The Great War Illustrated - The Home Front (Paperback)
Deepening Conflict
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: The Great War Illustrated
Pages: 152
Illustrations: 500
ISBN: 9781473833715
Published: 4th February 2016
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Many books have looked at the effect of the war on the Home Front, but this is the first book to take a glimpse at the Home Front photographically from an international point of view, covering both Allied and enemy countries, juxtaposing the same situations in different countries to show a similar response.
This second volume chronicles the changes brought on by just a few months of war: spies, increased casualties, food shortages, changes in work patterns, the shortage of men in the work force, women at work and at the end of the year the slow rush in Britain to volunteer for the army, hoping to not be called for service. It also looks at the Home Front for those caught behind enemy lines where life was both spartan, potentially dangerous and subject to the whim of the victor. The photographs, many of which have not been seen before and some which have never been published, clearly show that each year of war had a further profound effect on each nation. This unique series of international photographic books fits in with the author's more textual books on the Home Front: Hull in the Great War and Reading in the Great War, both of which explore the complex life of a city at war.
Overall, it is difficult to criticise this book as it is distinctly placed in the market the author is probably aiming for, namely general readers with an interest in a pictorial history of the Great War. The author achieves his aim of covering the main themes relating to the deepening conflict during 1915 through the use of photographs and the book is certainly a very worthwhile addition to the series.
The Western Front Association, Heathcliffe Bowen
Read the full review here.
David Bilton has certainly opened a new perspective on the Great War.
ARRSE - foxtrot40
4 out of 5.
Here's a twist to the usual format of looking photographically at the war on the Home Front, as Bilton assesses the conflict from the point of view of both the Allied and enemy countries.
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine June 2016
This second volume looks at a variety of different situations including spies, food shortages, shortages in the male work force and how women replaced them as part of the war effort.
A picture isn't always worth a thousand words when one requires some detailed historical analysis but, in the case of this particular book, the pictures are very much at the forefront and deservedly so.
Your Family History April 2016
What's also notable about this book is its international focus - it's not just the usual stuff about Britain.
About David Bilton
David Bilton is a retired teacher who spends his time looking after his family, working as a university lecturer and researching the Great War; an interest ignited by his paternal grandfather’s refusal to talk about his experiences at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He is a prolific author whose books includes works on the British and German Army, the Home Front and Great War badges; this is volume three of the badges of the British Army in the Great War. Since he started writing he has contributed to television and radio programmes, appeared on Country File and Look North, and given talks on his work.