(Eng ed 20–10378)
“Alexander von Kluck, generaloberst, has written a book about his Belgian and French adventure. It was completed in February, 1918, on the eve of the great German offensive in Picardy. It is the personal observations, impressions and opinions of a commanding general who reviews his own actions in the quietude of his study and illustrates them with the orders issued to him and by him, but with very little information beyond the manoeuvres of his own army in the field and almost none of the enemy. Evidently the sub-title to the book, ‘The battle of the Marne,’ is a characterization of the British editors, for the author calls it ‘The battle on the Ourcq’ and devotes the last third of the book to it. Still, if the British editors have given the book a title which shall more pointedly appeal to readers of English, they have also furnished the book with something far more important: Footnotes by the experts of the Committee of imperial defense. These notes check up von Kluck’s data, correct his errors, and often qualify his conclusions.”—N Y Times
“His book lacks the attractive personality and humor of Ludendorff’s, the intimate observations of von Hindenburg’s. There is nothing picturesque about it. All the same, as has been said, the military historian will find therein a mine of academic information which he cannot afford to leave unexplored.” Walter Littlefield
+ − N Y Times 25:19 Jl 25 ’20 2650w Sat R 130:12 Jl 3 ’20 1150w
“A valuable contribution to military history.”
+ Spec 124:729 My 29 ’20 430w
KNAPPEN, THEODORE MACFARLANE. Wings of war; with an introd. by D. W. Taylor. il *$2.50 Putnam 940.44
20–15470
“This book describes in detail the contribution made by the United States to aircraft invention, engineering and production during the world war. Five of the most important chapters are devoted to the origin, development and production of the famous Liberty engine. Mr Knappen is among those who believe that in spite of all the revelation of Congressional investigations made during the past two years the aircraft achievements of our government, considering our unpreparedness at the outset, were highly creditable.”—R of Rs