Product Description

Edwin Lutyens' Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval in Northern France, visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists, is arguably the finest structure erected by any British architect in the twentieth century. It is the principal, tangible expression of the defining event in Britain's experience and memory of the Great War, the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916, and it bears the names of 73,000 soldiers whose bodies were never found at the end of that bloody and futile campaign. This moving and original study by an acclaimed architectural historian tells the origin of the memorial in the context of commemorating the war dead; it considers the giant classical brick arch in architectural terms; and also explores its wider significance and its resonances today. The Wonders of the World is a series of books that focuses on some of the world's most famous sites or monuments. Their names will be familiar to almost everyone: they have achieved iconic stature and are loaded with a fair amount of mythological baggage. These monuments have been the subject of many books over the centuries, but our aim, through the skill and stature of the writers, is to get something much more enlightening, stimulating, even controversial, than straightforward histories or guides.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113923 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"'A gem... utterly absorbing... an elegy which resonates powerfully today' Jane Ridley, Sunday Telegraph 'An invaluable, detailed and illuminating study' Geoff Dyer, Guardian 'A tragic chorus on the Somme which reverberates on the battlefields of today' A. N. Wilson"

The Spectator
'as a piece of architectural analysis it is impressive.'

Literary Review
'[a] moving and eloquent book...'

Customer Reviews

Concise and Excellent !
This is an excellent and easy-to-read book that goes into a surprising amount of detail, not only on the memorial itself, but on Lutyens, war memorials in general and the First World War, plus what has happened to the memorial after its completion and contemporary attitudes to it and to war and war memorials in general, even quoting the excellent fourth series of "Blackadder", as well as Sebastian Faulks' "Birdsong" as part of his examination of why people born long after the war are still fascinated by it and why the memorial attracts more visitors today than it did in the years immediately following the war. I'm familiar with Gavin Stamp's other books on architects and architectural history and this book is certainly up there with the best of his work.
The book is part of Profile Books' "Wonders of the World" series and before I read it I was surprised to see Thiepval included in a series that includes the Alhambra, the Colosseum and the Parthenon, but afterwards, taking Stamp's idea that it is a memorial to all those who have died in war, I can see why it was included. I'm looking forward to the volume on St Pancras Station in the same series.

I thoroughly recommend this book !

ICONIC MONUMENT ON THE SOMME
To Great War enthusiasts, military historians and battlefield tour guides, architects and family history researchers, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval needs little if any introduction, as this most impressive monument which bears the names of 73,000 British Commonwealth servicemen whose bodies were never identified, not only stands out magnificently in the French countryside for miles around, but is also known by thousands worldwide.

The first time I saw this structure, I was awestruck and although I have visited it many times since, I never cease to be amazed at both the incredible loss of life and the creativity of the architect who designed this imposing structure. Thiepval is an iconic memorial to the Great War and as such, it attracts thousands of visitors each year. A large number visit it out of curiosity, however the vast majority visit it during a battlefield tour or on a side trip to see the name of a long lost ancestor who died fighting for King and country, in a war that was supposed to end all wars! One thing for certain, is that they will be impressed by its magnitude.

This splendid volume so eloquently written tells the full story behind this significant memorial and includes the reasons for its architectural importance, the way in which it commemorates the dead and of course its wider historical significance. The volume was a great success when originally published in hardback format and therefore I am sure this paperback edition will be every bit as popular and if not more popular, as at just 8.99, it represents excellent value for money and is very affordable and will without a doubt, due to the increased interest in the Great War and family history research in general, appeal to a wider range of readers of all ages.

I believe anyone whose ancestors name is featured on the memorial, will not want to be without a copy of this publication in their library!

not abot Thiepval Memorial at all
I bought this book on the strength of a newspaper review, having visited the Thiepval Memorial several times. I was really looking forward to reading THE definitive book on the Thiepval Memorial, only this isn't that book. Although this book is very well written, it seems to be about everything EXCEPT Thiepval. In fact, there is so little information about it, I think the author should be questioned by Trading Standards.

There is probably more information about the Thiepval Memorial in the 10 page booklet sold for a Euro at Theipval than this book. A great opportunity missed. Very, very disappointing