The United States in the First World War : An Encyclopedia (Military History of the United States)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent companion or stand alone source.
Review: This encylopedia is an exhaustive work on an historical turning point that is overshadowed by the Second World War. This work contains biographical sketches of key participants, detailed explanations of significant battle units and troop manuevers, background on significant weaponry, and details on contemporary popular culture. I find myself reaching for it to read by itself as much as I do for looking up a reference found in another book. Americans who participated in WWI were always ashamed of the carnage and the lack of a clear resolution which ultimately led to WWII. Thankfully, this book allows us to appreciate the lost generation's bravery and ability to deal with the slaughter and destruction. This volume has done much to bring my grandfather's war into the same clear focus I've always viewed my father's war. Each entry contains a bibliography.