The war to end all wars..............that was the statement fabricated after WWI. Of course we know differently but why was this state of war unique from all that went before? All war is devastating but the Bang-up State of war engenders particular horror to those who have studied information technology and the author posits, correctly I believe, that information technology was "the matrix on which all subsequent disasters of the 20th century were formed". This volume is not about the battles and the gas and trenches but rather a sociological work which attempts The war to end all wars..............that was the argument fabricated subsequently WWI. Of form we know differently only why was this war unique from all that went before? All war is devastating but the Great War engenders particular horror to those who take studied it and the author posits, correctly I believe, that it was "the matrix on which all subsequent disasters of the 20th century were formed". This volume is not about the battles and the gas and trenches simply rather a sociological work which attempts to respond questions about why and how civilized people could appoint is such uncivilized behavior.The book is divided into three major sections: violence, crusade, and mourning. And it does not only touch on the feelings and actions of fighting men but also examines the civilian populations who suffered (and made others suffer) through the 4 years of hell. We hear their words and in some cases, their excuses for what occurred and the author's interpretation of their actions.
This is a rather disturbing volume that explores some of the myths that accept arisen well-nigh WWI. It is not a history of the war, but a history of the effects of the war. It is a irksome read just well worth the fourth dimension it takes.
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This is a good book on the general meaning of WW1 and on the historiography of the war -- how the story told by historians has changed over the years. The broad question is really about how to empathise why WW1 was such a watershed and how information technology inverse most everything that came subsequently it. This is not a book about battles, campaigns, and peoples. Readers who want such historical particular should read some of the many fine one volume histories that have come up out prior to the centennial. This book is mo This is a expert book on the general significant of WW1 and on the historiography of the war -- how the story told past historians has changed over the years. The wide question is really well-nigh how to understand why WW1 was such a watershed and how information technology changed about everything that came after it. This is not a book near battles, campaigns, and peoples. Readers who want such historical detail should read some of the many fine one volume histories that have come out prior to the centennial. This book is more than about broader questiolns similar why the state of war was and then violent and what that violence did to survivors. The volume is actually composed of a number of shorter innterrelated essays on such topics as violence, compulsion and volunteerism, the nature of barbarity and propaganda, and the nature of the suffering that came with the war and has in many ways afflicted Europe ever since. In its subsequently chapters, the volume reminds me of Drew Gilpin Faust'due south book about the United states Ceremonious War entitled "Republic of Suffering".This is a shorter volume simply a thoughtful 1. The authors have spent some time on these essays and the reader will need to do so as well to appreciate them. Information technology is a reissue of a book published just after the Millenium, but it reads very well and will reward patient readers. The slap-up battles of WW1 tin can exist read virtually elsewhere. It is also interesting to read a potent French perspective on the war and how it is currently understood in French republic.
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14-18 is a social rather than a military or political history; it examines how people thought about the Great State of war during the war itself, how the people information technology touched were changed by the state of war, and how the view of the war inverse afterward every bit a result of those experiences.Information technology is a fascinating book which relies heavily on master sources. More chiefly, information technology looks at what people said during the state of war too as what they said later the state of war, and examines the changes the differences betwixt these attitudes
14-xviii is a social rather than a military or political history; it examines how people idea nigh the Nifty State of war during the war itself, how the people it touched were inverse by the state of war, and how the view of the state of war inverse afterward equally a result of those experiences.Information technology is a fascinating book which relies heavily on main sources. More than importantly, it looks at what people said during the war as well equally what they said afterward the war, and examines the changes the differences between these attitudes bespeak. It takes time over the differences between the actual experiences of people affected by the state of war and the narrative of the state of war which eventually adult -- examining which experiences vanished from memory because they did not fit the narrative.
For instance, considerable fourth dimension is spent on the experiences of French civilians in the occupied regions of France -- controlled by Germany for well-nigh of the state of war -- as they saw resource confiscated for the German state of war effort, and were in many cases deported or put into forced labor camps or roving labor units. These experiences were niggling discussed in post-war France because they did not fit volition with the memory of how France had sacrificed everything in order to concord the Germans back. There was besides increasing suspicion later on the war of most accounts of German abuses or atrocities, as information technology became increasingly common to claim that these were about all fabricated by Centrolineal propaganda. (Indeed, propaganda is one of the interesting issues covered, as 14-eighteen shows fairly successfully that the term is not well applied to what went on in much of the Great War. The modern use of the term refers to mis-information or biased information put frontwards by the authorities or a political faction in gild to sway the people. What exaggeration and hysteria did occur in the popular press during the showtime half of the war was, on the contrary, mostly a lesser-up phenomenon. It was only near the stop of the war that what might in mid-century terms be chosen government "propaganda" began to exist produced.)
All of this makes 14-18 a fascinating and of import read. The reason I give it four rather than v stars relates mainly to scope and organization. The book is organized thematically, which is, I retrieve, a good style to approach its subject. However, within each thematic department there is niggling effort to dissever out the experiences of dissimilar countries and different theaters of war, though in that location is a good word of how trends inverse during the course of the war. I would have appreciated more than discussion of the specific ways in which these experiences and trends varied past nation. What nosotros get instead is mostly an account of France's experience, with a much more passing discussion of the British Empire and Germany (generally where their experiences were especially like or in direct contrast.) Word of Austria-Hungary and Italy are even more sketchy, and The US, Russian federation and Turkey almost absent. I could wish that the book either explicitly restricted itself to France and dug even deeper into that topic, or spent more time discussing each nation involved in the conflict separately inside the themed capacity.
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"It was not until adolescence that I grew weary of these stories [of the state of war during childhood]. More years were needed before I became fully aware of the barbarism of the slaughter. And nevertheless more years before I could assess its terrifying absurdity: does the history of mankind offering many other examples of such disproportion between an immense sacrifice, acquiesced in, and the bodily importance of the initial stakes. In fourth dimension I came to realize that this war, triggered so rashly and waged and so cool
"Information technology was non until adolescence that I grew weary of these stories [of the state of war during childhood]. More than years were needed before I became fully aware of the atrocity of the slaughter. And still more years before I could assess its terrifying absurdity: does the history of mankind offer many other examples of such asymmetry betwixt an immense sacrifice, acquiesced in, and the actual importance of the initial stakes. In time I came to realize that this war, triggered and so rashly and waged so absurdly, plunged the history of the entire century into horror. All the same every bit I write these words, I nonetheless experience a vague feeling of expose." -Quoted in fourteen-18
David B. Morris referred to hurting as an "experience in search of an interpretation." Pain refuses to be suffered without an explanation, any explanation, then long every bit it casts whatever indefinite anguish one feels into an existing framework of agreement. Without certainty, or at the very least a sound estimation, pain cannot brainstorm to heal. This instinct goes far in explaining the vast cornucopia of war literature from every believable perspective. The authors of this slim book set themselves out to be the antidote to a dominant trend in war literature which treats the encarmine conflicts of the twentieth century with an increasingly encyclopedic military fetishism. The popular method of military history, bracing narrative accounts of particular battles, might be compelling for their sheer item and suspense simply offer little in diagnosing the greater cultural consequence of the symphony of pain that is state of war. xiv-18: Agreement the Nifty War attempts to assemble a loose framework for thinking about the unique circumstances of the war and its truly unprecedented carnage and bellboy grief.
As a case written report, the book is an undemanding and often fascinating taster of WWI phenomena: from the brutalizing, mechanical, and progressively detest-fuelled gainsay, to the broader waves of religious nationalism and pseudoscientific racism that stoked the embers, and finally to the peculiarly anticlimactic ceasefire, the question of demobilization, and vast constellations of personal and social pain that materialized in the state of war's wake. For a novice reader of Great War literature, I found the authors to be exceptionally articulate-headed guides while probing hot push button problems (war atrocities, propaganda), more esoteric concerns (the Red Cross either equally humanizing war or legitimizing the idea that war tin be humane), and baffling oddities (the 'German language aroma' and the notion that they urinate through the feet). While it is certainly a valuable work for the relatively uninitiated looking for meaning in a mountain of corpses, and would most probable prove to be a breath of fresh air for agog armed services historians suffering from literary trenchfoot, I think that 14-eighteen will ultimately prove to be a slight mile marking in my WWI education. As an individual work, it is somewhat lacking in material substance, but offers an affluence of ideological lenses through which to arroyo weightier volumes of history. For that it is worth reading.
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This is a skilful book, but not for a general overview of Globe War I. Instead, information technology's main apply is to teach readers to think well-nigh the state of war in different ways and ask new questions. How did soldiers experience pain, grief, and trauma? What was mobilization like? Was it popular, were people opposed? For a full general history of World State of war I, information technology may exist better to look somewhere else. This is a good volume, simply not for a full general overview of World War I. Instead, it's main use is to teach readers to think nigh the state of war in dissimilar ways and ask new questions. How did soldiers experience pain, grief, and trauma? What was mobilization like? Was it popular, were people opposed? For a general history of World State of war I, it may exist better to look somewhere else. ...more
Quite expert not to the lowest degree for laying out the questions that still need to be asked (let alone answered) about WWI. Not a history but a linked series of three essays - engagements, to utilise a term French scholars similar - on Violence, Crusade (Why People/Nations Fought) and Mourning. Especially sharp on the need for historians to human activity similar historians and repossess the war from veterans and politicians. It moves adroitly between the private and the mass: the societal experience of mass death and the indivi Quite good not to the lowest degree for laying out the questions that still need to exist asked (let alone answered) about WWI. Not a history but a linked series of three essays - engagements, to use a term French scholars like - on Violence, Crusade (Why People/Nations Fought) and Mourning. Specially sharp on the need for historians to act similar historians and reclaim the war from veterans and politicians. It moves adroitly between the individual and the mass: the societal experience of mass decease and the individual experience of death. Implicit is that WWI laid the footing for what followed in the 20th century even in modest details: the graves/tombs of the parents who had lost then many sons were smaller and less ornate than those of before the war-elaborate tombs would have been unseemly.This book really needed to have illustrations though.
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A must read for the Neat War historian!
I've read this book, and quote it many times while I was in the academy.
It gives such an arroyo! A must read for the Great State of war historian!
I've read this book, and quote information technology many times while I was in the university.
It gives such an approach! ...more
I really need to stop writing papers on books I've never read lol
"14-18: Understanding The Corking War" helps the reader empathise the War through the understandings of those who fought it, lived through it and commemorated it. Affiliate past chapter the authors examine how civilized societies turned into brutal warriors, collectively and individually, and how they dealt with this transformation.The magnitude of the struggle was unprecedented. The not bad wars of the by betwixt professional armies were replaced by total war as masses were inducted into the military machine
"xiv-18: Understanding The Smashing War" helps the reader understand the War through the understandings of those who fought it, lived through it and commemorated it. Chapter by chapter the authors examine how civilized societies turned into brutal warriors, collectively and individually, and how they dealt with this transformation.The magnitude of the struggle was unprecedented. The not bad wars of the by between professional armies were replaced by total war as masses were inducted into the military and entire nations were channeled into back up of the war effort. Civilians who had never fought before establish themselves hating enemies they did not know, picking off perfect strangers and cleaning trenches of the frightened and wounded. What would they written report about their service? Although uniformed personnel suffered near of the casualties, civilians constitute themselves bombarded, expelled from their homes and forced to work for their country'south invaders. How practice they reconcile their loyalty to homeland with their acts of self-preservation? How did the state of war affect the people's religion and how did men of the textile and their flocks pray to the same God for help in killing their fellow men? How did individuals and nations assuage their grief and with what rituals did they conduct their mourning?
Authors Stephane Audoin-Rouzeau and Annette Becker raise and attempt to answer these questions and more. Originally written in French by French scholars it focuses on the French feel, but not the exclusion of other belligerents. The writing flows and so well that I would non accept known that it was a translation had I not been told. I did choice upward a few facts of interest. Australia was the merely significant belligerent not to adopt conscription, most armies were dominated by peasants and War Memorials list the dead and tombs of the unknown arose in the wake of the Great War. At times I concluded that the American Civil War predictable the course of the World War I and its aftermath. A fairly balanced study of the Armenian Massacre is presented as the Turks sought to remove civilians potentially sympathetic to the Ottoman Empire's Russian enemies. At the end of this work I felt that I was aware of some currents flowing below the surface of battle and politics that so often dominate other tomes. Understanding will take more reflection and more reading. It is a good read early on in the Centennial equally information technology will help readers capeesh some of the thoughts they will encounter in future histories. For that it is worth picking upward.
I did receive a free copy of this book with the hope, but not the requirement, of a review.
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This was more than of a case study on WWI than a truthful history. However, yet definitely worth the read every bit it was clearly influential; most books on the Great State of war that came earlier (written 2000) equally these authors were willing to record the tales of atrocities and what the war really meant to the belligerents. Nosotros at present run across it as a horrific bloodshed, pointless in the fact that it was about nationalistic patriotic and religious fervor, only on all sides, in most cases fifty-fifty the same religion. Assuming this w This was more of a case study on WWI than a true history. Still, nonetheless definitely worth the read as it was clearly influential; most books on the Peachy War that came before (written 2000) equally these authors were willing to tape the tales of atrocities and what the war really meant to the belligerents. We now come across it equally a horrific bloodshed, pointless in the fact that it was about nationalistic patriotic and religious fervor, but on all sides, in most cases fifty-fifty the same faith. Assuming this was the State of war to End All Wars, in that location were seemingly space state sponsored memorials once the ordeal was over, but no real answers for why the slaughter needed to happen; simply a single nation, Deutschland, was declared responsible in whatever fashion for anyone's hardships. This is a true middle opener as the authors brand the argument: why didn't journalists and citizens get to inquire the right questions in and then-called free societies, such equally what is this whole disharmonize even about? Why can't we negotiate a peace sooner? Why aren't we honest about this war and expected to be zealots when it comes to our own nation? Nationalism is in itself a tragedy as we would find out a mere 20 years after the battles that were supposed to be the concluding war in history. A dark tale, simply it needed to be said. ...more
I'm enjoying this brief book immensely. It doesn't endeavour to summarize the events of the war, simply to examine how we might think afresh -- or teach anew -- virtually this event, now a century past. It'southward really a series of essays or lectures by 2 very smart and sensitive people who know the facts, but believe more is necessary for a better understanding. How, for example, are we to call up about the boggling violence of the war? A product of technology? propaganda? "race" hatred? atrocity? They I'thousand enjoying this brief book immensely. It doesn't attempt to summarize the events of the war, but to examine how we might think anew -- or teach anew -- about this event, now a century past. It'southward really a series of essays or lectures by two very smart and sensitive people who know the facts, just believe more than is necessary for a better understanding. How, for case, are we to think most the extraordinary violence of the state of war? A product of technology? propaganda? "race" hatred? barbarism? They contend that it'southward necessary to confront the morbid, ghoulish facts and material evidence in society to actually empathise the horror, and discuss how and why different nations and generations accept given the violence a different spin over the years. All very fascinating. There are more ideas per folio here than in almost WWI books yous'll find.(less) ...more
I haven't read French academic work before (besides a scattering of economics articles in school) and at present I'g wondering why I haven't considering this book was very readable. I take read a lot of German academic works and they are a bear to slog through (really long convoluted sentences = better writing in Germany) so that'southward what I was expecting. If you're looking for a war machine history or a look at the actual physical movement of the war await elsewhere. xiv-18 looks at the psychological impact of the w I haven't read French academic piece of work before (as well a scattering of economics manufactures in school) and now I'm wondering why I oasis't because this book was very readable. I have read a lot of High german academic works and they are a bear to slog through (really long convoluted sentences = better writing in Germany) so that's what I was expecting. If you're looking for a armed services history or a expect at the actual concrete move of the war wait elsewhere. xiv-18 looks at the psychological impact of the war across a diversity of populations during and subsequently the war. It's broken into 3 sections dealing with violence, the cognitive framework of the war, and mourning. Overall and readable await at the social touch of the First World War.*I receive a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway, all opinions are my own.*
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Somehow felt unsatisfying after reading it, perchance because I was never actually convinced it was maxim something that wasn't already intuitive or that we weren't already taught about WWI. Plain information technology is a meaning academic writing about WWI history but, coming from a layman's signal of view, the nuances are too subtle for united states to care about. This is a very wide volume that covers a lot of aspects of the war and is less interesting for those interested in more focused books. The volume as well seems Somehow felt unsatisfying subsequently reading it, perhaps because I was never really convinced it was saying something that wasn't already intuitive or that nosotros weren't already taught virtually WWI. Plainly it is a significant academic writing nearly WWI history simply, coming from a layman's indicate of view, the nuances are likewise subtle for u.s. to care about. This is a very broad book that covers a lot of aspects of the war and is less interesting for those interested in more focused books. The volume likewise seems like an preliminary study at a summary level, and then i leaves it not feeling overwhelmingly convinced. ...more than
A moving exploration of the cultures of violence, martyrdom and grief brought into existence by the Smashing War. Originally written in French, the book presents its ideas in an evocative way and makes more sweeping claims than is usually the case in English language-language historiography; the authors are also participating in French historical debates which may accept less significance to a foreign audience. However, 14-18 is very successful in its invocation of the profound transformations wrought by th A moving exploration of the cultures of violence, martyrdom and grief brought into beingness past the Great War. Originally written in French, the book presents its ideas in an evocative style and makes more sweeping claims than is usually the case in English-language historiography; the authors are also participating in French historical debates which may have less significance to a strange audience. However, fourteen-18 is very successful in its invocation of the profound transformations wrought by the experience of "total war," and offers insightful, psychologically grounded analysis of World State of war I and its reverberations. ...more
The book is less a historical analysis of the Keen War, but more of a expect into the aspects oftentimes disregarded by state of war books, east.g. grief, global sentiment, daily routines of soldiers, things like that. Information technology's enjoyable at times because it does give y'all insights into some crucially overlooked details, simply information technology lacks in cohesiveness and feels disjointed (partially in function b/c information technology bounces around in time).IMO, If y'all don't have a good idea as to the background and history of WW1, information technology's going to exist hard to e
The book is less a historical analysis of the Great War, but more than of a look into the aspects often overlooked by war books, e.g. grief, global sentiment, daily routines of soldiers, things like that. It's enjoyable at times considering it does give you insights into some crucially overlooked details, but it lacks in cohesiveness and feels disjointed (partially in office b/c it bounces around in time).IMO, If you lot don't accept a good idea as to the background and history of WW1, it's going to be hard to relish it.
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"14-18" is complicated, anthropological, and wholly interesting in its examinations of the societal touch on of the Bully War. They answer questions of greatness, of intimacy, of mourning, of faith, and of the body. Audoin-Rouzeau and Becker make their presentations seem simple and logical, but they have flawlessly consolidated volumes and decades of enquiry and insight into something fresh and unique. This book is sure to completely change ane's perspective on the state of war that really threw the wo "14-18" is complicated, anthropological, and wholly interesting in its examinations of the societal impact of the Great War. They respond questions of greatness, of intimacy, of mourning, of religion, and of the body. Audoin-Rouzeau and Becker make their presentations seem simple and logical, but they have flawlessly consolidated volumes and decades of research and insight into something fresh and unique. This volume is sure to completely change one's perspective on the war that really threw the globe we know today into movement. ...more
The world suffers from a commonage amnesia, in which our vision is limited to trenches and flying aces. This book opens a dialogue on the atrocities committed by both sides, and the occupation that brutalized Kingdom of belgium and French republic, which was every bit bad or worse than what they suffered in WWII. No i considers the upshot of the blockade on Federal republic of germany, how their people too were starving. Propaganda paints it every bit a glorious, which this book puts the lie to.
The book was well written, even so I practise not feel that information technology was very curtailed. On the flip side, I thought the topics were kind of scattered. The first section on violence seemed to exist the authors main focus, as it permeated into the other sections. Idea it got me thinking on a couple of different topics, I just don't feel that, overall, information technology aids an "overall understanding" of Earth War One, only stretches minor themes. The book was well written, all the same I exercise not experience that it was very concise. On the flip side, I thought the topics were kind of scattered. The first department on violence seemed to be the authors main focus, every bit it permeated into the other sections. Thought it got me thinking on a couple of different topics, I just don't feel that, overall, it aids an "overall understanding" of Earth War Ane, merely stretches small-scale themes. ...more
This book challenges and explains what the Not bad State of war was like culturally for those fighting and those not fighting. Moving. This book really explains the germination of the Red Cross, religion/spirituality and its development, as well as what the war was similar for women and children. It also poses the question why is WWI frequently overlooked in favor of WWII, when it was equally ugly.
Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.THis was an okay read. It was a trivial hard to get through considering of the writing style. Not something I am really into and the book didn't help out any. I volition acknowledge at times the book got my attention. Ane affair I did savour nearly the book is how well the writer knew the facts.
Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.THis was an okay read. Information technology was a piddling hard to get through because of the writing style. Not something I am really into and the book didn't assistance out any. I will acknowledge at times the book got my attending. One matter I did enjoy about the book is how well the writer knew the facts.
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More about World State of war I scholarship than about WWI. Not what I'thou looking for right at present. Peradventure one day I'll return to it, but I doubt I'll ever be so interested in scholarship, history, and WWI as to do then. More than about World War I scholarship than about WWI. Not what I'grand looking for right now. Maybe one day I'll render to information technology, but I doubt I'll ever be so interested in scholarship, history, and WWI as to do so. ...more
Well that was night.Likewise very, very interesting study of the personal/individual emotional journeying of the state of war with the collective/societal narrative. Unusually focused on the experiences of women and children, which was fascinating and unexpected.
Attempt by French authors to achieve the title. Interesting, just non the identify to start an exploration of WWI.
A tough read regarding the Historiography of WWI. I struggled with the way, but it provided proficient data on the war and historian thoughts on information technology.
This book goes beyond the major dates and battles and events to shed light on the person to person violence of the state of war, The nationalism of citizens, And the effects of the war on the bereaved.
Brilliant. I'g finally coming to understand what people mean when they talk about the shattering impact of WWI. Bright. I'chiliad finally coming to understand what people hateful when they talk about the shattering bear upon of WWI. ...more
Interesting consideration of the human cost across the battlefield in WWI, particularly the discussion of commonage grief.
I enjoyed this book. Information technology has some drawbacks--the authors apply the volume equally a vehicle to advise further research to other historians. Still, every bit a cultural history of WWI, it was a good read.
First championship I ever read that was written be French historians.
Approaching history with a goal to agreement the effects on the human being condition, the book is divided into 3 categories: "Violence," "Crusade" and "Mourning." The authors presume some knowledge of the major events on the function of their audience. In 1914, Europe had endured well-nigh two generations of peace when it swaggered into war for which precedent had fiddling prepared its people. The devastation that followed was different whatever that the populace had seen before.
Approaching history with a goal to agreement the effects on the man status, the book is divided into iii categories: "Violence," "Crusade" and "Mourning." The authors presume some knowledge of the major events on the part of their audience. In 1914, Europe had endured nearly ii generations of peace when it swaggered into state of war for which precedent had little prepared its people. The devastation that followed was unlike any that the populace had seen earlier.
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