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Feb 25, 2017IV27HUjg rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I had similar views as 3 of the reviews. Part of history I'd not yet know about from WWI. I've come across info & photos of the ingenious methods used to cover such damaging war wounds, very pioneering methods that lead to further developments. Modern plastic surgery came out of these wars. For any further interest: Anna Coleman Ladd & the search leads to the doctor pioneering plastic surgery. The photos of such devastating damage then shows the remarkable masks made to help heal the psyche & assist the soldier attempt to rebuild his life. As for the various characters I was less convinced or attached. During the beginning of the historical depression I had a hard time imagining women able to leave their families, despite all expenses paid. Definitely a recurring theme, young men have heroic bravado to join the glorious fight. They get drunk & enlist, a global occurrence featured in several historical fiction reads. (East of Eden, the film Gallipoli, Testament of Youth, The War Horse, Ryan's Daughter.) A worthy effort, a descent, informative read. I skimmed much of it. Seeing the WWI battlefields today is sober, somber, almost eerie. Armament still comes to the surface across French fields, as in other parts of Europe.