Review by Booklist Review
This volume presents a unique and concise approach to examining the key moments of the Great War, from just prior to the declaration of war through its aftermath. Readers will find brief coverage of events, biographies of key people, eyewitness accounts from soldiers and civilians, discussions of weapons technology, and a plethora of stunning visual images. The work is laid out in seven chapters, beginning with The Troubled Continent 1870-1914 and ending with Aftermath 1919-1923. Each chapter opens with an introduction and an extensive time line that details each month of the war. Various topics are covered in two-page spreads, full of the visuals that DK is known for an almost overwhelming number of maps with intricate battle details; vivid photographs of people, places, and items of the era; and other graphics. A concluding section, In Memoriam, provides information on key battle sites, museums, memorials, and cemeteries by country. As 2014 is the 100-year anniversary of the start of the war, the topic is sure to be popular, and this book belongs in most high-school and public libraries.--Harless, Carol Sue Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Capturing the full experience of WWI is a formidable task, but this new, comprehensive account by historian Grant comes close. He presents information in an accessible manner and makes it easy to peruse a rich array of articles, detailed maps, and images. Remarkable yet little-known figures like Eugene Bullard, an African-American who became the world's first black fighter pilot, are given their due alongside major figures like Marshal Petain and Field Marshal von Hindenburg. The selection of images builds a remarkable portrait of the war, including an aerial camera used to observe enemy troop movements, wartime propaganda posters, a pigeon named Cher Ami awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery, and sculptures created by Kathe Kollwitz in honor of her son slain at the first battle of Ypres. Eyewitness accounts of the 1914 Christmas Truce, and startling details like Gen. Douglas Haig's insistence that cavalry armed with sabers had a place in modern warfare, serve as reminders of both the remarkable displays of respect and horrifying incompetence that arose during the conflict. This is a broad, moving, informative account of the war that's perfect for both the young, budding historian and the well-versed WWI reader. Photos and illus. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Heftier than many DK books, this illustration- and fact-packed encyclopedia is chronologically arranged, with seven sections of material covering from "The Troubled Continent: 1870-1914" to "Aftermath: 1919-1923." Each segment offers an opening illustrated time line that resembles a calendar page. Where multiple years are covered, the boxes represent significant months; whereas in the chapter "Stalemate: 1915," for example, several days per month are addressed. In typical DK fashion, spreads cover a subject each in lively detail. They are liberally sprinkled with paintings, maps, photos of troops, battle action, and modern-day locations where the carnage took place and with photos of period artifacts. Opening and closing sidebars outline what happened before and after the events at hand. More granular time lines and stark statistics throughout add value. VERDICT A visual wonder of important historical events, as promised in the title.-HV (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
