The Missing of the Somme Audiobook

" With the centenary of The Great War approaching I am sure there will be a revival of interest in literature related to it. Personally I like social histories of the individuals involved, and the untold stories of the common man and their role in history. I like Dyer, he is always interesting and has a very different perspective on the world to many others, his style is unconventional, whatever that actually is. this book is a meditation on remembrance, of the common man and the sacrifice made during the Great War and how we commemorate their memory. The First World War was really the first war where the individual's stories have been told rather than from the perspective of the Generals and Colonels in charge and the sweep of politics, and I guess the first conflict in modernity that was well reported and broadcast. Dyer does lose his way here at times, and goes off on a ramble, but throughout it is an interesting insight in to our collective memory and how we choose to celebrate, commemorate and remember. Like all history it is being constantly revised, no doubt over the next few years there will be new interpretations of The Great War. "

" I thought this was beautiful and poetic. It's more like an essay that's partly autobiographical and partly historical and partly philosophical. It sounds like it could be self-indulgent but it's not. It's wonderful. "

" A very poignant study of the Great war (First world war) and aftereffects through all the post war symbols like memorials, art, cemetery, literature etc. This is an anti-war war literature. A brilliant work. "

" At first this felt like a bit of a "Things They Carried" rip-off, but once Dyer actually delves into the history, he presents a fascinating analysis of the remembrance and commemoration of WWI, and its importance in the modern British mindset. "

" Superb narrative infused with perception and criticism. Focus rich with various elements: cultural comments, revision, literary analysis. Surprising! "

" Interesting look at WWI and what it's come to mean "

" A thoughtful approach to war "

" I wish I'd known about this book when I directed Journey's End. Dyer is sympathetic, without being sentimental, and the result is an honest account of how we memorialize great tragedy. "

" Very similar to The Great War and Modern Memory, only more so. "

" Geoff Dyer is always interesting... always worth the read. "

" This book discussed memorials based on the horrific casulaties in the Great War (WWI). It was very disjointed to read and depressing. "

" History, literary criticism, and travelogue all in one. A vitally important view of a vitally important moment for framing the remainder of the 20th century. "

" Geoff Dyer is his own literary form. This reflection on the Great War, the act of rememberance itself, is a part meditation, part rage, and all beautifully rendered. "

" Much of this short book is rather rambling and impressionistic and frankly I didn't really care for it. The third star here is for the final few pages about the author's visit to Thiepval, the memorial to the men of the title (over 70,000 of them), which are quite stunning. "

" An elegant examination of "remembrance" of the Great War. One of the best books I've read. "

" Much of this short book is rather rambling and impressionistic and frankly I didn't really care for it. The third star here is for the final few pages about the author's visit to Thiepval, the memorial to the men of the title (over 70,000 of them) and are quite stunning. "

" Superb narrative infused with perception and criticism. Focus rich with various elements: cultural comments, revision, literary analysis. Surprising! "