The White War: Life And Death On The Italian Front 1915-1918

Mark Thompson

Editions

Review

This is a detailed but fascinating study of a rarely considered aspect of WW1, which explains a great deal about contemporary Italy and Central Europe, as well as the war itself.  Italy was the only straightforwardly aggressive combatant: a million lives were lost for just a few miles of territory in the mountains behind Trieste.  As the same ground was fought over again and again, the book feels a little repetitive at moments (the 12th battle of the Isonzo...), but Thompson in fact keeps the pace up remarkably.  It makes the 'Donkeys' of the Western Front look like master strategists with deep concern for the welfare of their troops.  The death throes of the Habsburg Empire seem brave and dignified here, while the Italian attempts to define themselves as a nation appear gross.  Southern Europe is founded on the result. A must for anyone interested in modern Italy, or military history anywhere - review by John de Falbe