One problem with battle histories is that writers tend to overstate the horror and the gore. Martin Middlebrook did not face this temptation in 'The First Day on the Somme.' It could hardly be overstated.



This book was written in 1969-71, when Middlebrook was able to interview about 200 veterans of the battle. He follows the paths of 10 of them -- all Britons -- whose experiences were, even for that bloody day, extraordinary. He frankly ignores the French part of the assault, and quotes sparingly from the German defenders.



Fair enough. This is British history written for Britons, and, in 1971, still a vivid social and even political memory in the U.K. For my taste, he is far too lenient on the generals. The famous postwar description of the British Army -- 'lions led by donkeys' -- was cruel but entirely just.

Middlebrook does not mention it.



He is somewhat tougher on the politicians in London, though they get little attention.



Reading 'First Day' now, 90 years afterward, inspires other reflections: how deep class and religious divisions were in Britain, and how damaging.



Class affected how much a boy ate. The British fielded a 'Bantam Division' of men all under 5-foot-3. They fought well, to defend a society that didn't think they deserved to eat regularly.



In 1916 (and for a generation after), most people could not drive automobiles, or were unable to master the art if they tried. The technology was too unfamiliar to people who grew up with horses. It was a blunder with the darkest consequences to fight a mechanized war with leaders from the Horse Age.

One problem with battle histories is that writers tend to overstate the horror and the gore. Martin Middlebrook did not face this temptation in 'The First Day on the Somme.' It could hardly be overstated.

This book was written in 1969-71, when Middlebrook was able to interview about 200 veterans of the battle. He follows the paths of 10 of them -- all Britons -- whose experiences were, even for that bloody day, extraordinary. He frankly ignores the French part of the assault, and quotes sparingly from the German defenders.

Fair enough. This is British history written for Britons, and, in 1971, still a vivid social and even political memory in the U.K. For my taste, he is far too lenient on the generals. The famous postwar description of the British Army -- 'lions led by donkeys' -- was cruel but entirely just.
Middlebrook does not mention it.

He is somewhat tougher on the politicians in London, though they get little attention.

Reading 'First Day' now, 90 years afterward, inspires other reflections: how deep class and religious divisions were in Britain, and how damaging.

Class affected how much a boy ate. The British fielded a 'Bantam Division' of men all under 5-foot-3. They fought well, to defend a society that didn't think they deserved to eat regularly.

In 1916 (and for a generation after), most people could not drive automobiles, or were unable to master the art if they tried. The technology was too unfamiliar to people who grew up with horses. It was a blunder with the darkest consequences to fight a mechanized war with leaders from the Horse Age.