An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

90. The Western Front

August 26, 2021

Description

The slaughter and bloodshed on the Western Front in World War One helped shape the narrative of the 20th century. But was it a case of lions led by donkeys? Gary Sheffield, historian and author of...
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Books Referenced

Forgotten Victory: The First World War, Myths and Realities

Author: Gary Sheffield

Context:

Tom mentions this book at Gary Sheffield's request before starting the podcast discussion, noting they will be talking about 'myths and realities' of the Western Front

Dance of the Furies

Author: Mike Nyberg

Context:

Gary Sheffield recommends this book by his friend, describing Nyberg as 'a very distinguished American historian of the First World War' who argues that hatred wasn't what propelled peoples of Europe into war in August 1914, but developed after war broke out

Storm of Steel

Author: Ernst Jünger

Context:

Mentioned in discussion of soldiers who actually enjoyed the war and the violence, citing Ernst Jünger as an example alongside Hitler

The Donkeys

Author: Alan Clark

Context:

Gary Sheffield criticizes this 1961 book as 'absolutely the worst' on a 'very long list of terrible books about the First World War' that contributed to the negative popular view of WWI generals