The genesis for this blog was an idea I had to enhance my knowledge of the First World War through a long course of study that would coincide with the upcoming 100th anniversary of that conflict. What was initially an idea to read a few books on specific battles and campaigns close to their 100th anniversaries has turned into a much more comprehensive plan to really dig into the entire scope of the war. Luckily for me, I have 5 years to do it!
My initial thought, subject to change and modification as whim and good suggestions come to me, is to read about two books per month, which should give me well over 100 by the time 2018 comes to a close. My initial reading list (currently already sitting at over 100 books) will cover every aspect of the conflict I can manage, including books discussing the war's origins, specific battles and campaigns, obscure theaters, naval warfare, technical breakthroughs in such things as tanks and chemical warfare, biographies of key figures, fictional and autobiographical accounts, and the aftermath of the war.
Interspersed with the books, I also plan on watching applicable movies, as well as any other war-related multimedia materials I can think of or are suggested to me. Also, I'd very much like to add in a few site visits to European battlefields, if I can manage it.
I have numerous friends who already know far more about the war than I do, and I intend to draw heavily on their expertise to enhance this experience. I also hope to generate discussion that will lead to further insights, and move beyond the tired and often erroneous explanations commonly given to explain the war.
This is a pretty significant educational undertaking, but the immense repercussions of the Great War merit a much closer study on my part to better understand where we are today (and what I do in my day job, so to speak). I look forward to a long a fruitful journey of discovery!
