The Great War has been recorded in many ways but in this book John Laffin illustrates a very specific one - the extraordinary phenomenon of the war postcard - reflecting as it does the full range of response to this most murderous and ghastly war. Sent from the battle front in much the same way as holiday postcards, thousands of these cards made their way back and forth between the soldiers and their families. In this book almost three hundred of these postcards are reproduced, together with some of the poignant messages which their authors wrote from the Front. Grouped into sections - the cards highlight the contrasts in individual outlook and between nationalistic tendencies to understatement, exaggeration or sentimentality.
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Review:
A thoroughly interesting collection of around 300 postcards sent both to and from the battle front reproduced together with many of the more moving messages written on the back. The cards are grouped into various sections including Entente Cordiale, Humour, Religion, Animals, Silks and many others. The author John Laffin is a renowned war historian and has written a fascinating commentary describing the developing relationship of the postcard with this terrible conflict. Misses out on 5 stars purely as the cards are photographed mainly in black and white. Will appeal to both postcard collectors and those interested in the Great War alike. --Terry Dickens
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- PublisherWrens Park Publishing
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0905778642
- ISBN 13 9780905778648
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages201
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