On one hand Twenty Five Million Ghosts by Steve Aitchsmith tells a great story about the lives lost by wars through history. This means not just the lives directly lost but as well about those that never existed because of it. I truly enjoyed this concept. There was a great downside to this book which I'll get out of the way first.
The story is told through the eyes of a modern day Londoner, a fact that will be rammed down the reader's throat time and time again. He describes his own life interluded with stories of his family members would fought in multiple wars. The overly loving manner of which London is described started out as something that seemed fitting to the character, however quickly it became ridiculous. It took the main character out of the story, he simply doesn't seem to belong in the book. However much you like a city this makes no sense and nearly made me stop reading.
To stop reading it wouldn't have been fair though for the writing itself is solid, even more so because the interludes where the family members during 'their' wartime get their stories told is amazing and a great read for anyone interested.

In the end this book was a double edged sword for me as one can read. As I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have a special love for London I would definitely pick up another book of this author. There is unmistakable quality in the writing.

Twenty Five Million Ghosts by Steve Aitchsmith is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is a very odd but appealing book. Somehow this man can just talk about his family and flow seamlessly from one thing to another and drag me along as if I am caught on a line. It is not only what he says but how he says things that is so intriguing. I feel I know his family, I am in the battle lines, I am looking through the wires at the concentration camps at the people, I am holding a leg to a dead soldier, and it all seems so real. He made me feel this. Just his simple rambling and gentle soothing ways lead me forward and back and I couldn't stop. I was helpless. I was trapped on the line and followed at he lead me to wars and back, to his many excursions on the side. It was a fascinating journey and the next thing I knew, the book ended. I was exhausted emotionally and needed time to process this long trip I never expected to take today. My heart ached, my chest throbbed, and my eyes stung. I don't think I could read this again but I am glad I read this, very glad. It opened me up, I felt something....more today. Thank you.

One mans look at his family and how all our histories are entwined. A look at how War has killed so many people and that so many people were not born because of war. This is a fascinating book which is obviously well researched and leaves the reader pondering how mankind have inflicted so much on each other. The concept of twenty five million is one I have never heard before. It is really interesting and something to think about.

Twenty Five Million Ghosts tells the story of the author's past relatives experiences throughout wars and is a tribute to those who have been lost, failed to exist, or damaged due to wars. I found this to be a really interesting and read it in a couple of hours. It was written well and the main characters are likeable. The lasting impression has left me thinking philosophically about a concept I had never considered before.

The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback. (via NetGalley)