Author Description

The First World War A-Z is a concise, pocket-size guide, taking readers through the impressive collection of materials related to the Great War in the Imperial War Museum to shed light on this historic event on the occasion of its centenary. Beginning with "Aces," a term first coined by French newspaperman Adople Pégoud to describe the skilled and dedicated fighter pilots credited with shooting down enemy aircraft, and ending with the German airship "Zeppelin,” the book takes readers through entries including "Airplanes," "Rationing,” "Rats,” "Recruitment,” "The Red Baron,” "Remembrance,” "The Royal Flying Corps,” "Shell Shock,” and "Scrap of Paper,” the infamous German term for the 1839 Treaty of London, which guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality. Throughout the book, individual entries are brought to life with moving--and sometimes funny--excerpts from firsthand accounts by soldiers and others who took part in the war. Packed with stories and surprising facts that will intrigue anyone with an interest in World War I, The First World War A-Z covers virtually all aspects of the war, from leaders and battles to songs, superstitions, and slang and accompanies a major exhibition that will open at the Imperial War Museum in July.