Viewers who are watching the PBS drama Downton Abbey are apparently likely candidates for books dealing with the subjects of the series, according to a recent story in the New York Times. So publishers are working to provide them with titles that look at the upstairs/downstairs relationships in great houses and at World War I (which pretty much put an end to many of England's great houses). So I thought I would offer a few suggestions as I like those topics as well — and have a whole shelf of books devoted to WWI.
I've written about some of my favorite books, especially those that look at women, their roles in WWI and the aftermath here and here and here.
I'm currently reading Peter Englund's "The Beauty and The Sorrow: An Intimate History of the First Wold War," translated by Peter Graves. This book looks at the war through the eyes, words and actions of twenty people who were there. Men and women of all ages, from all branches of the services and a variety of countries on both sides of the conflict are represented. Though the book looks at the Western Front, much of the action takes place in different theaters of the war than we often see covered in such books; both Africa and the Eastern Front (including Russia before and after the Revolution) get a lot of ink. This is war on the ground, on the front lines and in soup kitchens and hospitals, in deserts and on mountaintops told in the words of the people who were following orders, rather than making them.
The cover photo from "The Beauty and The Sorrow" is from the Minnesota Historical Society.
I read this fascinating tidbit in "The Beauty and the Sorrow" after watching the first episode of Downton Abby/Season Two; the scene where Mary gives Matthew her good luck stuffed toy animal. This is about Alfred Pollard, a British infantryman, age 21, on the Wesern Front in December, 1917:
"He is carrying a new mascot in his pocket — a small china doll with a lilac ribbon round its waist and an angelic expression painted on its face. It is a gift from the sister of Mary, the woman who turned down his marriage proposal so firmly. Pollard has christened the doll Billiken and he always carries it with him from now on."
"The Beauty and The Sorrow: An Intimate History of the First Wold War" is available from the South Central Library System in Wisconsin.
So funny that you're writing about Downton Abbey, as I just did on Friday. I can't get enough of it! I'm currently listening to "The House at Tyneford" which was recommended as a good book for Downton Abbey lovers in a review. Thank you for the other suggestions.
Posted by: Erin @ The Impatient Gardener | Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 10:42 PM
I have been watching Downton after good friends recommended it. But I missed last night's episode. Does it count that I went to see "The Iron Lady"?
Posted by: Jeanne Heuer | Monday, January 23, 2012 at 09:18 AM
I love that you noticed this detail.
I thought the first episode of this season showed some of the most profound war scenes I've seen. More than drama, it was the concise allusions to the juxtapositions of feelings I felt so effective in DA. Of course, I've never been in a country at war except for Guatemala.
Posted by: Julie Siegel | Monday, January 23, 2012 at 06:43 PM
I have also been drawn to WWI history & lit; and I'm always eager to get new titles. Thank you for this latest one--I'm just hoping it's not too esoteric for my local library system...A new winter hobby (painting) has interrupted Downton Abbey: have missed all but first episode. I'll figure out a way to catch up. Thanks again
Posted by: Sarah Ross | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:19 AM