Thanks for the thread. I have visited Vimy a couple times, it is awe inspiring.
Would like to go next year.
Pierre Berton's Vimy should be required reading for all.
I always highly recommend Tim Cook's books:
"At The Sharp End: Canadians Fighting The Great War 1914-1916"
and
"Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War 1917-1918"
Someone mentioned General Curries financial troubles so i would recommend Cook's "The Madman and The Butcher" for some great reading on that.
Lastly I recently found in a used store, "Ghosts Have Warm Hands" by Will Bird, a Canadian soldier of WW1. Just an incredible account of the daily life in and out of the trenches. He seemed to spend most of his war scrounging for food and souvenirs, and trying to find a dry place to sleep. Wanted this book for a long time, was thrilled to find it.
I lied, this is the last: I enjoyed Ernst Junger's "Storm Of Steel". I don't think you can get a better account of being on the wrong end of shelling. Memorable account of fighting on the German side. Though many are put off I imagine by the author, and his seeming love of battle; he nonetheless gives you a vivid depiction of the fighting.
As CC said, just a horrible experience for the average soldier. That's why I remember and respect those who went before.
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