The Anzacs

The story of Australia's Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors during the First World War and what a read it is. It tells the overall story of Australia during the war through the stories of individual men who served during the war. It covers nearly everything from the Infantry, to Nurses, Gallipoli, the Western Front and Palestine Campaigns, as well as the war at sea and in the air. It is intelligently written which makes it readable to both those interested in military history and to the general reader, a remarkable achievement.

There are only two things to be wary of, the first is that it is very much of the time it was written in, the 1970's and the attitudes of that period come through at times. Secondly there are a handful of gruesome show more photographs, only a handful but if that kind of thing affects you be aware.

This is regarded as a classic in Australian history writing and it's easy to see why. show less

Ms. Adam-Smith has captured the Australian soldiers of the First World War. It is not an anti-war, or a pro-war book. It is a prose poem to the bravery and humanity and foibles of the Digger.
As a Canadian, I do wish we had our equivalent, but we don't.
Well worth reading.