This striking account of the Battle of Vimy Ridge gets right into the guts of the battle from the outset; with no room to manoeuvre. Just what is needed. It is a battle perhaps so often mentioned in the history books but often misunderstood. It is easy to get cynical about the emphasis put on the Battle of Vimy Ridge in so far as it was in fact part of the wider Battle of Arras. My own interest is, for example, on the 51st Highland Division who were just further to the south. However, this book dispelled all of my concern given the overall description of the Canadian experience of this element of the battle. These men were to prove themselves and - as encapsulated in the spirit of this book - the nationhood of Canada was firmly born within this battle.

For anyone passionate about the First World War, or indeed History generally, there are various types of books that meet your needs. On the one hand, you have detailed, informative academic histories, that give you a second to none comprehensive account of an event or period in the past. On the other, you get a book that gives you an account of events that suck you in, living every moment and bringing the event to life for you. Then, sometimes also, you come across a book that does both. This book comes into this category well.

Jon Sandison

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Great War July 2019

First published in 1986, this paperback reprint of Pierre Berton's excellent book is most welcome. The author's well written and authoritative account places the action firmly within the context of the Battle of Arras, of which this attack formed a part. Narrowly pipped as my Editor's Choice for this issue.

The Great War Magazine

The remarkable story of four divisions of the Canadian Corps in France who seized and held the Western Front's best-defended German bastion – the muddy scarp of Vimy Ridge.

Military History Monthly

In this classic account of the offensive the author examines the results of when all four Canadian divisions, made up of troops drwan from all parts of the country, fought as a cohesive formation for the first time.

Britain at War

The author has succeeded in his objective of telling not just the history of the assault on Vimy Ridge, but also how it felt to the men who were there. He has linked many personal accounts and anecdotes to give great depth to the story. It is a Canadian book and focuses on the actions of the Canadian Corps and is a little lightweight on the events concerning ‘British’ Divisions that also fought at Vimy but let that not detract from a well-balanced narrative of the role of the Canadian Corps. Vimy remains a place that always conditions an emotional response and should form part of any visit to the Western Front today.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy