Finished with about 20 minutes left in August.
Absolute masterpiece of storytelling (whether or not every narrative is true to history). As a WW1-ophile it still had information I didnt know and care for the people more lost to time (General Lanrezac especially).
Also very interesting to have an english language book written about this topic by an American, because there is no sentimental or patriotic attachment to the British. Barbara pulls no punches on John French, and holds a specific admiration and reverence for the French people without ignoring the substantial failures of that month.
Loved the book and got a great appreciation for how terrible that time 11 decades ago was.
"A Funeral", "Goeben… an Enemy then Flying" and "The Front is Paris" are standout chapters. Its a long, dense book but worthy of all its acclaim.
by theliver