One of the more interesting aspects of bringing the war back to the people at home is the use of illustrations and paintings to provide a look at what things are like. These are often more evocative than a photograph, for these can focus on a situation much better than a photo, which tends to include everything one sees and so loses that ability to concentrate on a single area.

These illustrations were often provided to various newspapers and periodicals by soldiers at the front lines, who would sit down after a battle or during the long wait between events and pen or paint what they saw. Often humorous, sometimes satirical, but always poignant, these illustrations were a way for the people back home to see how things were going on the front.

This collection of 250 illustrations from the archives of the Illustrated London News has been carefully selected as the best of the batch. Most of these illustrations have not had public viewing for over 90 years.

The book is divided into several sections including among them 'Drawing the Enemy', 'Life in the Trenches', 'Reporting and Censorship', Women in the War', 'Land, Sea and Air', and 'Victory and Peace'.  The landscape format of the book as well as the superlative printing on thick, quality paper makes this a volume that you will cherish for years to come. I found it a fascinating look back at what life was like during those times. It is a book I can most highly recommend to you.

April 2008

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