Old volumes titled The World War, or The Great War, or something similar always catch my attention.  That first “global” conflict has been so eclipsed by the 1940’s version in our popular histories and culture that most of us can barely remember when it was or what was at issue.  Just look at my shelf space devoted to WWII books, compared to the small corner for The War to End All Wars – I would have so much more room for angels and saints if that were only true!  I don’t know if it was naivete, or horror at the atrocities, that had people convinced this was going to be the last war.  I would like to read more of those lovely gilt and blind stamped volumes just to find out what they were thinking.

Of course there is no shortage of good literature on the topic, both fiction and non, contemporary to the war or more current historical research.  Daedulus, the remainder book distrubutor, just posted a list of favorite WWI titles that I thought I would share to get you started.  The attention on Downton Abbey has certainly helped boost interest in that era too.  In fact, I would add Kate Morton’s wonderful British home front stories, especially The House at Riverton,  to the list of fiction books on the topic.  I think the first season of Downton Abbey is remarkably similar to Morton’s book, but if you like historical fiction at all, you will still appreciate the suspense and great characters. Come in and see what we have to offer!

Here is the Daedulus list: