As we approach the 91st anniversary of the Armistice that ended major hostilities in the First World War, this week’s picks are in remembrance of all those who served in the defence of their countries.
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We have released two new audiobooks this week: A School History of the Great War, which includes European history leading up to the war and reasons for America’s eventual entry into the war, and Diary of a Nursing Sister on the Western Front 1914-1915, a most moving account of a British nurse’s experiences during the first year of World War One.
In some of our weekly poetry projects, where a particular poem is read by a variety of readers, you will find works by some of the most distinguished war poets:
- Wilfred Owen:
Smile, Smile, Smile
Anthem for Doomed Youth
Dulce et Decorum Est - John McCrae:
In Flanders Fields
The Unconquered Dead
During the week commencing November 8th, why not come and join us in making your own recording of The Soldier by Rupert Brooke?
There is a rich variety of books written about the First World War. Here are some suggestions:
Two books by James Norman Hall: High Adventure A Narrative of Air Fighting in France and Kitchener’s Mob Adventures of an American in the British Army.
Four Weeks in the Trenches by Fritz Kreisler, the famed violinist’s account of his service on the Russian Front.
Canada’s Hundred Days: With the Canadian Corps from Amiens to Mons, Aug. 8 – Nov. 11, 1918. Part One. Amiens by John Frederick Livesay.
The Escape of a Princess Pat by George Pearson, an account of the capture, imprisonment and final escape of Corporal Edwards, of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Brieven van den nutteloozen toeschouwer, a series of newspaper columns in Dutch, written by well-known Dutch author Louis Couperus in 1914, during the first weeks of World War I.
In the Field (1914-1915) by Marcel Dupont, “a modest Lieutenant of Chasseurs”.
Over the Top by Arthur Empey, an account of the horror of trench warfare. As a little light relief, this also includes Empey’s popular “Tommy’s Dictionary of the Trenches” which humorously demystifies the slang used by the British soldier.
Observations of an Orderly by Ward Muir, who brings us into the heart of an English war hospital, describing scenes of cleanliness, triumph, order and sadness.
There are also a number of interesting items in Short Works Collections, including:
السلام علسكم ورحمة الله وبركاته وشلونكم شخباركوم علومكم وين الناس وين الغيبه على العموم انا بنتضاركوم وين ماترحون انتضركم خلاص يالله سي يو
I appreciate that you are putting some light on the sacrifices people have made for us to be free and to protect us. There are too many people who do not show the respect to the military for what they do and the sacrifices they make.
Thank you for your incredible effort to shed light on the military and the sacrifices they have made for us. They are underpaid and certainly under appreciated to offer to give their lives to protect us.
You really can not know what sacrifice a soldier makes unless you have been in the trenches of war. I appreciate what every man and woman has given to protect me and my children in their sacrifice. We should hold everyone in the military on a pedistal in reconition of what they do and honor them with respect.
Over the Top was a marvel of a book. It is hard to believe that people had to endure that. I am happy that there are those brave enough to do it for us and sustain our freedom.
I was fascinated with Canada’s hundred days it was a great story thank you for sharing it with me. I really appreciate this site.
I was facinated by the book High Adventure A Narrative of Air Fighting in France when I read it. You really have a great site here and perform a wonderful service thank you very much.
I read in the field and was delighted by it. It seems an accurate accounting of the ills of war and is a good reminder to us to keep the kids home and not send them everywhere to be policemen.