Book review: "The Russian Army of the First World War" - Nik Cornish

[huevans]

I am 90% of the way through this 200+ page book and can recommend it highly. It presents an up to date overview of all Russian operations in the 1914-1917 period including Tannenberg-Masuria, the Great Retreat, Brusilov and operations under the Kerensky government. Of particular curiosity is the chapter on operations in the Caucasus and in Turkey, including the aborted Cossack expedition to relieve Townshend at Kut.

While the book is too general to go into detail at any point, it covers numerous areas that are difficult to research in English and appears to provide a balanced and well researched account, free of traditional biases. A large number of illustrations and specialist chapters on artillery and navy are offered.

I am just finishing up the chapter on attempted operations under the Kerensky government and the rise to prominence of Kornilov.

Whole-heartedly recommended for any student of World War 1 of BoB wargaming.

[Helen]

I concur, a very informative book for folks who love their Russian adventures.

Helen

[Funghy-Fipps]

A most informative and inspiring book indeed!  I purchased my copy only a couple of months ago and had it read in under a week.  The photographs alone - many rare, one presumes -  make it worthy of purchase.

[johnl5555]

Anyone have any other Eastern front books to suggest? I have Tannenburg by Showlater, Battles East and a few others but am looking for more good books.

Thanks,

John

[Ignatieff]

I'm there.  Great suggestion

[Poliorketes]

THank you for the tip, I'm always fond of reviews about WW1 eastern front books.

[Adam]

Thanks for the review, huevans. Coincidently I just found one copy of the book for only £8 in the Wigan branch of the Book Clearance Centre. I wouldn't go to the trouble of going to one just to look for that as they seen to get odd ones and twos of books, including some very good ones, but if you're shopping where there is one it is worth a look. It's not just the usual 'Big encyclopedia of knives' kind of stuff either. I've found a couple of decent ww1 books in there including 'To conquer hell' about the AEF in 1918, which was a very interesting, and moving, read. There is a Book Clearance Centre in Liverpool and a few other North West towns aswell.

[huevans]

The Brusilov offensive by Timothy C. Dowling is a good examination of this particular campaign. And as well, the 70's classic "The Eastern Front" by Norman Stone.

Books are few and far between. While there has been a resurgence of works on the British Army in 14-18, the same explosion has not reached the Russian army and the Eastern Front and likely - I am afraid - never will.