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Passchendaele

A New History

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Passchendaele

By: Nick Lloyd
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Passchendaele by Nick Lloyd, read by Mark Elstob.

Between July and November 1917, in a small corner of Belgium, more than 500,000 men were killed or maimed, gassed or drowned - and many of the bodies were never found. The Ypres offensive represents the modern impression of the First World War: splintered trees, water-filled craters, muddy shell-holes.

The climax was one of the worst battles of both world wars: Passchendaele. The village fell eventually, only for the whole offensive to be called off. But, as Nick Lloyd shows, notably through previously unexamined German documents, it put the Allies nearer to a major turning point in the war than we have ever imagined.

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Critic reviews

A timely re-appraisal . . . a masterpiece (General Lord Richard Dannatt)
Sweeps aside mythology and provides a rational explanation and cool description of what took place (Max Hastings)
Nick Lloyd has unearthed a mass of new material for this harrowing account of one of the most infamous engagements of the Great War (Ian Thomson)
Meticulously researched . . . A harrowing and important history (PD Smith)
With clean, clear and often eviscerating writing, Nick Lloyd compels us to re-evaluate Passchendaele and all that word conjures (Paul Gross, director and star of the film 'Passchendaele')
Rigorously researched . . . one of the great features of this excellent book, absent from too many less rigorous histories of events in the First World War, is a clear account of how things were on the German side, and how the British attack not only gained ground, but devastated German morale . . . Lloyd's research is superb; the book is well-illustrated with photographs and maps; he brings the battle and its political context vividly to life . . . this is in almost every respect a model of what a work of military history should be, and is now perhaps the definitive account of this phase of the war on the Western Front (Simon Heffer)
I thought it both precise and compassionate - a properly definitive history, with clear sightlines from the strategic planning, to the horror of the battle itself from both sides, through to its consequences for the war as it entered its complex final phase (Dr Emily Mayhew)
A fresh and thorough examination of the events of July to November 1917 is definitely needed. Dr Nick Lloyd has achieved this in his book Passchendaele: A New History, an account that is both scholarly and gripping. (Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies, Massey University)
Confirms his position among the best young scholars of WWI in this comprehensively researched, convincingly presented analysis of the still-controversial 1917 battle of Passchendaele . . .Lloyd's thesis is controversial, but his scholarship makes it impossible to dismiss
His narrative of the campaign is superb and written with clarity and dispassion. He teaches military history at King's College London and has done his research thoroughly in German and Allied archives. It is fascinating to know the preoccupations, hopes and plans of the Kaiser ("The English must be made to grovel") and his generals, and to hear the voices of German frontline soldiers (Lawrence James)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a great piece of work which comprehensively covers the most gruesome battle of WW1. All the more impressive by being written 100 years after the event.
The narration was clear and appropriate to the subject, although I did wince at his ‘foreign ‘ accents .

Passchendaele’s part in history fully researched

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This is a well-written and thoroughly researched book that offers a detailed and balanced account of the Third Battle of Ypres. Rather than reducing the campaign to the familiar “mud and blood” narrative, it seriously engages with the key question of whether the battle was truly futile. By highlighting the relative successes of Third Ypres, the author effectively challenges that interpretation.
Particularly refreshing is the nuanced treatment of General Plumer, whose reputation here runs counter to the often dismissive view of higher command. The book provides a fair and measured assessment of all the senior commanders, carefully examining how they navigated the immense operational and environmental challenges of the battle.
Equally valuable is the sustained attention given to the German perspective, which adds depth and context and avoids a one-sided account. The result is a study that is both insightful and engaging, without being inaccessible to the general reader. I would highly recommend it.

More Than Futility: A Fresh Look at the Third Battle of Ypres

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The narrative was well paced and a balanced view I felt of both side’s positions

A well paced history

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A very good book on a difficult subject when a new point of view given

a very good book

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This book was magnificent at reviewing a very divisive and misunderstood battle.

The conclusions plaudits and blame are clear and well evidence.

The story of the battle, the reasons for it and it's command and conduct are well explored and polite across in a manner that doesn't require a previous knowledge of the subject, this opens the book and conversation about its conclusions to a whole new audience.

A realistic reassessment

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