Rating: 
Summary: Not A WW 1 Overview
Review: The book provides you want the title implies, a solders view of trench warfare. This was the first book I read about WW 1, and that was probably a mistake on my part. This book does not provide the reader with much of the background or political reasons of the war, but that is not the intent of the book. There is a lot of detail about what it was like to be a foot solder during both combat and off combat times. I would have liked more focus on all of the other countries solders in a comparison format. Overall a good book that reads fast.
Rating:
Summary: Not A WW 1 Overview
Review: The book provides you want the title implies, a solders view of trench warfare. This was the first book I read about WW 1, and that was probably a mistake on my part. This book does not provide the reader with much of the background or political reasons of the war, but that is not the intent of the book. There is a lot of detail about what it was like to be a foot solder during both combat and off combat times. I would have liked more focus on all of the other countries solders in a comparison format. Overall a good book that reads fast.
Rating:
Summary: The story of the daily life of a WWI soldier..
Review: This book gives the complete, inside story of the difficult daily life of the World War I soldier. In addition to the usual fare of telling the soldier's view of trench warfare and going over the top, the book also explores many subjects which are generally not represented in texts about World War I. These particular subjects are: the sexual habits of the soldier, the drinking habits of the soldier, and activities that occurred in the rear when the soldier was not in the front lines. You can expect to find these topics and many more in this fine book. I only wish that some of the subjects were explored in greater detail. Regardless, a great addition to a library of World War I books.
Rating:
Summary: The story of the daily life of a WWI soldier..
Review: This book gives the complete, inside story of the difficult daily life of the World War I soldier. In addition to the usual fare of telling the soldier's view of trench warfare and going over the top, the book also explores many subjects which are generally not represented in texts about World War I. These particular subjects are: the sexual habits of the soldier, the drinking habits of the soldier, and activities that occurred in the rear when the soldier was not in the front lines. You can expect to find these topics and many more in this fine book. I only wish that some of the subjects were explored in greater detail. Regardless, a great addition to a library of World War I books.
Rating: 
Summary: A cut-&-paste job on the century's heaviest subject
Review: This is much in the manner of Lyn MacDonald's blighter's-eye-view accounts of the Great War. It is mostly composed of soldiers' accounts of their experiences of trench life and warfare, along with the emotional, moral, and spiritual dislocation that they endured. One quote from a German soldier on leave gives an idea of what horror they lived under, yet grew familiar with. "I am restless. I hate the kitchen table at which I am writing. I lost patience over a book. I should like to push the landscape aside as if it irritated me. I must get to the Front. I must again hear the shells roaring up into the sky and the desolate valley echoing the sound. I must get back to my Company...live once again in the realm of death."This book is not as slick as the companion to the PBS series, yet it seems rawer, more real. It is a good, economical, brief introduction to what life was like for soldiers during this terrible catastrophe.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging introduction to the trenches
Review: This is not the definitive account of life in the trenches of World War I. It is, however, an engaging account of many facets of that life. It covers the basics from raids to rations, from entertainment to the layout of No-Man's-Land. Unfortunately, scant attention is paid to the armies other than the British (almost nothing is said of the French, for example, who's country was the one being fought over), and many of the otherwise interesting photos have no captions. Otherwise, it's nice to see somebody write about the experience of the common soldier.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book on trench warfare & culture
Review: This is one of the finest books in my WW1 library. Next to the books by Lyn McDonald. I have recommended this book to those who are just beginning their studies on the war. Ellis has done a fine job--very concise, very human and extremely well written. I highly recommend it.
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