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:
Top Ten WWI Books |
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Daedalus’ Top Ten WWI Books: The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman Please share your favorite WWI books with us by sending an email to daedalus@daedalusbooks.com WWI personal favorites from two Daedalus staffers: One of Ours by Willa Cather |
First, we are carrying the 2013 Cultivating Community Calendar published by the Master Gardeners of Inyo & Mono Counties and the UC Cooperative Extension. The Master Gardener’s Program has taken off locally with astounding results, and this fundraiser will certainly help fuel that progress. It features Community Gardens up and down the Eastern Sierra – who knew there were 12 different community gardens! Plus, there are tons of helpful gardening tips, freeze date statistics, and phases of the moon. If you need a nudge to grow more of your own food or want to support growing more food community wide, this is the ticket. Local food is the way to go, thank you Master Gardeners for helping that effort.
The second idea is not actually in our store, but I’ll suggest it anyway. Our friends at Manzanar National Historic site are holding a booksigning and talk by Hank Umemoto for his book From Manzanar to Mount Whitney during the next two weekends. Mr. Umemoto is reported to be a very vivacious and interesting storyteller, so I know it will be well worth the visit. (I am so glad that more stories from Manzanar are coming out before they are lost too). Nothing better than a personally inscribed, interesting book to thrill a reader or history buff. The Manzanar Book Store is also well stocked with potential gifts, so by all means add it to your shopping destination list!
