Rating: 
Summary: Fiction Garbled w/ Non-fiction Wrapped in a Peacenik Agenda
Review: This was a very disappointing book. The subject is a fascinating event in human history, and I felt this title promised a rich source of historical information and entertainment. However, any reader will discover there are other, better books to read on the topic. This is the first time I have been so disappointed in a book that I felt compelled to go back and write a negative review.My own worst complaint is how Mr. Weintraub chose to mix factual history liberally with fictional accounts from books and plays. It's pretty sorry scholarship and poor history. I can only suppose he did it because the fictional accounts played up the anti-war sentiment which Mr. Weintraub's transparent political agenda requires. It is at best distracting trying to keep fact separate from fiction, because Mr. Weintraub makes abrupt transitions between factual and fictional tales and story-tellers, generally without identifying them. At worst it can be discouragingly confusing and profoundly misinforming! I was also disappointed by the frequent redundancy in the presentation. It reminds the reader of a student who is trying to make sure his term paper will be long enough to meet the required minimum. The absurd, oft-repeated theme that it's a shame the Pied Piper of Christmas Truces didn't lead all the poor, common soldiers of both sides into a permanent strike against the war is irritating, sophomoric, and tiresome. To end the book with a recapitulation of this oft-repeated theme, followed by a ridiculous, conjectural "what-if" history, based on the postulation that such an anti-war strike could have brought an end to WWI in 1915, is not only a meaningless excursion into baseless fantasy, but simply and positively unscholarly. The book does contain some interesting, factual anecdotes unearthed by Mr. Weintraub from many contemporary sources, notably war diaries of the units involved and letters home from soldiers of both sides, many of which found their way into print in subsequent years. At one point, Mr. Weintraub takes a shallow stab at debunking some of the legends which have grown up about the Christmas Truce, but then quickly goes on to heap more mythology upon mythology in his confusing technique of blending historical fact with stories and characters from popular fiction. My recommendation would be to invest your study or reading entertainment time in a different book with better scholarly intent and a more readable, more historical content.
Rating: 
Summary: A Quiet Episode in War
Review: Throughout the history of war, numerous myths have arisen to tell tales of the daring exploits that our men in uniform perform. Many of these myths are exactly that - they are exaggerated, convulted stories of possible happenings. It is remarkable that one of those stories, which is almost too improbable to be real, actually occurred; and that is what Stanley Weintruab recounts in "Silent Night". "Silent Night" is the exploration of the Christmas Truce of WWI, which occurred in December 1914. On both sides of the fighting, soldiers called for an uneasy truce in order to celebrate Christmas. It was time for celebration, not for fighting; not to mention the fact that the war had reached a terrible stalemate along the Western front, and no real progress was being made. During those few glorious Christmas days, soldiers on each side participated in gift exchanges, games of football and the clearing of "No Man's Land" so that they could bury the bodies of their fallen comrades. Weintraub weaves the tale of the 1914 Christmas truce with eye-witness accounts from soldiers, and supplements it with pictures and drawings that prove it actually happened. Sometimes his storytelling fluctuates too much; numerous accounts are given and it can be confusing as to the time frame and setting in regards to the whole picture. At the end of his portrayal of this remarkable event, Weintraub offers up a "What if..." chapter - while this may seem irrelevant due to the facts of WWI, it is always a question that will remain in our minds. Weintraub offers some startling possibilities and does justice to a truth of mythic proportions.
Rating:
Summary: A Quiet Episode in War
Review: Throughout the history of war, numerous myths have arisen to tell tales of the daring exploits that our men in uniform perform. Many of these myths are exactly that - they are exaggerated, convulted stories of possible happenings. It is remarkable that one of those stories, which is almost too improbable to be real, actually occurred; and that is what Stanley Weintruab recounts in "Silent Night". "Silent Night" is the exploration of the Christmas Truce of WWI, which occurred in December 1914. On both sides of the fighting, soldiers called for an uneasy truce in order to celebrate Christmas. It was time for celebration, not for fighting; not to mention the fact that the war had reached a terrible stalemate along the Western front, and no real progress was being made. During those few glorious Christmas days, soldiers on each side participated in gift exchanges, games of football and the clearing of "No Man's Land" so that they could bury the bodies of their fallen comrades. Weintraub weaves the tale of the 1914 Christmas truce with eye-witness accounts from soldiers, and supplements it with pictures and drawings that prove it actually happened. Sometimes his storytelling fluctuates too much; numerous accounts are given and it can be confusing as to the time frame and setting in regards to the whole picture. At the end of his portrayal of this remarkable event, Weintraub offers up a "What if..." chapter - while this may seem irrelevant due to the facts of WWI, it is always a question that will remain in our minds. Weintraub offers some startling possibilities and does justice to a truth of mythic proportions.
Rating:
Summary: Get it from the Library or borrow from a friend
Review: What is happening to Non fiction .... Time and time again I find myself buying and then reading a great story for 30-40 pages then its downhill fast .. Having read many of the classics associated with WWI ,I was looking forward to an extra dimention to an extraordinary event . The book delivers early on then becomes a series of random references and is repetitive . I dont blame the author , the editors and publishers must accept responsibility for this occurring .
Get it from the Library or borrow from a friend
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