The Battle of the Somme: A Topographical History by Gerald Gliddon lands on the shelves of my shop, where it will be found in my Military History section.
Stroud: Alan Sutton Publishing, 1996, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Contains: Black & white photographs; Maps; Appendix;
From the cover: Since its first publication, to great critical acclaim, Gerald Gliddons topographical survey of the Somme battlefield has become a classic reference work for all those with an interest in this most horrific of battles. A compendium of the battle from June to November 1916, it details events at every town, village and wood associated with the battle. Set out topographically, it covers everything from the famous battle sites such as High Wood and Mametz Wood to obscure villages on the outlying flanks. The author draws on the testimony of those who took part to present all aspects of what was to become a symbol of the horrors of the Great War, a battle that resulted in over a million casualties.
As John Terraine commented when reviewing the first edition, What gives this book its special quality is the commentary, the collation of references to people, to units or to literature associated with each one of these localities. In addition to its unique topographical survey, it includes a chronology of events, a section on the role of the Royal Flying Corps, a bibliography, an appendix giving the orders of battle, and an index to formations and units.
This book (originally published as When the Barrage Lifts) has proved a necessary addition to the library of any student of the First World War and an essential handbook for the increasing number of visitors to the battlefield. It is the indispensable guide to the Battle of the Somme.
Introduction by: Correlli Barnett
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Top edge of the text block tanned. Text complete, clean and tight.
Matching Pictorial boards. [XVII] 488 pages. Index. Bibliography. 9½” x 6¼”.
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