The Great War : A Photographic Narrative

'By combining marvelous photography with a masterful blend of technical and military history, the authors have created a book that conflates the emotional reactions elicited by the imagery with the thoughtfulness of well-written history'. - New York Journal of Books

A beautiful coffee table book featuring a marvellous collection of photography from the archives of the Imperial War Museum recording every aspect of the Great War

The book includes many never seen before photographs and capture shots from every theatre British troops served.

In addition to the expected shots of the carnage and destruction wrought by four years of trench warfare on the Western Front, there were many photos showing the more mundane aspects of a soldier’s life, including some poignant pictures of troops’ efforts to add a homey touch to the bunkers and dugouts where many of them served for months or years. 

The authors tie both historical and journalistic aspects together in a wonderful timeline at the beginning of each chapter, outlining mass media, photography, and world events. This tabular comparison shows not only how photography matured, but also the new challenges faced by governments confronting the power of photographs for propaganda.

A truly wonderful book if you are interested in military history.

Details

• Authors: Mark Holborn and Hilary Roberts
• Hardcover: 504 pages | 380 images
• Date published: October 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-0224096553
• Product Dimensions: 29.6 x 29.6 cm

Reviews

'I have never seen or read anything that brings the First World War quite so vividly alive' - Guardian 

'Does [it] count as a book of the year? It's certainly my meticulously illustrated panorama of the year.' - Observer 

'Monumental'  - Sunday Telegraph 

'By combining marvelous photography with a masterful blend of technical and military history, the authors have created a book that conflates the emotional reactions elicited by the imagery with the thoughtfulness of well-written history'. - New York Journal of Books

'Sampling this later photographic narrative, published ahead of next year's First World War centenary, left this reader feeling like Tommy Atkins after one of the Great Wa'’s artillery barrages: shell-shocked' -  Independent