This is a very awkward review to write. I've spent the better part of
the last ten years turning myself into a historian, see, and so I feel
like I should be speaking as an expert, analyzing this book of popular
history, pointing out what's right and wrong, speaking from my so-called
vast knowledge on the value of a book about Ypres written by the author
of Forrest Gump.
The thing is, I don't know a damned
thing about military history. I mean, I know the basics of the War of
1812 and Canada's participation in the World Wars, but man, that is it.
So
really, I have no idea how accurate this is, or what more seasoned
military historians would say. I have no gauge. (Well, his one
pronouncement on the area I do know cold is utterly wrong, but then
again, it's something the vast majority of people get utterly wrong,
including historians.)
And my opinion as something very close to a
layperson? It's all right. I didn't love it, but it was accessible,
easy to read, and he incorporated some soldier narratives in interesting
ways. This isn't a riveting book, as far as I'm concerned. (But then,
I'm biased - there's a reason I generally stay away from military
history.)
The descriptions of trench warfare, however, are vivid
and stark, and he does a good job of capturing the long days and weeks
and months with very little progress made. While Groom covers the
decisions being made by the generals and politicians, he frames them in
terms of the impact on the men who had to carry them out.
So,
should I recommend this book to others? I'm not sure. But if you're
interested in military history, it might be worth a read. Then again,
military historians might come along and remind me I'm talking out my
ass. And I am.
No comments:
Post a Comment