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Life Class by Pat Baker
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Books on medical care
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Friday, 8:26 AM EST by
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Thread started: Friday, 8:23 AM EST
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Some historians have the idea that literature is of no value to them, because it is ‘not real’. I wholeheartedly disagree. It is real, it is just another kind of reality, a reality not of fact but of insight. And this goes not only for literature written in the times of the historical event itself, but also on modern literature, looking back upon days long past. When we are talking about medicine and World War I one of the first names coming into mind is of course Pat Baker. After, with The Ghost Road, she said goodbye to the Regeneration-trilogy about ten years ago, she has returned to 1914-1918 and medical care with her book Life Class. But this immediately is just about the only similarity with the trilogy. This time no psychiatry and no base hospital for upper class officers somewhere in Scotland, but the blood, the sweat and the tears of clearing stations near the Belgian front, including the death of doctors and nurses. Also this time no leading role for historical figures such as Owen or Sassoon. The two historical figures the story introduces – painter and doctor Henry Tonks and pacifist and feminist Ottoline Morell – only play a minor role.
One of the nurses listens to the name Paul Tarrant. Before the war he was part of Tonks’ painting class, making him paint for instance female nudes in the ‘life class’. With one of the models, Teresa, he starts an affair, but his one true love is his colleague in arts, the highly talented student Elinor. When Teresa leaves him to return to her husband – in spite of the fact she had left him because of his violent aggressiveness – soon Paul and Elinor come together. This leads to lots of sadness and anger in Kit, a painter of good fortune in contrast to Paul, who had proposed to Elinor in vain.
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RE: Life Class by Pat Baker
By: ,
Friday, 8:26 AM EST
Elinor stays in England and refuses to change anything in her way of life. Painting was the only thing she did before the war and she saw no reason whatsoever to change that attitude nor doe she want to make a change in the subjects she wants to paint. Art comes from within. Art has to do with subjects the artist thinks are important and therefore not with subjects forced upon the artist by circumstances he or she has nothing to do with and can do nothing about, as was clearly the case with the war. Without war none of them would have painted explosions, ruins of disfigured faces and bodies and therefore she would not do so although a war was going on. Her subjests were live, love and beauty and these would remain to be her subjects; probably in days of war, in days of omnipresent external and internal ugliness, even more than ever.
With this attitude she by the way distanced herself from her teacher Tonks. being a former physician he was asked by Harold Gillies to paint the disfigured soldiers coming to his Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup, hoping his paintings could contribute to heightening the chance of success of necessary plastic surgeries. This however is not part of the book, as there are more loose threads. For instance the role of Teresa and her forcible husband stay unclear as well. And maybe this at last is one other resemblance with Regeneration. Maybe somewhere in the future Life Class could be known as ‘part one of the Life Class-trilogy’.
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Joerookery |
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Introduction and Handbook of Imperial Germany
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Great War Books and Reviews
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Wednesday, 5:08 AM EST by
Joerookery |
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Thread started: Wednesday, 5:08 AM EST
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Hi,
We are members from San Antonio Texas. And unfortunately while we cannot join you this month for your seminar we are pleased to announce the completion of our latest book on "Handbook of Imperial Germany ". This has been met with a lot of very kind words, saying that this book had been needed for decades. I would be glad to send you a copy of the "plug "if you fill out the contact information on my website www.pickelhauben.net
I am not sure how to edit pictures etc. on this. Otherwise I would post the table of contents and sample pages. I expected to be reviewed this month by both the British and American WFA.
At 333 pages with 183 pictures and over 670 footnotes, this is an attempt to explain the intricacies of how the country worked -- militarily, politically, and socially.
“I must say the 'Handbook' is a pretty impressive piece of work and one that has been long needed. Its approach - background, politics and then the army - works well. I thought I had a bit of a handle on 'the German Army' - I know now that this is an inaccurate title - and I now know how poor a handle I had. Full of fascinating and important facts and detail. No index sadly - big mistake. My copy, ordered Wednesday, arrived Friday. Hard, actually impossible, not to recommend the book highly. I am hoping to do a review for Stand To, something I only rarely do for books I have actually paid for!!”
You can find the book on eBay. Just search the title or from the publisher for $25
http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=60521
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Treating the Trauma of the Great War
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Books on medical care
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Tuesday, 7:21 AM EST by
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Thread started: Tuesday, 7:21 AM EST
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Daer all,
I am a medical historian from Amsterdam , mainly interseted in the relationship between war and medicine. Amongst others this resulted in a medical history on WWI called: Before my Helpless Sight. Suffering, dying and military medicine on the Western Front 1914-1918 (Ashgate Publishing 2009). For reviews see: http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/helpless-sight/index.html or: http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/book-reviews/91-general-interest/966-before-my-helpless-sight.html
I shall (and of course you can) every once in a while put some info on a book on medical care in WWI on this page. First one:
Gregory M. Thomas, Treating the Trauma of the Great War. Soldeirs, civilians and psychiatry in France 1914-1940 (Louisiana State University Press 2009)
Great book on the way WWI influenced thinking and diagnosing and treatment of psychologically disturbed people, soldiers as well as civilians, and on how and why after the war pensions were (or beter: were not) issued to soldiers who had not been able to cope with the horrors of war.
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Meuse-Argonne Offensive
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Soldier's Mail: Letters Home 1916-1919
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Oct 3 2009, 8:47 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Oct 3 2009, 8:47 PM EDT
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The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began in late September, 1918 and was both the largest American battle and greatest AEF military victory of the Great War. The 26th Division entered the action in early October and remained on the line under fire through the sudden cessation of hostilities on November 11. Sam Avery has just rejoined his company with Hdq. Co. and the final push begins. Read Soldier's Mail for more...
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Favorite WWI Films
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Great War Films
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Oct 3 2009, 3:29 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Oct 3 2009, 3:29 PM EDT
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The most recent theatrical release I have enjoyed was "Flyboys" which if nothing else did capture the gallantry of the American volunteers in the Lafayette Escadrille prior to formal American involvement in the war. "Anzacs" is a classic. Another which was made-for-TV was "The Lost Battalion" which isn't bad either. I'm willing to forgive alot in movies regarding WWI as long as they treat the subject pretty well. I would like to see "Passchendaele" which was a Canadian theatrical release a year or so ago. Unfortunately it came and went as fast as a trench raid.
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Memorial to Scotty
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Twenty-Sixth "Yankee" Division AEF
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Oct 2 2009, 1:08 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Oct 2 2009, 1:08 PM EDT
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Hi Rich,
The memorial plaque to "Scotty" is located in St. Joseph's Cemetary in Newton, MA. Somewhere in the various books about the 26th (perhaps Ford, or Sibley) there is mention of Scotty's service. No time to dig back thru the text to find it, but I may stuble across it again. It's an interesting story of a young boy who signed up but was underage. I recall reading somewhere that he died from MG fire during St. Miheil battle, but not 100% sure.
Good luck with your book. I owe you some feedback, I know...
Shawn in Seekonk, MA
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meyati |
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Does anybody know anything about Hew Strachan?
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Great War Books and Reviews
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Oct 2 2009, 10:58 AM EDT by
JOELNORMAN |
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Thread started: Jun 28 2009, 6:44 PM EDT
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I'm curious about Hew Strachan since I've been watching the specials on WW I on the Military Channel. It's based on his books and he's listed as the main writer. It has letters, photos and interviews from soldiers and civilians on all sides-Turks, Serbians, French, Scots, Russians, Prussians, Welch, English in general, Belgians, Germans in general. The footage of the Italian Front in the Alps is stupendous. Who would have thought that there is so much video footage of WW I in existance? Like the Serbian retreat/exile is a re-creation from a movie the Serbs made during the 1920s or 30s, so the sources are labeled fairly clear.
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RE: Does anybody know anything about Hew Strachan?
By: JOELNORMAN,
Oct 2 2009, 10:58 AM EDT
I HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT HE WAS DOING A 3 VOLUME HISTORY OF WW-1 AND THAT VOLUME 1 WAS ALREADY OUT......AND YES IVE SEEN THE WW-1 BBC ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL AS WELL AS THE MILITARY CHANNEL....
JOEL NORMAN
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World War I Speaker
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Western Front Association East Coast Chapter
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Sep 27 2009, 9:52 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Jan 29 2009, 8:24 PM EST
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I am a member of the Military History Club of the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. At our monthly noon time meetings we have a speaker give about a 45 minute talk about a military history topic. This month our leader mentioned that we have never had anyone talk about World War I. Are there any members in the St. Louis area who are willing and able to talk on a WWI related topic to our Club? If so, please contact me at JMGallen@juno.com
Thanks!
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RE: World War I Speaker
By: ,
Sep 27 2009, 9:52 PM EDT
I want to thank those who helped. We now have a speaker who is a member of the Western Front Association.
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St. Mihiel Offensive
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Soldier's Mail: Letters Home 1916-1919
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Sep 5 2009, 9:00 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Sep 5 2009, 9:00 PM EDT
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The St. Mihiel Offensive began in early September, 1918 and involved a successful American push against German forces which was the beginning of the end of the Great War. Visit Soldier's Mail to read about the exploits of the 103rd Infantry as part of this offensive.
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Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining?
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Western Front Association East Coast Chapter
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Sep 5 2009, 1:03 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Nov 15 2008, 10:01 AM EST
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An article recently appeared in a British media outlet (The Independent; http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-killing-fields-of-the-first-world-war-979730.html) that describes how more British people visit the battlefields now than ever before. It is a good read.
In the article there is a thought provoking quote by Martin Middlebrook: "After the 80th anniversary [of the Somme] in 1996, I would have told you that two things were inevitable. We will see declining numbers of people at future commemorations. Interest in the war will gradually reduce. The opposite has been true."
As we begin to approach the 100th anniversary of 1914, can we expect to see a similar phenomenon in the US? Or will our distance from the battlefields and our “lesser” experience” to that of the British dampen American interest in the Great War?
Thoughts anyone?
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RE: Interest in WWI - Growing or Declining? Action Needed
By: ,
Sep 5 2009, 1:03 PM EDT
"We need to do more than hope the centennial will spark a surge of interest in the Great War. A colleague recently reminded me that the American Civil War centennial in the 1960s kindled a resurgence of interest in that conflict that has really never died down. Working with our friends in The Great War Society, WFA members have an opportunity to help rekindle interest in The Great War using as a springboard the upcoming 100th anniversary of that conflict (2014-2018).
I hope we are considering ways to mark that centeniary and increase both public and scholarly interest in the conflict and its impact on our times.
Len Shurtleff " Len, You are right! Interest will only rise if enthusiasts promote it. I have recently taught a one night continuing ed class on Winston Churchill in which I included considerable ocntent on his WWI involvement. On September 30 I will have a similar class on Woodrow Wilson. My long term goal, to start in 1914, is to offer courses on each year, looking back to what happened in 1914, 1915, etc. I am starting a trial run of 70 years back to WWII next month. I will be trying to capitalize on rising interest and use the class to increase awareness. I am still looking for a speaker in the St. Louis area who can and will talk to the Military History Club at the Missouri Athletic Club. Any help?
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JeffreyLaMonica |
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Fire control systems and safety precautions.
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The Battle of Jutland
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Sep 3 2009, 9:11 AM EDT by
JeffreyLaMonica |
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Thread started: Apr 7 2008, 8:52 PM EDT
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I heard that the Pollen fire control system contributed to British success at Jutland, while their failure to observe safety precautions when transporting shells and charges from below decks caused problems for the British. Anyone know more about this? What was the Pollen fire control system anyway?
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jbeigie |
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New computer wargame on the Battle of Jutland.
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The Battle of Jutland
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Sep 2 2009, 9:40 PM EDT by
jbeigie |
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Thread started: Sep 2 2009, 9:40 PM EDT
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http://www.stormeaglestudios.com/public/html/se_Jutland_v2.html
Storm Eagle Studios has a new computer game on the Battle of Jutland. Game is designed by Norm Kroger who has done a number of computer games that I can personally say do a good job of finding the balance between playability and accuracy.
I've downloaded the free demo for Jutland and plan on playing it soon.
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Digging up the Trenches
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Great War Documentaries
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Sep 2 2009, 9:36 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Sep 2 2009, 9:36 PM EDT
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The military history channel is showing a 2007 documentary on an archeology dig on the allied and german trench segment from the Ypres section of the front. It will show again sat 9/5 at 1300.
A very interesting mix of history and archeology.
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26th & 77th Underperformed?
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Books on the AEF
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Aug 29 2009, 4:23 PM EDT by
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Thread started: May 24 2008, 8:05 PM EDT
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Strange choices for comparison the 26th:
saw 193 days in the line (148 Quiet/45 active 2nd Overall in the AEF)
advanced 34 kilometers (8th overall in the AEF)
Suffered 13,460 men killed and wounded (6th overall)
Captured 3,148 Germans (6th overall)
77th:
saw 113 days of combat (47 Quiet/66 active 5th Overall)
Advanced 71.5 Kilometers (1st Overall in the AEF)
Suffered 10,497 killed and wounded (9th overall)
Captured 750 Germans (22nd overall)
I'm not trying to take away from the 1st or 2nd, nor am I trying to question the author's conclusions, but there were certainly other National Guard and National Army units who performed much worse than the 26th or 77th.
Just for the record, I have no relatives who served with either the 26th or 77th!
Best regards,
Neil
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RE: 26th & 77th Underperformed?
By: ,
Aug 29 2009, 4:23 PM EDT
The magnitude of the artillery bombardments experienced by the 26th while in "Quiet" sectors is really beyond belief. Check out the pages on Soldier's Mail which describe the numbers of shells taken during specific periods of time.
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26th Division Discussions
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Twenty-Sixth "Yankee" Division AEF
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Aug 22 2009, 12:42 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Jul 16 2008, 1:04 PM EDT
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Anyone interested in discussing topics specific to the 26th Yankee Division? I'm new to this site, an amature unaffiliated WW1 history buff hopelessy fixated on the 26th Division. Lots to share, always lots to discover. I'll start with a question - has anyone ever connected the story of "Scotty" of WW1 fame to a brass plaque on a boulder in Massachusetts?
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RE: 26th Division Discussions
By: ,
Aug 22 2009, 12:42 PM EDT
I love discussing topics on the "Yankee Division." I am editor of a site where the writings home of Sgt. Sam Avery are posted on the same date they were written more than 90 years ago. Come march along with Sam from the hot sands along the Rio Grande to the cold mud along the Meuse!
http://worldwar1letters.wordpress.com
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Fall WWI History Seminar - Save the Date
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Western Front Association East Coast Chapter
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Aug 16 2009, 7:19 AM EDT by
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Thread started: Aug 16 2009, 7:19 AM EDT
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The WFA East Coast Chapter will hold its Fall 2009 Seminar on Saturday November 7 at the Maryland War Memorial Building in Baltimore. Presentations will include The Battle of Antwerp, The German 42cm howitzer, and New Jersey Aviators over the Italian and Western Fronts. More speakers will be added over the coming weeks. The seminar will also include displays, door prizes, and a chapter sponsored WWI used book sale.
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Winston Churchill
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Western Front Association East Coast Chapter
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Jul 12 2009, 5:16 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Apr 1 2009, 9:03 PM EDT
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On April 15 I will be teaching a continuing education class on Winston Churchill. Does anyone have any suggestions of ideas to include about him, particularly about his WWI involvement?
Jim Gallen
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RE: Winston Churchill
By: ,
Jul 12 2009, 5:16 PM EDT
Don't forget to include material from Churchill's own "The World in Crisis". For some material critical of Churchill, look at Pat Buchanan's "The Unnecessary War".
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World War 1 Music
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Music of the Great War
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Jul 4 2009, 2:40 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Jul 4 2009, 12:52 PM EDT
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In Ypres, I purchased a 2 CD set titled "Far, Far From Ypres" which has music, poetry and songs from le grand Guerre. It is a 2008 release from Greentrax Recording Ltd. It will make you weep. The website is www.greentrax.com; e mail: greentrax@aol.com.
Patricia Cockrell Wood
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James Reece Europe and the 369th Harlem Hell Fighters Regimental Band
By: ,
Jul 4 2009, 2:40 PM EDT
You may purchase a CD from Memphis Archives, Box 171282, Memphis, TN 38187.
Europe, before becoming a Lieutenant commanding a machinegun company in the 369th, was band leader and arranger for the dancing team of Vernon and Irene Castle, the Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers of the early 1900s. Europe led successful dance bands for many years working out of New York City with such noted jazz musicians and Noble Sissle and Eube Blake. His Harlem Hell Fighters Band played ragtime and was considered the finest regimental bank in the AEF.
Len Shurtleff
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Military Channel-WW I
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Great War Documentaries
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Jun 28 2009, 6:29 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Jun 28 2009, 6:29 PM EDT
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The military channel has been having a really good series on WW I. It has rare footage of WW I. Did you know that 88 German generals died on the front? That Petain rotated French units at Verdun, so that army groups would survive, instead of being completely wiped out?
I'm sorry that I didn't post this sooner-but we had a family emergency and my computer is malfunctioning. The external storage unit caused some problems-like the computer not being able to start. Obviously, sometimes the computer starts but watch the military channel or go online and do a search for WW I. It's amazing-one American commander ordered an attack on a French town hours before the known cease fire-so he could take a bath for the cease fire. For those who don't care for my interest in Serbia-it has several documentaries on how fighting in Serbia directly affected the Western Front in 1915 and 1916.
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Medical Corps question on Forest M Hann
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Great War Relatives and Ancestors
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Jun 6 2009, 2:36 PM EDT by
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Thread started: Jun 6 2009, 2:36 PM EDT
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Frank Buckles, our oldest/only living veteran of W W 1 was sent over in December 1917 as part of an ambulance corps. His story and records might help find the medical corps in question. For details see the spring issue of Relevance published by GWS
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