The Home Front: The Realization: Somme, Jutland & Verdun (The Great War Illustrated) - Softcover

Bilton, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1473833701 ISBN 13: 9781473833708

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military, 2016

Synopsis

Many books have looked at the effect of the war on the Home Front, but this is the first book to take a glimpse at the Home Front photographically from an international point of view, covering both Allied and enemy countries, juxtaposing the same situations in different countries to show a similar response.

This volume chronicles the changes brought on by just a few months of war: spies, increased casualties, food shortages, changes in work patterns, the shortage of men in the work force, women at work and at the end of the year the slow rush in Britain to volunteer for the army, hoping to not be called for service. It also looks at the Home Front for those caught behind enemy lines where life was both spartan, potentially dangerous and subject to the whim of the victor. The photographs, many of which have not been seen before and some which have never been published, clearly show that each year of war had a further profound effect on each nation. This unique series of international photographic books fits in with the author's more textual books on the Home Front: Hull in the Great War and Reading in the Great War, both of which explore the complex life of a city at war.

About this title

About the Author

David Bilton is a retired teacher who spends his time looking after his family, working as a University lecturer and researching the Great War. He is the prolific author of numerous books about the British Army, the Home Front and the German Army. His first book, The Hull Pals, became the BBC 2 series The Trench. Since he started writing he has contributed to many television and radio programmes. His interest in the Great War was ignited by his grandfather's refusal to talk about his experiences in Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

Review

"There are now a few books that cover the home front during the first world war, but not that many based mostly on photographs, and certainly not that many covering not only Britain but also the allied and enemy countries. David Bilton has compiled a brilliant collection of photographs that illustrate not only the effect the war had on the folks left behind, but also on the desperation, the futility of the war. Amazing." (Books Monthly)

About this edition

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1473833701
• ISBN 13: 9781473833708
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160