They Shall Not Pass: The French Army on the Western Front, 1914–1918

I have read extensively on the British experience of the First World War, so seeking a different angle I became interested in the experiences of the French, especially Verdun: this book delivered! Ian Sumner evokes the experiences of the first clashes in 1914, through the mincer that was Verdun, to the fluidity of 1918 and eventual victory by painstakingly painting a vivid picture directly through the testimonies of those who fought. It threw up some good insights on how the French viewed and perceived their British allies which was a revelation. Well worth a read for anyone interested in the history and humanity of WW1.

The cover was striking - and the idea of WWI book written from another side. Being an English speaker, I had not come across an English-language book of the French view. This is a soldiers' tale of the war and, while it does broadly follow a chronology, do not expect any behind the desk views or insights into the French high command.I am currently in the middle of Verdun - so book not finished yet. It is built up on extracts from soldiers' letters and remembrances. You meet the same guys, sometimes, several times only to find a few pages later that they were killed. There is a deep sense of sadness and you wonder how any of them survived the artillery barrages, the gas and killings. And you wonder what state they were in years later.There is warmth and good humour and a lot of little snippets and anecdotes. The links back to family through mail and parcels is very inteersting - lots of real human life.The soldiers come from all walks of French life - mainland and colonial. Most are ordinary punters but there are padres, intellectuals, anti-war guys and the ordinary punters. There are no extended soliloquays on war but sometimes a guy gives a simple description that sums up so much in a few simple words - the desccription of the looks on the faces of guys being shipped back out of Verdun to resting areas is so easy to visualise.Interesting now to get a German view! Probably only the uniforms are different......

Very well constructed history as told from first hand accounts of WW1 from the French point of view. Having read much of British actions in WW1this book has given me a fuller understanding of this conflict with its in depth description of the immense sacrifices made by France and how the ordinary people of this nation were effected by this terrible conflict.

Ian Sumner's newest work on the French army of 14-18 marks a more sociological turn for the author. Whereas his other works under the Osprey publishing company fall in-line with the concise campaign and material narratives so ubiquitously associated with those series, They Shall Not Pass provides a deeper look into the hearts and minds of the average French soldier, le poilu.Using a outlining chronological framework of events, the author sheds light on the experience of the men who did the lion's share of the fighting on the Allied side of the Western Front. Roughly 8.5 million men served in the French army from 1914-18, of whom 1.5 million were killed and 4 million wounded (with nearly a million of these severely disabled). The sacrifices made by the French people are difficult to fathom today.Sumner helps the reader to understand the mentality of the French soldier of 14-18 by presenting extracts of letters and diaries from dozens of soldiers. The book is not definitive in its scope and I would have liked to see more content on the daily life in the trenches. Yet with such a lack of English-language works on the subject, They Shall Not Pass is a welcome addition to any scholar of the Great War. For those interested in similar works, I would also recommend reading Stephane Audoin-Rouzeau's Men at War, 1914-1918 and Anthony Clayton's Paths of Glory.

Another good book about the French Army. If you have an interest in the activities of the French - who after all did a massive amount of the fighting in the Great War you should read this.

Only just started this book but I am hooked. There are a number of books looking at battles or campaigns from the other side. Having read the French accounts of Waterloo and been fascinated, I am finding this thoroughly a real eye-opener. Very well researched and easy to read.

Fascinating in depth story from the French perspective. Horrific story of bravery and the huge sacrifice of life given by France in the war not fully appreciated by people in the UK.

V good

Using first hand accounts of the French "poilus" (soldiers), Ian Sumner has created a marvelous compendium which superbly enlightens the experience of the French Army during World War One! I found this book to be very informative and revelatory! Summer states in the introduction that, "On average, 890 French soldiers died each day of the war." This gives the reader an idea of the immense sacrifice made by the French nation's manhood. Their perceptions and emotions as well as that of civilians are discerned in this tome. I highly recommend this volume as well as Sumner's "Kings of the Air: French Aces and Airmen of the Great War"!

While this book is very detailed regarding the battles of WWI is is more interested in how the common Frenchman behaved as a soldier. I think they have been given short shrift over the years regarding the sacrifices and heroism they displayed during WWl and this author seems to have focussed his work on this issue. Just started it and like it. Not too detailed on specific battles - there are other books for that.

I have read a lot of military history. I thought the British horrors of WW1 bad enough, especially the Somme. Then I read about Stalingrad, which was worse for both Russians and Germans, with horrific cruelty on both sides. Also the steamy, jungle battle the British waged against Japan in Burma and Malaya, left me feeling thank God I was never in such a conflict. Now this incredible tale of the French Army in WW1 caps everything. The French fought with such gallantry, courage in such terrible conditions as to defy description. Like a lot of armies they were I think let down by their Generals, who at times appear to be insane with their insistence on attack attack attack! I marvel at the French Poilu who in the end came out victorious with the help of 'Albion Perfide' and 'Cette Americains', who also fought bravely. Why were the Germans so bestial in both wars? Why did they keep starting such wars? When you meet Germans today they are really great people. They are a race with a wonderful history of music, science, art, history and philosophy. Historians have pointed out that there was tension between England and Germany over growing trade issues. That there was the Franco Prussian war of 1870 that never was really resolved. In fact as far back as Waterloo and Napoleon and the French Revolution, there was conflict between Prussia, England and France. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes may well have been an ultimate cause of these conflicts, inasmuch as this led to an overwhelming Catholicism in France which resulted in a revulsion from religion to atheism and communism in France.Anyway, I do not know why this all happened but I am thankful I was not in any army during those frightful battles!

I found this book very helpful. in giving me an idea of the hardships that soldiers. no matter the time or place often go through. Very well researched and insightful. This book does much to dispel the ignorant stereo-type of "french cowardice"

ok