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angelofthetardis's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Considering how long I've been waiting for this book to arrive at the library, it couldn't have made a more timely appearance. An overview of the First World War for a young adult audience, this book tells the story of the conflict through tales of people who were there. While well known names of course appear, the author also takes the time to bring to light stories of the ordinary folk, the men and women who laid down their lives in Flanders Field and beyond.
As with his book on WW2, I was struck by the fact that the whole conflict is included. So often we focus on this 'World' War as a fight over what is essentially miles of territory in France and Belgium. So I find it incredibly refreshing that the author has taken the time to rectify that assumption, explaining about the war on the Eastern Front, the involvement of nations not directly linked with either the Allies or the Central Powers and the naval battles. I won't say there's anything in here I wasn't vaguely aware of, but equally it goes into enough detail that it's expanded my understanding of certain elements, even if it hasn't taught me everything I need to know.
The author does a sterling job at weaving in the words of his subjects to bring them (back) to life in the narrative. The work is written with sensitivity and care for all those mentioned; there's no revelling in victory or defeat; it really is about seeing different aspects of the war through their eyes. And yet there's no shying away from the sad fates of many - in broad terms the author describes the horrors of the trenches in a way that immediately invokes the realities of the conflict; the dead everywhere you look, the foul nature of the living conditions in the dugouts etc. and yet he manages to not overwhelm the reader with needlessly shocking depictions. Then on a more personal level, he matter-of-factly states that a featured person passed away the next day, yet because of the style it doesn't feel heartless.
Although I do appreciate that lots of events take place concurrently, I did find the timeline of this one harder to follow as it's not quite in chronological order. In one chapter you might work through to half way through 1915, then at the start of the next you're back in 1914 again. As ultimately the book is made up of a series of vignettes from various perspectives, I wonder if a slight rejigging of things to keep things truly chronological might have made it an easier read.
This one does feel more balanced than the Second World War book in the same series; the respect each side had for the other as evidenced by the various temporary truces etc. mean that it's a lot harder to paint the simplistic black and white narrative of 'Us good, them bad'. There are moments where certain individuals are painted in unflattering lights, but even these seem truer to life rather than caricatures. Although there is one moment where his tone feels like he's setting up a 'boo, hiss' pantomime villain rather than making a serious point, which only resulted in an eyeroll and an 'I wondered when he'd make an appearance' from me. It's not entirely necessary, but at the same time it's factually correct and forms an important part of the story of how the next 30 years develop...plus it's an obvious segue into the WW2 book.
Needless to say, in the morning I will remember them. 🌺
As with his book on WW2, I was struck by the fact that the whole conflict is included. So often we focus on this 'World' War as a fight over what is essentially miles of territory in France and Belgium. So I find it incredibly refreshing that the author has taken the time to rectify that assumption, explaining about the war on the Eastern Front, the involvement of nations not directly linked with either the Allies or the Central Powers and the naval battles. I won't say there's anything in here I wasn't vaguely aware of, but equally it goes into enough detail that it's expanded my understanding of certain elements, even if it hasn't taught me everything I need to know.
The author does a sterling job at weaving in the words of his subjects to bring them (back) to life in the narrative. The work is written with sensitivity and care for all those mentioned; there's no revelling in victory or defeat; it really is about seeing different aspects of the war through their eyes. And yet there's no shying away from the sad fates of many - in broad terms the author describes the horrors of the trenches in a way that immediately invokes the realities of the conflict; the dead everywhere you look, the foul nature of the living conditions in the dugouts etc. and yet he manages to not overwhelm the reader with needlessly shocking depictions. Then on a more personal level, he matter-of-factly states that a featured person passed away the next day, yet because of the style it doesn't feel heartless.
Although I do appreciate that lots of events take place concurrently, I did find the timeline of this one harder to follow as it's not quite in chronological order. In one chapter you might work through to half way through 1915, then at the start of the next you're back in 1914 again. As ultimately the book is made up of a series of vignettes from various perspectives, I wonder if a slight rejigging of things to keep things truly chronological might have made it an easier read.
This one does feel more balanced than the Second World War book in the same series; the respect each side had for the other as evidenced by the various temporary truces etc. mean that it's a lot harder to paint the simplistic black and white narrative of 'Us good, them bad'. There are moments where certain individuals are painted in unflattering lights, but even these seem truer to life rather than caricatures. Although there is one moment where his tone feels like he's setting up a 'boo, hiss' pantomime villain rather than making a serious point, which only resulted in an eyeroll and an 'I wondered when he'd make an appearance' from me. It's not entirely necessary, but at the same time it's factually correct and forms an important part of the story of how the next 30 years develop...plus it's an obvious segue into the WW2 book.
Needless to say, in the morning I will remember them. 🌺
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Violence, War, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Excrement
matilda2011's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
redroseses's review
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Classism, Gore, Murder, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, War, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
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