This calm before an incredible storm. I always thought there was a huge desire among the young to be part of ‘the big show’ as it was called. I understand that the mothers and fathers knew what would be coming - and may have feared it - but there seemed to be little opposition to it until the death toll started rising exponentially. So I ask if there really was a strong anti-war feeling at the beginning?
Read the latter and will check out the former. Loved ‘1914’ but may have to re-read. WWI is endlessly fascinating to me and for many of the reasons you state. This kind of happiness before it, masking something insidious but half-expected. When I read herman Hesse’s Demian he put it perfectly - and never even mentions the war. The wind and weather just changed - the most perceptive smelt and felt it. And yet nothing had outwardly changed. The contrast between before and after is eerie. The human condition can change on a dime…
Thanks Adam. Firstly the ordinary people didn’t know what was coming. But the point is the majority of people were not interested in war. Militarism was in retreat. Only the jingo press and a very loud minority wanted war. I recommend The Pity of War and my own book ‘1914’. Cheers
This calm before an incredible storm. I always thought there was a huge desire among the young to be part of ‘the big show’ as it was called. I understand that the mothers and fathers knew what would be coming - and may have feared it - but there seemed to be little opposition to it until the death toll started rising exponentially. So I ask if there really was a strong anti-war feeling at the beginning?
Read the latter and will check out the former. Loved ‘1914’ but may have to re-read. WWI is endlessly fascinating to me and for many of the reasons you state. This kind of happiness before it, masking something insidious but half-expected. When I read herman Hesse’s Demian he put it perfectly - and never even mentions the war. The wind and weather just changed - the most perceptive smelt and felt it. And yet nothing had outwardly changed. The contrast between before and after is eerie. The human condition can change on a dime…
Thanks Adam. Firstly the ordinary people didn’t know what was coming. But the point is the majority of people were not interested in war. Militarism was in retreat. Only the jingo press and a very loud minority wanted war. I recommend The Pity of War and my own book ‘1914’. Cheers