At The Sharp End

It is difficult, if not impossible, for most of us to visualize the ghastly horrors that humans can inflict upon each other on the battlefield. But a war becomes an indescribable nightmare for those who live and fight through one. Consequently, the Great War was never forgotten by those who fought in it and survived; and through books such as this one, the rest of us can get a brief glimpse of what they went through. After briefly setting the international scene leading up to the Great War, the author focuses on the Canadians, including initial reactions in Canada, enrollment, organization, equipment, training and fighting. This volume covers the war up until the end of 1916, or more precisely, to the end of the Battles of the Somme; a second volume covers the rest of the war. Although the focus is on the Canadians (the infantry), the author also discusses involvement by other countries, especially British forces. The writing style is clear, authoritative, accessible and very engaging. The detailed accounts given of the soldiers' lives in the infantry and especially in the trenches, and the carnage that they suffered while in battle could hardly be better described; in fact, many passages leave the reader with a heavy heart. This is an excellent book that can be read and appreciated by absolutely anyone.