Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36539 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

Synopsis
Modern research methods - archaeological, historical, forensic - have transformed our view of the past. This is especially true of the history of the Great War. In this, the first comprehensive survey of this exciting new field, Andrew Robertshaw and David Kenyon introduce the reader to the techniques that are employed and record, in vivid detail, many of the remarkable projects that have been undertaken. They show how archaeology can be used to reveal the position of trenches, dugouts and other battlefield features and to rediscover what life on the Western Front was really like. And they show how individual soldiers are themselves part of the story, for forensic investigation of the war dead is now so highly developed that individuals can be identified and their fate discovered.

Customer Reviews

Life below ground
In May 2006, Andrew Robertshaw and I stood in Avril William's Ocean Villas tea rooms at Auchonvilliers. Andy told me the story of a British Soldier whose remains had been discovered at serre in 2003, and that amongst his possedcions were coins from Jersey, my home. Whilist everyone might not be lucky enough to be informed and inspired by the man himself, this book will run a close second. No Man's Land groupfirst came to genral notice because of the TV programmes Finding the Fallen and Trench Detectives. This book details the groups objectives and takes the reader through the life of a soldier in the trenches on the Western Front of the Great War. the book starts with a good basic explanation of archeological techniques, the relevance of finds and how they can support the historical record of the times. The text may also change the widley held preconcived ideas of the Great War held by many. The book also deals with the moraltity of excavating those who died within (just) living memory and the problems facing those who live in an area that some se a sacred site, for others just where they live. Far from an academic tome the text is sprinkled with dry humour and sharp comments, this plus the illustrations make it a must read for anyone who visits the area. Walk softly, you not on whom you may be treading.