The Imperial War Museum Book of Somme

by Malcolm Brown

Book Overview

First published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of action in the Somme, this book draws on first-hand source material from the archives of the Imperial War Museum. The author describes the background, the battles, the action and the aftermath of fighting in the area of the Somme in 1916.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0330352202
• ISBN13: 9780330352208
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Pan Publishing
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Account of the Somme

I recently purchased this author's latest book: `The Imperial War Museum Book of 1918: Year of Victory' and was prompted to do so because I enjoyed his book on the Somme. I first read this book when it was released in hardback some years ago and I am somewhat surprised that it has not received any reviews of yet.I have a passionate interest in books covering the Western Front during the Great War. I found this book to be a well researched and presented account of this terrible battle. Having read quite a few books on this battle I have no hesitation it placing it along side such great books as Lyn MacDonald's `Somme' and Martin Middlebrook's `The First Day on the Somme'. Malcolm Brown has utilised numerous first hand accounts from diaries, reports, newspapers and interviews and uses these in a manner that brings life to this terrible battle. Somewhat similar in style to Lyn MacDonald and just as good, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The author tells the battle through the experiences of the ordinary (I should say extraordinary) soldier; British, Australian, Canadian, German and the many others who fought during this terrible carnage. The narrative flows along smoothly and the personal accounts of the soldiers seem to blend in effortlessly. Malcolm Brown has used the resources of the Imperial War Museum to present a detailed and accurate story of the Somme which I am sure that most people would enjoy and find rewarding. If you can no longer find a copy of Lyn MacDonald's `Somme' or Martin Middlebrook's `The First Day on the Somme' grab this book instead, you won't be disappointed!Of interest to other readers this book was recently hailed as "a valuable addition to First World War literature".