The Road to Verdun, France, Nationalism and the First World War - Ian Ousby

Synopsis: Verdun was the largest, the longest and the bloodiest battle between the French and Germans in the First World War, lasting from February 1916 until the end of the year and claiming more then 700,000 casualties. For the French in particular, it was always more than just a battle, being rather (in Paul Valery's words) 'a complete war in itself, inserted in the Great War'. Ian Ousby's masterly book gives a dramatic and brilliantly illuminating account of the generals' planning and the troops' suffering. At the same time it challenges the narrow horizons of military history by locating the experience of Verdun in how the French had thought about themselves since the debacle of the Franco-Prussian War. Verdun emerges as the mid-point in the cycle of Franco-German hostility, carrying both the burden of history and - if only by the presence on the battlefield of men like Petain and de Gaulle, France's two leaders in the next war - the seeds of the future. THE ROAD TO VERDUN will radically challenge every reader's view of France - and the very nature of warfare.

Title: The Road to Verdun

Sub Title: France, Nationalism and the First World War

Author: Ian Ousby

Publisher: Pimlico

Year: 2003

Number of pages: 288

ISBN: 9780712664301

Condition: Used

Books are all in a used condition unless otherwise stated and may contain signs of wear and handling. Items are inspected before listing to ensure they are in an acceptable condition. Please ask questions if you need more details on an item's condition.
Books are shipped within one business day of checkout. If you select EFT as payment method, it may take somewhat longer for payment to reflect on our side before we are able to dispatch.
We offer various shipping options or local collection in Somerset West. Shipping options can be selected at checkout.
Tracking number will be supplied once your shipment has been been processed.

See more of our books at

https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1245451/T_Wever