He is one of Britain’s greatest war historians. And now in his masterly and compelling new book marking the centenary of World War I, Max Hastings tells the very human stories behind the horror. Yesterday, he revealed how a doubting Britain was persuaded to join the conflict. Here, in our third extract, he describes scenes of carnage and confusion as the bloodbath in France begins.
To most people, World War I is synonymous with the hell of trench warfare, barbarous bombardments and troops with fixed bayonets going over the top to die pointlessly, amid hails of machine-gun bullets, on barbed wire.
But the early encounters in August 1914 were entirely different. The war that would be a catastrophic stalemate for so many years actually began in a swirl of movement and colour.
Under brilliant skies, the armies of France, Germany, Belgium and Britain marched on foot and on horseback along dusty, un-metalled roads towards collisions with the enemy amid golden cornfields and puzzled peasant spectators — much as armies had done for centuries.
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I hope to read this book, but it could not surpass Hochschild's book on WWI, To End All Wars. If I could home-school my kids now, who average 50 years of age, I'd make it required reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with it and thanks.
Deletegood God! Look at the size of that German soldiers paw!
ReplyDelete:)! A biggie.
DeleteWatching LOTR over and over. Flat on my back typing with a stylus on a Nook tablet.
ReplyDeleteMany great quotes. I shall return.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the “ “Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring tags: compassion, justice, mercy 3,922 people liked it like “The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring tags: compassion, justice, mercy 3,922 people liked it like “The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
“To whatever end. Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to this.
“Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.
“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
typing with a stylus on a Nook tablet.
DeleteI can't even imagine that.:)
The result is clear in the way I screwed up that comment. Only the first sentence of that huge paragraph belongs. Ignore the rest but that sentence speaks for me. I promise more care in the future.
ReplyDelete50 lashes with a wet noodle!:)
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