ISBN 978-1-84884-141-3.
Pen and Sword, 212 pp, ills, index,
Until recently there were far too few books on the Great War that focused on the efforts of the German soldier. This book provides a new piece of the puzzle to any reader interested in understanding the events and personal feelings of the Germans who served in the Kaiser's Army.
This is a book of quotes from German soldiers, taken from unpublished letters and memoirs, newspapers and war time commissions. The first-hand accounts presented by the editors give the reader an insight into the mind of the average soldier. Each section of the book provides the reader with details on the person being quoted; their background, possible motives for their opinions or the views being presented.
The editors have done a very good job combing through the existing archives and related primary sources while looking for the materials used in the book. They accomplished this despite the loss of large portions of these records in the years following the Great War, in particular the massive destruction that occurred during the Second World War.
The subjects covered by the editors are extensive and touch upon almost every aspect of the war as experienced by the men between 1914 and 1918. The title of the book might be considered misleading to some degree. I believe that much of the focus of the editors was the underlying social discontent that ran through many parts of the army during the war and how these culminated in the events that took place in 1918 when the German army was defeated.
I found that the use of first-hand accounts provides the reader with a different perspective on the German soldier. All too often the ‘enemy' is a faceless, nameless individual whose presence on the battlefield is restricted to a few general comments or statistical detail. By allowing people to read their personal letters and thoughts, these anonymous soldiers suddenly become people with feelings and desires. The ‘enemy' suddenly becomes a human being. The more we look at the events, the individuals and their he personal accounts of the time they spent in the war the more we can understand how this conflict occurred and the impact it had on the people. It also allows the reader to understand why the war took the course that it did.
The reader might be confused into believing the book is primarily about the German soldier and his experiences in combat in the war. Whilst this book does contain accounts of men in combat, for the reader looking for this particular aspect of the Great War I would highly recommend any of the excellent books published by Jack Sheldon. Author Sheldon's books contain numerous first-hand accounts of the men who were in the middle of some of the hardest fought battles of the war.
The information provided in this book complements the materials presented by authors such as Jack Sheldon. It provides an insight into some of the underlying issues and discontent that eventually surfaced by the end of the war and in the years that followed. These events helped shape world history over the twenty or more years following the end of the Great War. Without knowing all of the issues of this period in time it would be almost impossible to fully understand and appreciate the momentous events that helped shape the modern world.
I would recommend this book in that it exposes a part of the conflict that is often overlooked or that receives minimal exposure by many authors until they discuss the very end of the conflict and the collapse of the German army. By presenting the materials in the manner outlined in this book the editors have shown that much of the issues facing the German Army of 1918 had been present and growing in size and importance ever since the war began.
If I have one complaint it is that the book was too short for the subject being presented. Given the complexity and size of the issues raised by the editors Ulrich and Ziemann I hope that they are given the chance to expand on the material provided in this edition and take on each area in greater detail. It is a welcome addition to the collection of anyone studying the Great War.
Review submitted by: Ralph J Whitehead
Buy this book from Pen and Sword.
