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It feels like the author did a huge amount of research, and then just put it in order and published it. There is a great story here. Unfortunately, it is not in this book. There is little "story". I was hoping it would be a good read for my son who is studying WW1, but it just doesn't read well.
The book was, in my opinion, well written and thoroughly researched. Much of it included letters home written by soldiers of both sides, which I found interesting to read.This book, without intending (I don't think), makes the point that politicians and old men declare wars, while it is the young who must fight and die. Most of the soldiers had no qualms with the other side, and some even made friends, as you'll learn through reading.I read this book in only a couple days. It's a fast read, but not the type of book to read in one afternoon.
Three or four years ago there were a number of features on NPR and elsewhere about The Christmas Truce of 1914. One English soldier met his old barber among the German soldiers in the other trenches, and even got a haircut from him on the battlefield. That has been going on through the centuries.
I wondered what more could be added in a full book. This book explains how and why enemies can share time together in friendly pursuits. The story is amazing and simple at the same time.
In the Battle of Chattanooga during the US Civil War opposing soldiers sometimes crossed the Tennessee River for card games and dances together. The author fleshes out the story with lots of detail added from many sources. While the story is amazing, I found the book to be a broader study of fraternization between opposing soldiers.
I had always wondered about the language barrier in The Christmas Truce, but many of the German soldiers had worked in London as waiters and had learned English. The book is very interesting to read and worth the time, although, I found the "What if." chapter not that useful.
On Christmas day our Pastor included parts of this book in his sermon.He did not have all the facts, so as a present we sent him this book.He wrote us a kind thank you note stating how much he enjoyed the book.Food for thought.thanks
I saw a thing on the history channel, and it was breif, and at the end so I didn't get the whole story, so I hope this books helps.
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