Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment, full of personal biases, little value
Review: I thought this might be an excellent companion while touring the sites where brave men died for their respective countries. Instead it was full of personal left-wing biases, that made the book hard to read. Had I been able to read the book deeper prior to purchase, I would not have waisted my money. Sgt York a hick? That comment of his boggles one's mind.
Rating: 
Summary: part history, part travelogue, part pacifist manifesto
Review: In none of the histories of WWI that I've read have I seen a translation of "Passchendaele." Although I knew that 800,000 men died there, until I read this book I didn't know that the word actually means "Valley of Crucifixion." Knowing this makes a difference. At least it does for me. It's in small things like this that I readily saw the difference between what O'Shea has written and traditional history with its litany of names, dates, places and numbers. While O'Shea has done his homework and is very knowledgable about the war, because of the travelogue style in which he writes, his book makes the war less distant, less abstract and more real. I could read a hundred history books telling me about the million three-hundred thousand men who died at the Somme, but none of them would have the impact of someone telling me about how he stumbled upon a busted helmet in a wheat field there. Though my brain can absorb a number, my heart can't; what my heart absorbs is the helmet. I lived in Germany for two years. I visited the Somme battlefield. I had no words to describe what I saw and felt there. I'm grateful that O'Shea did.
Rating:
Summary: part history, part travelogue, part pacifist manifesto
Review: In none of the histories of WWI that I've read have I seen a translation of "Passchendaele." Although I knew that 800,000 men died there, until I read this book I didn't know that the word actually means "Valley of Crucifixion." Knowing this makes a difference. At least it does for me. It's in small things like this that I readily saw the difference between what O'Shea has written and traditional history with its litany of names, dates, places and numbers. While O'Shea has done his homework and is very knowledgable about the war, because of the travelogue style in which he writes, his book makes the war less distant, less abstract and more real. I could read a hundred history books telling me about the million three-hundred thousand men who died at the Somme, but none of them would have the impact of someone telling me about how he stumbled upon a busted helmet in a wheat field there. Though my brain can absorb a number, my heart can't; what my heart absorbs is the helmet. I lived in Germany for two years. I visited the Somme battlefield. I had no words to describe what I saw and felt there. I'm grateful that O'Shea did.
Rating:
Summary: Very Thoughtful
Review: Like historians Denis Winter, John Laffin, and others sensitive to the Great War experience of the Commonwealth, this author is unashamedly anti-war. He doesn't claim to be a historian but he is indeed insightful. Wasted lives haunt this book and the author honors the sacrificed well. His is a thoughtful, introspective journey that is a tribute to the fallen. The truth he discovers is sincere and quite personal. It is also of great value and deserves consideration. First World War Assoc. Recommended Book and Western Front Award Honoree for History Reflections.
Rating: 
Summary: An insightful trek across the Western Front
Review: Mr O'Shea's epic trek across the western front, from Nieport to the last battered cement blockhouse on the Swiss border is a treat to read as we follow his 600 mile journey. This young Canadian's unique style of detailing the once terrible battles and the current condition of the scores of villages, towns and earthworks captures his own thoughts and that of history.
An excellent means of learning more about the battles and the men who endured the worst war in history. Plenty of humor and some rather sad comments on some of his observations. I wish I had the time to follow in his footsteps for this would be a journey of a lifetime.
The only regret I have is that there were no photographs, which would have enriched this book.
Worth reading and learning from, a great treat for a rainy weekend or a long holiday or flight.
Rating:
Summary: An Unique History
Review: Mr. O'Shae has written an excellent recount of his hike along the almost forgotten Western World War I trench lines. The author's informal, almost chatty style results in an extraordinarily easy read. This fascinating travelogue is interwoven with standardized, benchmark histories and a few personal letters, which compliment rather than distract. Mr. O'Shae encompasses all combatants; Germans soldiers, who suffered as horribly from misguided, disorganized and incompetent officers as the French and British, are recalled with dignity and compassion. O'shae reserves his moral judgments only for the War's terrible leaders and royalty. Britain's General Haig receives the brunt of his criticism, perhaps rightfully so. The book encouraged me to vicariously follow the author's travels on the Internet. I found a bounty of pictures and memorials and visited many reconstructed towns and cities. I was disappointed with the author's maps, which could have better graphics and orientation. But this minor criticism hardly diminishes his superb monologue and presentation, and shouldn't distract potential readers from enjoying his very unique book.
Rating:
Summary: A maudlin anti-war editorial.
Review: Mr. O'Shea starts with a wonderful concept - to walk the line of trenches from WWI and describe their location, history and present condition. Unfortunately, the book quickly degenerates into an ever-lengthening editorial against war and history's war leaders. With the clear view of hindsight - which he spends a page justifying - the author judges the generals of 1916 by the standards and knowledge of 1996. His pontificating becomes boring. Unforgivably, he also expresses his contempt and disdain for the amateur historians who purchase his book and line his pockets. Fortunately, this is partly compensated for by the inclusion of a list of references that far better meet the needs of the reader.
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent book with almost poetic phrasing.
Review: O'Shea doesn't really claim to be a historian. He is a guy who visited the Somme with some friends and was so blown away by the visible scars left by a long ago war that he chose to study the war and then return to look at the sights - as up close and insightfully as anyone I have read. As a retired Marine and amateur military historian, I bridled a little at the pacifist views that seemed to be hailing from an unreconstructed 60s perspective. But he is right about the generals of that war. They were unable to understand the war and their responsibilities. Too many of the sacrifices made by the soldiers of that war WERE needless - complaints about O'Shea's perspective introduced by some reviewers don't make the facts any less real. O'Shea's insight helps bring the war into much better focus. O'Shea's best contribution is the magic of his phrasing. He uses the English language as beautifully as anyone writing. I read the book with a highlighter to identify turns of phrase that deserve to be memorialized. I kept thinking, "Damn, I wish I'd written this." O'Shea is a writer. I hope he keeps doing it
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: O'Shea has written a powerful, informed, and entertaining book that is a must for those interested in WWI. Much more than a travel book, it is beautifully written and deeply moving. I enjoyed it very much and was touched by his expression of outrage and respect.
Rating:
Summary: Author lacks the compassion for the veterans.
Review: O'Shea is more interested in making glib comments and sarcastic insights than in detailing the trenches of today with the history and death that they saw. It is easy for any of us to say what was useless and unnecessary and to view those who laid down their lives with contempt. It is harder to break the war down to its human element...each man who fought. If one is looking for a narrative on this war without the intellectual haughtiness of one who has never enlisted in the military then avoid this book and pray O'Shea is not in your regiment in case of war.
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