China Book

A fascinating study on all counts of the first "Great War." Ed. David Roberts' prose and slight "editorializing" holds together all rather insightfully, on most counts. The history of the Great War's propaganda -- in posters, pamphlets, letters, the press -- from the English side, and the collected poetry, letters home, diary entries, and all by gifted poet-soldiers as well as civilians is heart-breaking in its intensity, and necessary to gain a more well-rounded, fuller understanding of those horribly harsh, impossible times. I didn't think I could enjoy this book in its full as much as I have; somehow, Roberts makes it possible to read a history/poetry book at the same time, and gain immense feelings of closeness to the writers, and perspective on a war many still don't fathom its necessity / reasoning in the first place.