And the World Went Dark: An Illustrated Interpretation of the Great War

Description

This beautiful and evocative book gives an illustrated overview of the First World War, on land, on sea and in the air. With original drawings in full colour, Steven Patricia uses 30 years' experience as a historical illustrator to give an informative and insightful account of the war, portraying the human faces of the participants and capturing moments in time with a vividness and immediacy that brings home both the emotional impact and the tragedy of war. Accompanied by soldier's diary extracts and other contemporary literature, there are many drawings of the hardware of war: aircraft and airships, submarines and ships, guns and grenades. We also get a glimpse of weary officers relaxing in an RAF mess, see panicking sailors swimming desperately away from a sinking ship, soldiers stumbling across no-man's land, and the dramatic scene of one of last great cavalry charges of any war, in Egypt. The role of animals is featured, including the importance of horses and rescue and messenger dogs. The text gives a concise introduction to the events of the war and why it started, with maps of the different fronts where fighting took place and a diagram of a trench system. Designed for readers with little familiarity of the conflict, this is a unique and unmissable book in the centenary of the `war to end all wars'.

Steve Patricia is an artist, architect, and historian with 30 years of experience as a historical illustrator. His background in fine arts combines the creativity of artistic representation with an accurate and rigorous portrayal of real places, objects, people and events. His clients have included the National Park Service, The National Geographic Society, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Scientific American and a number of publishers. Steve has his studio on his historic farm in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife and their several dogs, cats and horses.

For anyone - young or old - seeking a short, accessible and authoritative introduction to the subject, this unique book is an ideal starting point. * David J.A. Stone, British military historian, author and former soldier * Books like this make us think about the war in deeper terms than mere flags, nationality or kit and caboodle. This book is about people and the human experience. It is not superficial. It all serves to add depth to our collective remembrance, and this is no bad thing...and I am happy to give it the thumbs up. * War History Online * These beautiful, evocative paintings are almost like those that directors use in those brilliant picture books that seem to accompany the blockbuster films we are privileged to see in modern cinema. Absoutely breathtaking. * Books Monthly *