Geoff Bridger's 'Great War Handbook' answers many of the basic questions newcomers ask when confronted by this enormous and challenging subject – not only what happened and why, but what was the Great War like for ordinary soldiers who were caught up in it. He describes the conditions the soldiers endured, the deadly risks they ran, their daily routines and the small roles they played in the complex military machine they were part of. His comprehensive survey of every aspect of the soldier's life, from recruitment and training, through the experience of battle and its appalling aftermath, is an essential guide for students, family historians, teachers and anyone who is eager to gain an all-round understanding of the nature of the conflict. SELLING POINTS: . Authoritative introduction to the Great War . Insight into army life and the experiences of ordinary soldiers . Covers army organisation, trench warfare, weapons, equipment, special units, military medicine, casualties . Guide to research resources in archives, museums, libraries . Invaluable information for students, family historians, teachers . Essential advice on battlefield visits 40-50 b/w photographs integrated