Letters from Verdun: Frontline Experiences of an American Volunteer in World War 1 France($26.48Value)

Description

A beautifully written and fully illustrated experience of the Great War from a participant . . . Though the United States was late to enter the Great War, a number of idealistic young Americans wished to take part from the beginning. One of these was Avery Royce Wolf, a highly educated scion of a family in America’s burgeoning industrial heartland. Volunteering as an ambulance driver with the French Army in the Verdun sector, Royce sent back a constant stream of highly detailed letters describing the experience of frontline combat, not excluding comments on strategy, the country he encountered, and the Allies’ prospects for success. This treasure trove of brilliant letters, only recently discovered, is accompanied by several albums worth of rare, high-quality photos depicting aspects of the Great War in France never previously published. The book contains expert overviews to set the reader in Royce’s time and place; however, the narrative is most gripping with his own day-to-day perceptions, analytical and emotional in turn. The reader can sympathize with Royce’s dilemma when his original term of service expires and he wonders whether to return home. But then the American army begins to arrive and he decides to continue on. We hear firsthand how the U.S. troops are first kept out of battle, then take casualties no veteran unit would have sustained, because of their fresh-faced audacity. When the Ludendorff Offensive unfolds in spring 1918 there is nothing but disaster to report, as each day witnesses a new collapse before the seemingly unstoppable Germans. Royce believes that the entire Allied war effort is doomed. But then somehow the Allies hold on and the war is nearly at an end. Full of exciting experiences as well as interesting firsthand analyses such as comparing French and German trench works (the latter were far better), Letters from Verdun brings the reader amazingly close to the frontlines of the Great War, almost as if in person. Table of Contents Preface Part I: Summer of 1917 Part II: Autumn of 1917 Part III: Winter of 1917–1918 Part IV: Spring of 1918 Pat V: Late Spring and Summer of 1918—The Ludendorff Offensive Epilogue: Final Letters Afterword Glossary of Terms Bibliography and Reference Materials “…very exciting and brings the reader amazingly close to the front lines of the Great War, almost as if in person….an excellent book ad a great addition to your World War I bookshelf.” Lone Star Book Review “…engrossing, as here was an educated young man who was able to succinctly portray what it was like in the day to day existence of working in what was a very important part of the war effort…eye-opening…one of those books that one is hesitant to put down…” Modeling Madness “…indeed a wonderful read. Royce has the ability to take the reader along with him in al the action and human responses that are experienced by men in armed conflict.” Professor Ruff “…most attractive book… keeps the reader enthralled and it is recommended as the finest account of ambulance work at Verdun.” Stand To! The Journal of the Western Front Association "Wolfe’s letters and an excellent, extended diary entry covering the German offensives of 1918- are supplemented by a series of photographs from the author that provide a visual commentary to the events described in this fine account of one young American’s contribution to the Allied cause.”" War Books Review ... fine account of one young American’s contribution to the Allied cause" War Books Review Avery Royce Wolfe served in SSU 31 for three months in 1917. He hailed from Buffalo, NY and went to Lafayette College. After the AFS was absorbed by the US Army he subsequently served in the U.S. Army Ambulance Service. New Mint Condition Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon Guaranteed packaging No quibbles returns