The Great War Handbook

Book excerpt: A guide to daily life and experiences for British servicemen in World War I, from recruitment and training to the battle and its aftermath. Geoff Bridger’s Great War Handbook answers many of the basic questions newcomers ask when confronted by this enormous and challenging subject of World War One—not only what happened and why, but what was the Great War like for ordinary soldiers who were caught up in it. He describes the conditions the soldiers endured, the deadly risks they ran, their daily routines and the small roles they played in the complex military machine they were part of. His comprehensive survey of every aspect of the soldier’s life, from recruitment and training, through the experience of battle and its appalling aftermath, is an essential guide for students, family historians, teachers and anyone who is eager to gain an all-round understanding of the nature of the conflict. Praise for The Great War Handbook “The book contains a wealth of information on a diverse range of topics within its 200 pages. The Great War Handbook does an excellent job of bringing together concise explanations of a number of key areas. It always amazes me just how much there is to learn about the war, and novice and seasoned researchers alike will find something of interest here, and I know it is a book I will continue to refer to in the future.” —Firetrench Reviews