"Twelve Days on the Somme: A Memoir of the Trenches, 1916", by Sidney Rogerson

Reading this account of World War I puts you right there.  It is written by someone with first hand knowledge of what it was like to be in the frontline trenches of war.  You experience with Rogers the cold and the hunger these men endured.  You feel the terror they carried with them day after day and night after night with no end in sight.  

Though Rogers does not dwell on these horrors, his skillful and articulate storytelling brings you front and center with him and his regiment.  Through him we experience endless days of monotony as they dig the trenches in which they are expected to live in on the frontlines, with the threat of death always hanging over you. 

Rogers does not glorify the war, nor does he condone the belief that war is a waste and accomplishes very little for a very high price.  He seems to take the middle ground, seeing that at times war is necessary and we must endure it.  He tells how these men under the worst possible conditions, bond and come together, lifting each others spirits and solidify friendships that in other times and other places would never occur. 

If you are a war buff and enjoy frontline narratives you will enjoy this book.  It is well written, extremely informative and reads smoothly.  I recommend this to all fans of memoirs and histories of war.

Pen and Sword always publish well research and accessible books. Here is yet another. A difficult subject but comprehensively covered. I learned so much about fighting on the Somme. This was so relevant  to me as my great grandfather died here in those twelve days. He was 47 years and two days old and left a wife and five children. I felt so connected to these events as I read that I shall be buying my own a hard copy when it is published in December.

An interesting read about trench warfare in WW1. While the personal story was good, the book did not have a lot of action. The individuals endured more hardship from the weather and lack of supplies than they did from the enemy.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.