Boy Soldiers of the Great War

Having discovered another Richard van Emden book whilst browsing for a present, I knew his sure, authorative, well-researched touch when transcribing the memories of my grandfather's generation but I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact this book had on me. To hear the voices of these children [for that's all they were]descibing horrors that hopefully we will never see again touched me deeply and those voices surely will never be forgotten by any reader of this book.

A Wonderful tribute a must read. (9/9 people found this helpful)

I have to say from the start that The Great War is something of a passion of mine and have therefore read many different books on the subject. Until now for some reason the subject of 'boy soldiers' has not been widely covered so when I saw this book I was eager to read it, I wasn't dissapointed!

In short it is a fantastic read, moving in places it gives the reader an idea of what motivated teenagers to join up and do their bit for King and Country. The only down side for me is that it made me even more angry when I saw the local 'chavs' hanging around, could you imagine these boys having the guts that those same age did in 1914 - 18? No me neither, talk about sorting the men and boys! Van Emden is fast becoming one of my favourite WW1 authors, but for me Boy Soldiers is his best yet.

A brilliant history (13/13 people found this helpful)

Boy Soldiers of the Great War is how history ought to be written. It's a riveting, deeply moving account of the tens of thousands of boys and young men who not only served their country, but, as van Emden shows, quite probably saved it.

van Emden has done his homework and it shows on every page. While other oral histories simply collect and present first-person accounts, van Emden has discovered many previously untold stories, then puts them in social, political, personal and historical context.

Compelling reading (19/19 people found this helpful)

This is not a book I would normally buy, however, after seeing, by chance, the cover featuring three terribly young boy going out to war I thought I would try to read something a little different. This book has revealed a world of which I had little idea, but the stories of these boys, as young as thirteen, are both gripping and heart rending.

There are fascinating picture sections too - there is a reproduction of a joining up form of a boy of fifteen, who became an officer and was later killed. His handwriting is so childlike, yet this boy was an acting Captain at sixteen! Other pictures show boys stripped to the waist who would be refused entry to the boy scouts today, never mind the army - and all these boys had been fighting in France.

I am impressed that the author has found and interviewed survivors who are aged between 105 and 108 years old - what a fascinating story they have to tell. This has to be the last oral testimony from that devastating war.

An Extraordinarily Moving Book ý a must read. (25/25 people found this helpful)

I have read many books on the First World War and have awaited this book with eager anticipation following the Channel 4 TV programme on the same subject. I was certainly not disappointed by this work as it packed so much information into its pages.

Richard van Emden has unearthed some incredible research on the boys that joined up, trained, fought and sadly died for our country in the First World War. I find it extraordinary that no one had ever thought to write about such a poignant subject. This book covers the story with great detail, highlighting some amazing cameos. Most incredible was the story of 15 year old Jack Pouchot who won the DCM for bravery. Imagine a 15 year old doing that today!

Another gem unearthed was that of an officer of the Accrington Pals commissioned at the tender age of 15 years old. To be in command of men at that age defies description, yet he still led his men over the top on 1st July 1916, the infamous first day of the Somme to be met by withering German resistance. And all at just 16 years old! One can only feel immense pride intermingled with sadness at such actions.

The sheer number of underage soldiers who fought in the British Army is staggering and van Emden's work cannot be praised too highly for shedding new light on this neglected sphere of the conflict. I still find it incredible that sitting here in the 21st century, writing this review on my PC, that it was only a few years ago that van Emden interviewed many of the veterans whose testimonies are contained within this book. The trenches, mud, machine guns and artillery seem a lifetime away, certainly from a different era, but credit must go to the author for his dedication in tracking down these men to capture their stories for the next generation.

A wonderful, thought-provoking and highly poignant book, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Richard Van Emden

Reader Reviews:

Engrossing and Disturbing (11/11 people found this helpful)

A Wonderful tribute a must read. (9/9 people found this helpful)

A brilliant history (13/13 people found this helpful)

Compelling reading (19/19 people found this helpful)

An Extraordinarily Moving Book ý a must read. (25/25 people found this helpful)

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