First World War

Children's Literature - Judy DaPolito

This thorough, clear, and readable history of World War I begins with an overview of the vast scale of that war. For the first time, countries from every continent were involved, airplanes were widely used, and civilian populations as well as soldiers were targeted because they were producers of weapons and food for the troops. The book briefly discusses the balance of power in Europe from 1870 to the start of the war in 1914 and describes the trigger of the war, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo. Then the progress of the war is shown chronologically, with two-page spreads exploring its major fronts, battles, weapons, and political issues. The book is thoroughly illustrated on every page with numerous well-chosen maps, photographs, and drawings. Most of the fifty-one sections also identify internet links for further study of various aspects of the war, ranging from panoramic reconstructions of the trench system to photos and diagrams of zeppelins, to methods spies used to make invisible ink. The text is followed by two pages containing brief biographical descriptions of thirty-three important military or political figures. A glossary, an index, and a page about using the internet links, all of which can be found on an Usborne site, complete the book.