Product Description

From the Belgian coast, across the fields of Flanders, over the valley of the Somme and down the line to the Argonne: all the major battlefields of the First World War - Ypres, Arras, Cambrai, Amiens, St. Quentin, Mons, Le Cateau, Reims, Verdun and St. Mihiel - are criss-crossed in this book over more than thirty different routes, each clearly shown on a Michelin map. Every significant feature is described in detail. Indispensable for anyone contemplating a tour of the battlefields in Belgium and France, this book combines the years of knowledge, travel and research of its author, Rose Coombs, who worked at the Imperial War Museum in London for nearly forty years. Since her death in 1991, "After the Battle's" editor, Karel Margry, has travelled every route, checking and revising the text where necessary, as well as re-photographing every memorial. Many new ones are included, yet we have striven to keep true to the flavour of Rose's original concept...before endeavours fade.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53166 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Before Endeavours Fade
Rose Coomb's book is indispensable for anyone interested in touring the French and Belgian WWI battlefields. I visited the battlefields in December of 2002, following the detailed routes from the Michelin maps provided in the book. The descriptions of the events are brief enough that you can read them while at the actual battlefield sites, and they will greatly aid in your reconstruction of your travels when you develop your photos. Make certain that you go to the battlefields to pay homage to our brave and never forgotten Commonwealth soldiers.
"Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore."
Ecclesiasticus 44:14

Essential reading for visitors to War Graves
I found that every WW1 site I entered had this book as a "must" on their reading list. After I'd browsed through its pages I had to agree. It's meticulously researched with all the CWG cemeteries described in great detail, neatly put into map sections with all the relevant information for visitors. It's also full of snippets of info about interesting graves eg VC winners, young soldiers, first & last men to die in WW1. For anyone seriously intending to visit several war cemeteries it is an invaluable tool - and a good read to boot. Highly recommended.

An exelent guide
It is wonderfull to see that this marvelous work is being kept up to date. It provides both routes and facts about the whole of the western front from the first world war. Originally written twenty five years ago it has now become an historical document in its own right while its revision has made sure that it is relevent to the modern traveller. Unfortunately the author passed away some years ago but she is well remembered and respected and I would recomend that anyone following this guide to the town of Ieper (Ypres) should add to their itinerary a stroll along the Rose Coombes memorial walk on the Ramparts of the town (Starts at the Lille gate).