recall events in 1882 when they again landed in Egypt to secure the strategic Suez Canal. The campaign in the Sudan is featured in excellent detail too and is supported by a number of maps and engravings of early paintings and drawings.
A bargain and valuable addition to any enthusiasts library .
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DISCOVERING FORTIFICATIONS
Author: Bernard Lowry
Publisher: Shire Publications Limited
ISBN: 07478 0651 9
Published : June 2006
UK Price: £10.99
Here is yet another very helpful little book from Shire, that will prove to be very useful on days out around the country, as well as stimulating further research into sites that we so often pass by and take for granted.
Discovering Fortifications covers “fortresses” of all shapes and sizes and in numerous locations around the British Isles . In fact every period in our history from the Tudor to the Cold War period is included and the fascinating and very readable text will keep readers of all levels from children to the expert engrossed for hours.
In usual Shire style, this volume is once again packed to the hilt with many splendid black and white and colour photographs and easy to read maps. There is a very useful list of addresses and list of forts around the UK and suggestions for further reading.
I feel sure this volume will be a handy companion in the car, useful for school history projects and the family and local history researcher is sure to find a use for it too.
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HOME FRONT 1914-1918
How Britain Survived The Great War
Author: Ian Beckett
Publisher: The National Archives
ISBN: 1 903365 813
Published in July 2006
UK Price: £19.99
Anyone asked to make a few comments with regards to the Great War, will normally think of soldiers in battledress, trench warfare, thousands of casualties and the suffering that followed, few however will remark on the conditions at home, where the there was hardly a family in the land who was not involved or effected in one way or another with the “war effort”. Although British troops had already gone overseas to fight for King (or Queen) and Country for centuries , the Great War is considered to have been the first time that there was such a massive impact on British life in general.
As Fathers, sons and brothers together with friends and work colleagues fought side by side on foreign fields, those left behind worked harder than ever before to grow crops, produce the machinery of war and ammunition and whilst suffering from the loss of loved ones, had to contend with aerial bombardment and rationing. There was a vast influx of foreign refugees and as women were now expected to play an increasing part too, their lives and the female role in society was to change for ever.
I am sure that this, Ian Beckett’s latest book, will be an invaluable source of reference for family history researchers, military, social and local historians together with the casual reader too. It includes a wealth of information together with many excellent previously unpublished photographs, original letters and fascinating personal testimonies from the vast collection at the National Archives therefore making it excellent and compelling reading.
My wife’s comment when she saw this publication of “I will be reading this myself”, speaks volumes – I feel sure this will be a very popular book with the ladies too!
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COMMAND AND CONTROL ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Author: Gary Sheffield & Dan Todman
Publisher: Tempus Publishing
UK Price: £20.00
It is common knowledge that the command and control structure of our forces in the Great War has often been the subject of criticism. This unfortunately has reflected badly on the reputations of many senior officers of that period and led to many derogatory the expressions, including the famous “Lions led by donkeys”.
This excellent volume, written by two leading military historians, is a new interpretation of the British command structure in the Great War and through their thorough and painstaking research, their findings actually debunk many of the myths surrounding this unsatisfactory school of thought.
They examine the complex practicalities of command at that time and from the new evidence provided, the reader will be able to judge for themselves, that the commanders facing the criticism may actually have been a lot more effective than many have thought and this after all led to the British Army being at its peak of efficiency in 1918.
This is very much a specialist volume that goes into great detail. It will therefore, without a doubt appeal to military historians, battlefield guides and Great War enthusiasts alike and is a must for any serious researcher’s bookshelves!
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BRITISH MILITARY RIFLES
Author: Peter Duckers
Publisher: Shire Publications
Published in August 2005
UK Price: 4.99
Priced at just £4.99, this splendid little book represents excellent value for money and will prove invaluable to military historians, students of military history, battlefield guides together with arms and militaria collectors alike, as it covers ‘guns” from as early as the 1300s through to the present day.
Peter Duckers is an expert with over 40 years experience in this fascinating subject and he has therefore written a book that will appeal not only to fellow enthusiasts and experts alike, but also to the layman who maybe is new to this area of collecting or is researching weapons as part of a wider area of interest in other matters military or historical.
The book contains many useful diagrams and splendid close up photographs of weapons and ammunition alike, however what really makes this title interest me, is the excellent collection of photographs depicting British troops from all periods of history, photographed in all corners of the world actually using the weapons described in the text.
I make no secret of the fact that I actually purchased my first title from Shire Books over thirty years ago. That superb little book is still as invaluable to me today as it was then and I feel sure that I will refer to this book many times in the future too and that prove to be as valuable too and therefore an excellent investment priced just under a fiver!
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WAR MEMORIALS IN BRITAIN
Author: Jim Corke
Publisher: Shire Publications
Published in 2005
UK Price: £5.99
I purchased my first title (English County Regiments) from Shire Books over thirty years ago. That superb little book is still as invaluable to me today, as it was then, which in itself, is testimony to the value I place on these splendid, excellent value for money, pocket sized publications.
As a result of this country’s participation in innumerable campaigns in the far flung corners of the world, one cannot visit any British City , town, or even the smallest of villages, without noticing a war memorial of some description. These of course, vary in size from a small plaque on a shady park bench, through to huge, impressive monuments in more prominent locations. Sadly, however, these memorials are often passed by un-noticed and without a second thought, however thanks to the recent upturn in interest in genealogy, many people are now paying closer attention to these commemorations to the fallen, in hope of tracing a link to an ancestor.
Shire’s latest title “War Memorials in Britain” fills a much needed gap and provides military historians, researchers and the casual reader alike, with a great deal of useful information on a wide range of war memorials all over the country. There is a host of excellent photographs in both colour and black and white, together with a useful gazetteer listing memorials on a countywide basis.
Although this splendid title cannot claim to be the definitive work on this fascinating subject, its a snip at just £5.99. I am sure it will encourage further reading and research and due to its handy size, will fit into any glove-box or rucksack making it an ideal companion on your days out in town or countryside around the British Isles.
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THE HOME FRONT IN THE GREAT WAR
Author: David Bilton
Publisher: Pen & Sword Select
First Published in 2003 By Leo Cooper
This new edition published in 2004
UK Price: £19.95
This long overdue publication brilliantly portrays the real effects of the Great War on those left behind at home. As Fathers, Husbands, Sons and Brothers went off to war and face the enemy at the front, their loved ones fought long lasting “battles” of their own on British soil! With Zeppelin raids, food shortages and rationing, censorship, the demand for improved manufacturing towards the war effort and of course the never ending (and growing) casualty lists to contend with, the initial euphoria, experienced in the early stages of the war began to dwindle and the reality of being at war finally began to have a deep impact on every day life.
This excellent volume is packed with many superb photographs and cartoons of the period, facsimiles of documents, and a very useful Home Front Time Line. detailing every major event at home in the years 1914-1918.
If there is one book to buy on this fascinating yet complex subject, this is it!
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DOCTORS IN THE GREAT WAR
Author: Ian R. Whitehead
Publisher: Leo Cooper
Pen & Sword Books Limited
First Published in 1999
UK Price: £25.00
This splendid publication is sure to appeal to readers with a general interest in the Great War, however those with a specialist interest in the medical profession or anyone who had relatives who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps will find it a most useful reference book.
For the first time in our history, Doctors played a greater part in the Great War than they had ever done in previous conflicts! By 1918,The Royal Army Medical Corps had expanded so much so, that 13,000 doctors (half of the nation’s medical profession) were on active service!
The author has skilfully examined the impact of the Great War on the medical profession, which resulted in a substantial contribution by medical students, which in turn opened up new professional opportunities for women.
An insight into the experiences of dealing with the new challenges, such as the effects of poison gas, shell shock and seriously infected wounds as well as the need to differentiate between civilian and military medicine and the need for further and specialist training are discussed in detail. This analysis, coupled with many really superb black and white photographs makes it an excellent purchase and reference for the future.
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TOMMY
The British Soldier on The Western Front 1914-1918
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN: 0-00 713751-6
Published: 2004
UK Price: £20.00 (Refers to the Hardcover version)
This superb book, written by Britain’s top military historian – Professor Richard Holmes, tells the fascinating story of the ordinary British Soldier during the Great War. Covering just about every angle of the ordinary soldier’s daily life (“warts and all”) from the day he enlisted through to the day he was either de-mobbed or was killed in action, this brilliant book makes compelling reading for the family, military or social history researcher, the battlefield tourist as well as those who just like a “good read”,
The author is a most brilliant story teller, he has the reader hanging on his every word and the detailed and fascinating narrative in this volume, is backed up by many superb black and white photographs, making this publication an excellent source of reference and exceptionally good value for money and a must for any bookshelf at just £20.00.
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Author: GORDON CORRIGAN
Publisher: CASSELL
Ninth Impression Published: 2003
UK Price: £18.99
Major Gordon Corrigan, is considered by many to be one of the most exciting military historians, broadcasters and authors today. He can be critical, highly controversial as well as witty - he has however carried out many years of in depth research and really knows his subject! The result, he has succeeded in producing an excellent book that throws a completely different light on the Great War, the events that led up to it, the command structures and politics in place at the time and conditions experienced by the soldiers themselves.
An ex regular army officer who served with the Gurkhas, the author has provided some superb comparisons between the armies of 1914-18, the thinking at the time and those of today. This volume is therefore an outstanding reference work and a thoroughly good read. Any family historian or researcher, school history teacher or student will not be disappointed with its contents.
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INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA 1918-1920
Author: Miles Hudson
Publisher: Leo Cooper
Published in 2004
UK Price: £19.95
Generally, little is know of the allied intervention into Russia and the Caspian Sea region during the period between 1918-1920. In fact, sixteen countries including Britain sent their armed forces to the area, as it had become increasingly politically complex and more unstable following the Revolution in the March of 1917 and the Bolshevik coup de tat in the following November.
Many British servicemen from all arms of the services took part in this “ill fated” expedition. Ironically, having survived the horrors and deprivation of the Great War, a number were to lose their lives as a result of what was expected of them by the politicians at home, bearing no resemblance as to what was actually happening on the ground!
The author who was, at one time a soldier and latterly Political Secretary to Sir Alec Douglas-Home at the Foreign Office, has drawn upon the experiences of some of the British servicemen involved. He has also taken the opportunity to measure the obvious errors made by those who ordered this unfortunate incursion, against the present tendency of some Western governments to become involved in what has been described by many as “other peoples problems” , worldwide.
This book will appeal to those, who like myself who had often wondered why their forefathers had actually served in Russia at this crucial period in world history.
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SHEFFIELD
ARMOURER TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE
Author: Stewart Dalton
Publisher: Wharncliffe Books
First Published in 2004
UK Price: £9.99
This interesting volume is sure to be of interest to the family history researcher, military and social historians, along with anyone with a general interest in South Yorkshire, as it gives a fascinating insight into the industrial areas of Sheffield and Rotherham, during the period 1914 through to1945- the “dark years”, where these towns and their citizens played an integral part towards the war effort, by supplying everything from rivets for aircraft built to defend the homeland, through to arms and ammunition, for ships on the high seas as well as the advancing British and allied forces in the far flung corners of the empire!
Those grim days, are thankfully a far cry away, as the modern city of Sheffield and bustling town of Rotherham have gone through a complete metamorphosis! Following a gradual post war decline and up until just a few years ago, they were considered to be in the middle of an industrial depression- with high levels of unemployment and loss of traditional industry, the future looked bleak! Today, they are famous for a first class university, high tech and modern service industries and some of the best transport links in the country.
Leaving no stone unturned, the author has carried out painstaking research, and has provided a great deal of fascinating and valuable information for the reader. The black and white archive photographs of local people in groups, as well as going about their everyday life, together with buildings that have long since gone and complex vintage machinery, taken over a period spanning 3 decades, superbly supplement this excellent book, which is well worth buying for the pictures alone!
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SHOT AT DAWN
By Julian Putkowski and Julian Sykes
ISBN 0850526132
Published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd.
Price: £19.95
Shot at dawn - thought provoking words, describing the fate of over 300 British and Commonwealth troops sentenced to death under the Army Act during the Great War.
The authors have carried out much pain staking research and investigation into what has proved to be, an embarrassing subject for both the relatives of those shot and many successive governments since the war.
The men who died, their respective regiments, the deeds that led to their being brought to trial, the date and place of execution, together with burial or memorial details (where possible) are all included in what has to be the most authoritative book covering this sad part of our nation’s history.
Many military historians and ex army officers believe, that in the majority of cases the condemned men deserved their punishment - I am unsure however! Here, you have the opportunity to read the facts for yourself and make up your own mind. This book is a useful addition to any Great War reference library!
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THE BRITISH OFFICER
Author: Anthony Clayton
Publisher: Longman
ISBN: 0582894093
Published in July 2006
UK Price: £20.99
This is a very useful volume for the both the casual researcher and military historian alike. In fact I would also stick my neck out and say that anyone with the slightest interest in the British Army – especially Sandhurst cadets and up and coming NCO’s should not be without a copy, as is makes fascinating reading and also provides an excellent source of research for the future.
This excellent volume covers every period of our history from the English Civil Wars to the present day and the major wars and campaigns fought during that time are covered and the well written text is supported with some fine copies of engravings and photographs too.
The book is set out in chronological order and the overviews of each period are especially useful as they provide information on the conditions experienced at the time, the tactics and equipment used and features everything else including recruiting, manning strengths, promotion procedures and levels of pay at the various times. There are excellent chapters dealing with logistics, amalgamations and the support arms and the appendix covering the more recent “Options for change”, brings it smack up to date.
I personally enjoyed reading it and believe other readers will find the biographies and extracts from personal memoirs of officers from the different periods covered most enlightening. Although the title is “The British Officer”, I believe it is more general than that and in fact offers a pretty good insight into the army as a whole - an army that has in fact served us well over the years and will, I am sure do so in the years to come.
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British Trench Names of the Western Front 1914-1918
Author: Peter Chasseaud
Publisher: Spellmount Publishers
ISBN: 1 86227 276 X
Published : February 2006
UK Price: £21.25
This unique volume from Spellmount is certain to prove invaluable to Great War military historians, Battlefield Guides /enthusiasts and serious family history researchers alike, as it is the first ever study of British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and Indian trench names of the Western Front to be published.
All battlefields, from Ypres, Loos, Vimy Ridge and Arras to the Somme, Cambrai and the 1918 battles are covered and the reader is provided with a very useful gazetteer of an unbelievable 10,000 plus trench names, which in themselves prove the important part that trench warfare actually played during the Great War.
The background information on British trench naming policy provides interesting reading too and the fact that many trench names chosen by the troops actually reflect the background of the men involved, where they came from, the conditions in which they lived and of course the full horrors they experienced is useful from a cultural point of view. Lovers Lane, Lavender Walk, Idiots Corner, International Trench, Nonsense Trench, Chaos Trench, Gangrene Alley are just a few names chosen for these muddy pits of death - confirming that despite all the hardships and suffering the troops were experiencing at the time, they still had a remarkable sense of humour and imagination.
As well as providing the researcher with a long list of names, it also includes all map references and some superb aerial photographs too, making it an important aid for those wishing to pinpoint sites of specific battles and actions etc.
Certainly one for the Great War bookshelves!
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THE BRITISH ARMY HANDBOOK 1914-1918
Author: Andrew Rawson
Publisher: Sutton Publishing
ISBN: 0750937459
Published :
UK Price: £25.00
As many readers are aware, the British Army of 1914 was comparatively small and ill-equipped for the war it was about to fight, however from those modest beginnings and in what really was a comparatively short period of time, it grew into a much larger, better equipped and well trained organisation, that soon became the most effective fighting force in the field at that time. This larger Army with almost seven million men was now much more complex than it had ever been in its entire history.
This volume – one of several in a series from this specialist publisher, provides the reader with an excellent insight into this unique army during the Great War period and covers just about every aspect of its operation and organisation from conscription and training, equipment , vehicles and weapons through to tactics and communication and so much more. I personally found the section on divisional organisation and histories useful and I am sure the part pertaining to sites of interest and remembrance will be invaluable to those visiting the battlefields today.
In fact, military historians, family history researchers, militaria collectors together with anyone with even the slightest interest in the Great War will find this splendid publication provides fascinating reading and an invaluable source of reference for the future too. Many will agree with me, that it is a must have in their collection or library and will therefore want to go on an read other titles in the series.
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