Description
Book Synopsis
Jeremy Paxman''s magnificent history of the First World War tells the entire story of the war in one gripping narrative from the point of view of the British people.
''If there is one new history of the war that you might actually enjoy this is very likely it'' The Times
''Lively, surprising and memorable'' Guardian
''A procession of fascinating details'' Prospect
''Paxman writes so well and sympathetically and he chooses his detail so deftly'' The Times
''Clever, laconic and racy'' Daily Telegraph
Life in Britain during the First World War was far stranger than many of us realize. In a country awash with mad rumour, frenzied patriotism and intense personal anguish, it became illegal to light a bonfire, fly a kite or buy a round of drinks. And yet the immense upheaval of the war led to many things we take for granted today: the vote, passports, vegetable allotments and British Summer Time am
Trade Review
He writes so well and sympathetically, and
chooses his detail so deftly, that
if there is one new history of the war that you might actually enjoy from the very large centennial selection this is very likely it * The Times *
The writing is lively and
the detail often surprising and memorable * Guardian *
Incisive,
colourful. Paxman
delves into every aspect of British life to capture the mood and morale of the nation * Daily Express **** *
Clever,
laconic and
racy. A judicious mix between individual stories and the 'bigger picture' . . .
engages the mind and emotions * Telegraph *
A procession of
fascinating details . . .
he narrates with brio . . .
conveys the texture of the times . . .
write[s] with clarity and sympathy * Spectator *
Paxman is particularly good . . . in showing how much a modern perspective distorts our understanding . . . summarises well how class barriers were shattered . . .
refreshingly combative in arguing that the war was not futile * Prospect *
Mixing pragmatism with sardonic observation . . .
one is left with a better understanding of how the Great Britain that began the war became more like ordinary Britain, shorn of global power and prestige, by its end * Sunday Times *
Compelling . . . a
moving,
incisive and
wide-ranging study of why a generation felt going to war was not only unavoidable but necessary * Daily Mail *
