Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19360 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 191 pages

Synopsis
This lavishly illustrated book marks the 90th anniversary of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. Charting the development of the magnificent cemeteries and memorials built in 150 countries, "Remembered" emphasizes the importance of the commission's work not only in commemorating the dead, but also in preserving the sites of some of the most historically significant battles of the twentieth century. The first major illustrated history of its kind for almost fifty years, "Remembered" is an engaging introduction to the work of the CWGC and its enduring relevance today.

Customer Reviews

REMEMBERED
Enjoyed the book but much of the text is lifted from other books on the subject. I would have liked to have seen more old photographs of the cemeteries in their original state.
Whilst the modern photographs are very good there are ones that are just as good in the Commission's Annual Reports.
HOWEVER THERE IS A GLARING MISTAKE ON PAGE 145 WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN PICKED UP :- The photograph shows the small GORDON CEMETERY at Mametz (100 graves)whist the text describes it as the large GORDON DUMP CEMETERY at La Boisselle with over 1,600 graves.

Never Forget
This is a beautiful book covering an important and moving subject. Of course, "the subject" is not just the war cemeteries covered so well here, but the whole tragedy of war, especially World War One.

As I grow older it is increasingly sad, and even more humbling, to think of those thousands of men dying for - in so many ways - nothing.

All the more important then that we remember them, their loss and - here's the real point - that we as a nation of people collectively show our debt and gratitude to all servicemen by tending the graves of the fallen.

We should also provide today's soldiers with decent equipment, housing and pay, but that's another story. Maybe by paying homage to the dead of the last century we can better appreciate the service of those today.

After I bought a copy for myself I immediately got another one for a friend.

Highly recommended.

Excellent with beautiful photos
Military historians and family history researchers along with the many of the thousands who regularly visit the battlefields and Commonwealth War cemeteries around the globe each year, will be delighted with this superb large format colourful volume, which in a mixture of words and beautiful photographs chronicles the history of the multi-national organization that is tasked with caring for the final resting places of over 1.7 million Commonwealth war dead of both the Great and Second World Wars.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission who's work is funded by the Australian, British, Canadian, Indian, New Zealand and South African Governments, skillfully and caringly maintains cemeteries in no less than 23,000 cemeteries in locations spanning 170 countries worldwide, was founded 90 years ago with the aim of recording the exact burial places of servicemen killed in battle and providing them with a grave, where without distinction in rank, race or creed, but with uniformity would be remembered in perpetuity.

Writing this book would not have been an easy task, however the author has succeeded, in not only covering the history of the Commission, but has also cleverly "woven in" many fascinating stories behind the headstones adding a human and sensitive perspective to the history too. This factor alone makes fascinating reading however, when the text is coupled together with Brian Harris's brilliant and very often artistic photographs taken in Europe, Canada, the Middle and Far East, the volume becomes more valuable to both the researcher and casual reader.

As all royalties from the sale of this excellent volume are being donated towards the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, I would therefore urge anyone with an interest is this fascinating subject to purchase this volume to assist them in keeping up their excellent work.