Verdun 1916 by Malcolm Brown

[StAubyns]

I know nothing about the battles of Verdun, and whilst browsing in The Works bookshop came across this book " Verdun 1916" by Malcolm Brown, reduced from £16.99 to £3.99.

Is it a good first read on Verdun?

Geoff

[truthergw]

I know nothing about the battles of Verdun, and whilst browsing in The Works bookshop came across this book " Verdun 1916" by Malcolm Brown, reduced from £16.99 to £3.99.

Is it a good first read on Verdun?

Geoff

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

English books on Verdun are not plentiful. I reckon for four quid it's got to be worth a chance. It is available on Amcomuk where it is compared unfavourably with Alistair Horne's " The Price of Glory". Have a go and then tell us what it's like.

[Paul Hederer]

English books on Verdun are not plentiful. I reckon for four quid it's got to be worth a chance. It is available on Amcomuk where it is compared unfavourably with Alistair Horne's " The Price of Glory". Have a go and then tell us what it's like.

I would say read "The Price of Glory," which is a much better book.

Paul

[Robert Dunlop]

I agree with Paul. It was a disappointing book. My memory is that Verdun was interpreted as a symbol for the new France - most of the book seemed to describe how France had evolved to this point from catastrophe of the Franco-Prussian War. An interesting topic but not much detail about Verdun itself. And the value of the rest of the book was masked by a turgid writing style.

The Osprey book of Verdun gives a reasonable overview and limited details of some individual battles.

Robert

[Fred van Woerkom]

I would agree with Paul. Alistair Horne's book is a classic. Well-written by someone who has a thorough knowledge of French history, consdiering his other books TO LOSE A BATTLE (

[Fred van Woerkom]

Sorry for the 'double bill'.

Alistaire Horne's book is a classic, well-written and with a sense of humour. Horne has a thorough knowledge of French history. See also TO LOSE A BATTLE (on 1940), THE TERRIBLE YEAR (1870-1871) and his book on the colonial war(s) of last century.

I would also recommend Colette'EARTHLY PARADISE' (Penguin edtion) for a woman's point of view when thie writer was in or near Verdun in 1915 for the couleur locale.

For those who read German, German Werth's VERDUN is also a good buy.

Regards,

Fred

[truthergw]

..................

For those who read German, German Werth's VERDUN is also a good buy.

Regards,

Fred

Thanks for the tip Fred. Managed to pick it up on ABEbooks DE.

[paul guthrie]

There is nothing new in Brown's book, a real disappointment, Price of Glory is so well written, no question it's much better.

[StAubyns]

I know nothing of Verdun - but on the front cover -

"Triumphant...a haunting book" Richard Holmes.

"In association with the Imperial War Museum"

For £3.99 I thought it worth the gamble.

It may whet my appetite at least

Geoff

[Paul Hederer]

Sorry for the 'double bill'.

Alistaire Horne's book is a classic, well-written and with a sense of humour. Horne has a thorough knowledge of French history. See also TO LOSE A BATTLE (on 1940), THE TERRIBLE YEAR (1870-1871) and his book on the colonial war(s) of last century.

I would also recommend Colette'EARTHLY PARADISE' (Penguin edtion) for a woman's point of view when thie writer was in or near Verdun in 1915 for the couleur locale.

For those who read German, German Werth's VERDUN is also a good buy.

Regards,

Fred

Fred,

You hit the nail on the head with Werth's Verdun. It's an outstanding read, and begs for a translation.

I had some contact with groups about funding a translation, but the discussions really got nowhere. I finished a chapter, then set the project aside.

Paul