Jack Sheldon's Book

[joerookery]

Mine arrived this evening I'm through the intro. "The Germans on the Somme" You can order by clicking the book cover at
http://www.coljs.com/
Yes I get a commission if you order through the site. Costs you nothing more. Last year I made $40. So my wife retired. Book seems FANTASTIC.

 

[Gustaf]

I wish I could retire on $40.
Zaphod

 

[joerookery]

This is a book about the battle of the Somme. If you're looking for a good read over Christmas. I would think this is it. You can order it by hook or by crook or click on the link here. This is not a book about helmets.

Everyone always says good books are the best or must have. This book covers a subset of the war. However, it covers it better than any other book has ever covered that subset or any other subset. The author has taken a huge array of German sources translated them with nuance, organized them and presented them. This is a series of first-person accounts of the Imperial German Army, on the Somme between September 1914, until the end of 1916. I learned a huge amount about the army. I have been studying this for a long time, and I learned huge amounts. Things I never would have learned because of a language non-interoperability. These are the words of the German participants. You hear what was important to them.

I had no concept how important a grenade was. I always thought that the dugout provided some sort of protection. I always thought there were trenches. I have never experienced anything that even remotely approaches what these guys did. Thank God. I am amazed. I would never have known these things, had I not read this book.

I find it fascinating that most of the participants concentrated on issues of normal life. The focus of conversation was not on the moments of intense excitement but rather the continuing struggle for survival. Logistics, resupply, weather and the absolute randomness of combat were really evident. There was not the bravado or glory of Ernst Jünger’s book, rather there was a clear feeling of duty and horror. There is none of the naïve, inexperienced banter complaining about the difference in rank structure. Rather, there was a teamwork borne out of horror and hardship. It seems unfathomable that these individuals had to go through two more years of war. Years. Two more years.

Should Jack Sheldon write another book, I will be one of the first to buy it. As an American I did not care for the map work, because I do not believe that this battlefield is as etched in my mind, as it is in the minds of a British citizen. I found additional maps to be most useful.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=3g2CcWLB9l&isbn=1844152693&itm=1%20

 

[Pierre Grande Guerre]

Joe wrote:

However, it covers it better than any other book has ever covered that subset or any other subset. The author has taken a huge array of German sources translated them with nuance, organized them and presented them. This is a series of first-person accounts of the Imperial German Army, on the Somme between September 1914, until the end of 1916. I learned a huge amount about the army. I have been studying this for a long time, and I learned huge amounts. Things I never would have learned because of a language non-interoperability. These are the words of the German participants. You hear what was important to them.

I just finished this book. I only bought it 2 weeks ago at the Visitor's Centre of the Ulster Tower, and whenever I did found some time during our trip, I read it with growing amazement. I do totally agree with Joe's words!

It is the best book, I have ever read until now about the German side of the Battle of the Somme and the period before from 1914, told so personally by the soldier's and officers's war diaries.
Even the appendix of the German Battle Order from 1914-1916 in the Somme gives some amazing rather "new" information than known before.
For instance that fact that on 1 july 1916 there were not only Wurtemberger in Thiepval Village and the Schwaben Redoubt , but also and mainly the 10th Bavarian Infantry Division of General Major Burkhardt were active in Thiepval.

In between the lines of the stories of these German war diairies, it becomes also very clear that the French gave the Germans also still a hard time on the battlefield from December 1914 until April 1915, when they were relieved in the sector by British troops. The French were holding on guarding the line.

Good news is , there is a soft paperback edition now of the book. I payed at Mr. Teddy Colligan's Ulster Tower only 27 Euro's, instead of 45 Euro! He also read it and said I did buy "the real thing". Mr. Teddy has been very right, as Joe is.

So Listen to our respected Uncle Joe: This IS a must, you would not like to miss.

Chapeau and thanks for Jack Sheldon and his lady for making this book!

Pierre
pierreswesternfront.punt.nl