Sons of Freedom

July 1, 2018
Wawro (History/Univ. of North Texas; A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire, 2014, etc.) takes a deeper look at the American soldiers who rescued Europe in 1918.Many historians believe that World War I wasn't really won; it was just interrupted until 1936, when it roared back to life. As forewarned in 1919, without an American presence in Europe, Germany would take over Europe's coastline and prevent another rescue. In 1918, the French, Italians, and English were running out of manpower. The French army was down to old men and teenagers, and their credit was exhausted. They were desperate for soldiers as a strategical reserve against Germany--and America could provide soldiers. When Gen. John Pershing finally brought the Doughboys to Europe, they were untrained and ignorant of modern trench warfare, and they lacked the necessary equipment. They arrived without engineers, signalers, tanks, artillery, machine guns, or planes--all to be shipped later. Pershing swore that America would not serve except under his leadership, but his army was ineffective. He did release a dozen battalions of "colored" soldiers to the French; they were fully incorporated as combat troops and highly praised. Eventually, he agreed to help the Allies, but not too much. The first American battle took place at Cantigny in May 1918, a full year after the U.S. declared war. German Gen. Erich Ludendorff knew the American army could tip the scales, and he did all in his power to finish off the Allies before their arrival. Unfortunately for the Americans, the artillery was late, and the tanks, even with George Patton in charge, were still too new and unreliable. Still, as Wawro ably demonstrates, the American reserves were crucial to the war's outcome: "The Doughboys won the war by surrounding the German army in France and Belgium and compelling its surrender."An interesting look at America's claims about World War I, the truth and folly therein, and the unfinished work they left behind after the armistice was (eventually) signed.

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2018

With the neglected and forgotten contributions of American soldiers, or "Doughboys," as its overriding theme, this new work from Wawro (director, Military History Ctr., Univ. of North Texas; A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire) seeks to demonstrate how their efforts won World War I. It begins with defining the diplomatic and political situation from the war's beginning until American intervention, then proceeds to detail mobilization, training, transporting, equipping, and deploying American soldiers. Diplomatic relations with Britain and France, including arguments for amalgamation of U.S. units into British and French Army units (as opposed to fighting as independent, consolidated American forces), are recurring topics. Although inexperienced, often untrained, and poorly supported, Doughboys were aggressive and persistent, while British and French forces were spent, often deserting their posts or failing to advance to support allied forces. Captured Germans claimed they feared American soldiers above all others, and that Doughboys were excellent shock troops. VERDICT An excellent analysis of American's involvement in World War I. Recommended for anyone interested in U.S. military history.--Matthew Wayman, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib., Schuylkill Haven

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, prominent historian Wawro (Quicksand: America's Pursuit of Power in the Middle East, 2010) has written a definitive account of American intervention in the Great War. Wawro is thorough in making his case that U.S. involvement in WWI combat was decisive in helping the British and French defeat Germany and its allies. Though he is critical of specific actions, he focuses most on the heroics of the Doughboys, rather than major figures, offering a fresh and broader perspective on their courage and struggles. Wawro chronicles numerous military campaigns in detail, with maps provided, and does a particularly good job describing the brutality of the battles and the lasting effects on the survivors. Readers will sympathize with the soldiers and gain a better understanding of the sacrifices that millions of Americans made. Wawro's troops-focused account of the U.S.'s role in WWI is sure to be of interest to patrons who seek military history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)