Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by lavanda4
Abandoned Places of World War I by Neil Faulkner
5.0
Abandoned Places of World War I provides a poignant, evocative and compelling glimpse into the tunnels, bunkers, fortresses and trenches built before and during the Great War. Some are (partial) reconstructions which can be visited. The chapters are divided into regions with photographic and written details including barbed wire, iron crosses, railroads, carvings, graffiti and lookouts. The reader is taken into the sites and shown personal etchings, writings and sometimes skeletal remains of those who fought each other, famine, disease and cold. Grim would not even begin to describe life then, especially as the battles were often senseless and contributed nothing but misery for hundreds of millions.
This book details fierce battles fought in Belgium, France, Italy, UK, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey, Israel and others by many nationalities including Canadians and New Zealanders from thousands of kilometers away. Natural defenses including remote mountain passes were utilized, such as the Dolomites. Fortresses built earlier in North America were re-purposed during WWI.
Reading statistics is simultaneously fascinating and sobering. I learned that more than two thirds of the casualties of WWI died by artillery. Knowledge of industrialized weaponry increased as the war raged. I've been reading a lot about the Schlieffen Plan which is mentioned here. Comparing and contrasting British and German bunkers is interesting. The entire book is!
On our travels, my husband and I seek out and war bunkers, tunnels and fortresses to photograph and explore if possible. They are often situated incongruously in great natural beauty which seems so far removed from the horrors of the past. The photographs here are truly stunning and moving and grabbed me immediately. I am grateful that important places such as those described are preserved.
History readers ought to immerse themselves in this haunting book.
My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this remarkably thought-provoking book.
This book details fierce battles fought in Belgium, France, Italy, UK, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey, Israel and others by many nationalities including Canadians and New Zealanders from thousands of kilometers away. Natural defenses including remote mountain passes were utilized, such as the Dolomites. Fortresses built earlier in North America were re-purposed during WWI.
Reading statistics is simultaneously fascinating and sobering. I learned that more than two thirds of the casualties of WWI died by artillery. Knowledge of industrialized weaponry increased as the war raged. I've been reading a lot about the Schlieffen Plan which is mentioned here. Comparing and contrasting British and German bunkers is interesting. The entire book is!
On our travels, my husband and I seek out and war bunkers, tunnels and fortresses to photograph and explore if possible. They are often situated incongruously in great natural beauty which seems so far removed from the horrors of the past. The photographs here are truly stunning and moving and grabbed me immediately. I am grateful that important places such as those described are preserved.
History readers ought to immerse themselves in this haunting book.
My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this remarkably thought-provoking book.