Looking for book recommendations

razark · 09-04-14, 06:23 PM

Seeing that I have a standard high school history class understanding of WWI (pretty much nil), I'd like to find a good book that covers the First World War.

I'm not looking for in-depth coverage, a look at the causes, or a focus on a specific portion of the war. I'd like to find something that covers the events of the war, in all areas, on land and at sea. Does anyone know of anything that would fit?

Sailor Steve · 09-04-14, 06:40 PM

There are literally thousands of books available on the war. The only single-volume history I currently own is The First World War, by Martin Gilbert. It is unfortunately based on a combination of causes and events.

It all you're looking for is events you might try World War I Day by Day, by Ian Westwell. It also includes some overview of the causes, but it's easy to read, being only 190 pages. The bad news is that he doesn't cover every event, just the main ones.

As I've said earlier, one of my favorites is The Historical Atlas of World War I. It includes a lot more than just maps, and is very informative.

The bottom line is you're not going to find a single book that covers everything. If you google World War I History you'll find a wealth of websites to pick and choose from. That way you'll get an excellent overview of just about everything, and from there you'll be able to springboard to individual pages giving the events with as much, or as little detail as you want.

Or you can be patient and read the '100 Years' thread as it unfolds. Several people seem to be competing to be the first with the most, and what gets missed by one pretty much always gets covered by another.

razark · 09-04-14, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

The only single-volume history I currently own is The First World War, by Martin Gilbert. It is unfortunately based on a combination of causes and events.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to learning the causes, I'm just not looking to learn about them now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It all you're looking for is events you might try World War I Day by Day, by Ian Westwell. It also includes some overview of the causes, but it's easy to read, being only 190 pages. The bad news is that he doesn't cover every event, just the main ones.

This one sounds like it might be good to start with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

As I've said earlier, one of my favorites is The Historical Atlas of World War I. It includes a lot more than just maps, and is very informative.

Might have to look for this one. I like having maps to keep track of things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

If you google World War I History you'll find a wealth of websites to pick and choose from.

That's probably a good idea, but I spend my day staring at a screen and sometimes I just like to get away from it. Besides, a book is portable and my computer is not. The 100 Years thread is also a good idea, but it's going to take four years to finish.

Thank you for the suggestions. It's probably enough to get started. What I'm really trying to do right now is get a high-level view of things. I don't have a mental framework built up to fit details into yet. I need to get a grasp of the chronology and general course of events to build that framework and then start tracking down more details.

Sailor Steve · 09-05-14, 02:46 AM

This probably seems a little odd after what you said about staring at screens, but it's probably as quick and easy an overview of what was going on as you'll find. Though it says it's for naval events it covers every front, and is organized by week for easy reference.
http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book..._1914-1915.htm

Jimbuna · 09-05-14, 05:40 AM

This book is quite comprehensive but excellent for quick updates on events:

A Military Atlas of the First World War

Quote:

This is a unique study of the conflict of 1914-18 on land, sea and in the air, through maps, diagrams and illustrations. Within the scope of some 250 maps, Arthur Banks has presented both broad general surveys of political and military strategy, and the most closely researched details of major individual campaigns and engagements. These are supplemented by comprehensive analysis of military strengths and command structures and illustrations.

http://www.amazon.com/Military-Atlas...s=atlas+of+wwi

09-04-14, 06:23 PM	#1
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	Looking for book recommendations Seeing that I have a standard high school history class understanding of WWI (pretty much nil), I'd like to find a good book that covers the First World War. I'm not looking for in-depth coverage, a look at the causes, or a focus on a specific portion of the war. I'd like to find something that covers the events of the war, in all areas, on land and at sea. Does anyone know of anything that would fit? __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"

09-04-14, 06:40 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	There are literally thousands of books available on the war. The only single-volume history I currently own is The First World War, by Martin Gilbert. It is unfortunately based on a combination of causes and events. It all you're looking for is events you might try World War I Day by Day, by Ian Westwell. It also includes some overview of the causes, but it's easy to read, being only 190 pages. The bad news is that he doesn't cover every event, just the main ones. As I've said earlier, one of my favorites is The Historical Atlas of World War I. It includes a lot more than just maps, and is very informative. The bottom line is you're not going to find a single book that covers everything. If you google World War I History you'll find a wealth of websites to pick and choose from. That way you'll get an excellent overview of just about everything, and from there you'll be able to springboard to individual pages giving the events with as much, or as little detail as you want. Or you can be patient and read the '100 Years' thread as it unfolds. Several people seem to be competing to be the first with the most, and what gets missed by one pretty much always gets covered by another. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

09-05-14, 02:46 AM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	This probably seems a little odd after what you said about staring at screens, but it's probably as quick and easy an overview of what was going on as you'll find. Though it says it's for naval events it covers every front, and is organized by week for easy reference. http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book..._1914-1915.htm __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo