Truce

This is the story of the First World War, focusing on one amazing event: a Christmas truce where the soldiers themselves stopped fighting spontaneously, met in the middle of the battlefield, and exchanged gifts and sang carols together... while the military leaders were demanding that they fight

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and threatening them with court-martial if they disobeyed. This book is much more than the story of that truce, though. It explains how the war began, with details from the assassination of Austria's Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, to the plotting of Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm to push Austria's Emperor Franz Joseph into bombing Serbian troops on July 29, 1914. From that point on, the countries of Europe joined one side or the other, and all involved were convinced they could have a quick war and get things settled. But as Murphy shows us, they had access to far more powerful weapons than they had in previous wars, and their military tactics were designed for far less destructive weapons. By December, the troops had dug a network of trenches to protect themselves, and the war was at a standstill. Tired, hungry, and feeling that the leadership had failed them, the soldiers on both sides noticed that during quiet times, they could each hear the other side laughing, chatting and occasionally singing... and maybe they had more in common with each other than their governments would like them to think. The Christmas truces were the result of that. The photos and maps included are excellent, especially the ones from Christmas Day. No official military photographers were there, and the photos are from the troops themselves. 7th grade and up.

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Jim Murphy's research and writing bring to life the beginnings of World War I, its causes, terrible miscalculations and what could have been an early end to the war. During the first few months of the Great War, fighting bogged down into trench warfare. Fighting cold and despair on both sides of

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the Front Line, German, English, French and Belgian soldiers called their own truce despite orders from senior officers at Christmas time. For some units, this truce lasted until nearly Easter of 1915. The historical illustrations and photographs coupled with a clear, narrative style and large text, make this an excellent introduction to the details of the beginning of World War I. While it is written for middle school age students, this would work well as an easy introduction for senior students as well.

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This is a book for young adults, but sophisticated enough for any age, about various opposing military units in World War I which decided to stop fighting on Christmas Day in 1914, sang carols to each other across the trenches, and even went so far as climb out of the trenches, exchange food and

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souvenirs for each others’ kids and even in some instances celebrate together. Needless to say, the military commanders were quite unhappy about this fraternizing with the enemy, had it stopped as soon as they could and made sure nothing like it happened next year. A few units apparently tried, but heavy losses suffered by both sides during the elapsed year, as much as the orders, made the efforts nowhere as widespread as the first year. The author also gives a wider picture of the war, such as pointing out that while new powerful weapons had just been invented, no adequate defenses had evolved to match them, which accounted for so many dead, in addition to weather conditions.

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"[I]f I had my way, some person in authority would proclaim that Christmas will not be celebrated this year....Enemy, Death, and a Christmas tree - they cannot live so close together." German Captain Rudolf Binding (from Truce)

Jim Murphy's Truce, tells the remarkable true story of the spontaneous

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truces that broke out all along the entrenched battle lines of Europe in December, 1914. It is estimated that tens of thousands of British, German and Belgian soldiers took part in the cease-fires that lasted, in some instances, for several weeks. More than a cessation of hostilities, the hiatus was almost joyful as soldiers fraternized with each other - singing, exchanging gifts, and taking photos.

In six chapters, Murphy provides ample background information to give meaning and context to the remarkable occurrence of the many spontaneous truces and celebrations. One chapter recounts enemy soldiers praying together, translating the sermon from English to German, and burying their dead in solemn ceremonies. In another instance, German and British soldiers sing Christmas carols, alternating verses, one in English, one in German, and then joining in Latin to sing Adeste Fideles.

The truces ended, not because the men desired to resume fighting, but rather, because they could no longer hold out against the will of their commanders.

"The German High Command ... issued a terse order: "Commander Second Army directs that informal understandings with enemy are to cease. Officers ...allowing them are to be brought before a court-martial." In some areas, these orders had immediate results. British private Bernard Brookes was standing guard at midnight on December 25 when "our artillery sent over ... four shells of small caliber to let them know that the truce, at which the whole world would wonder, was ended, and it its place, Death and Bloodshed would once again reign supreme." The Germans countered with an artillery barrage of their own."

The award-winning, Murphy, has meticulously researched his topic, and includes a Timeline, Notes and Sources, More about World War I, an Index, and a wealth of photographs, maps, period art and newspapers. The Epilogue, while factual, is more editorial than informational in nature.

The text is large and sepia-toned, to match the many accompanying photographs. Photographs of the desolate and razor-wired No Man's Land and the hideous trench conditions offer a stark contrast to those of smiling enemy soldiers posing for posterity.

To read this story in the men's' own words, is both compelling and thought-provoking. Readers will not come away unaffected.

Best for ages 10 and up. Truce should be a Sibert Medal contender.

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Content: Truce tells the true story of how the German and British troops called a Christmas truce and ceased fighting for Christmas day during WWI. The book begins with explaining the reasons and causes of the war in order for readers to understand how strange and miraculous this temporary truce

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was.

My reaction: I have been fascinated by the Christmas truce ever since I first heard Garth Brooks sing “Belleau Wood” as a child. This book was very well written and even someone with extremely limited knowledge of WWI is able to get a complete (and remarkably unbiased) perspective through this book.

Recommended Age Level: 11+

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Short Summary: A powerful story about soldiers in world war 1 amidst violence and fighting and disease in trenches. Then, before Christmas, all of the soldiers (even though they were enemies) got together and celebrated Christmas by exchanging gifts, eating together, and singing and dancing in "no

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man's land"

personal reflection: This is a good reminder that there is kindness out there, and that even enemies in the wrath of war are people too. I think it was an unexpected twist from the beginning description of the horrid war conditions, and I think it would be an awesome independent read for a teen.

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This is a close-up view of the Great War, World War I, and the extraordinary story of the December 25, 1914 truce between German and British soldiers as they laid down their weapons and met in No Man's Land to celebrate Christmas.

Relates the background of trench warfare on the Western Front during World War I, the "Great War" and the factors which led to enlisted men on all sides declaring an armistice to celebrate "peace on earth" at Christmastime, 1914.

Great story of a human moment during World War I. This book can be enjoyed by students as well as adults alike. I particularly enjoyed the book, and feel it would be great to use in a classroom to teach about the human factor of war.

On July 29th 1914, the world’s peace was shattered as the artillery of the Austria-Hungary Empire began shelling the troops of the country to its south. What followed was like a row of falling dominoes as one European country after another rushed into war. Soon most of Europe was fighting in this

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calamitous war that could have been avoided. This was, of course, the First World War.
But who could have guessed that on December 25 the troops would openly defy their commanding officers by stopping the fighting and having a spontaneous celebration of Christmas with their "enemies"?

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While this book is in the Juvenile section of the library, I have to say it's the best book on WWI (or any war) that I've ever read. The causes and consequences of WWI are so much clearer to me; I could probably even carry on a lengthy discussion about it. I have read textbook chapters about WWI

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both in high school and college, and once I started this text, I felt like I didn't know a THING about it. So, I do recommend this to adults who love history but don't necessarily love reading adult nonfiction books about history.

As for the targeted audience: this book will be just right for someone who is at a solid middle school reading level. The vocabulary is 7-9th grade (according to Oxford-Sadlier), and it is extremely well written and totally fascinating. The reader learns how the public was misled to support the war, how the leaders blundered here and there, how the war defied expectations and how it led to trench warfare, what the Western Front was actually like, and how the miraculous Christmas truce came about and how it was forcefully ended. The author even provides commentary in the Epilogue on how there are similar issues with the Iraq war. Definitely the author is anti-war but very interested in it, and he succeeded in educating me without boring me; war is my least favorite historical topic.

Well, I recommend it!

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If women ruled the world would this war have happened? I don't recall studying WWI much as a student so to understand the false pretense that started this war was pretty shocking.

This book would be a great book to introduce wars and the history of warfare. It gives the history leading up to WWI and also the different government plans. Students who are interested in wars and social studies will like this book and may understand it better. The best age would be for 7th

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graders. Students can learn from this book and use for informational background when learning about wars.

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An in depth look at the events that led up to WWI and one day when the soldiers on both sides laid down their weapons to celebrate Christmas.

Recounts the World War I Christmas truce along the Western front trenches between the English and German troops.

An excellent companion to the 2005 French film, Joyeux Noël. This is a must read for anyone who knows little to nothing about World War One or knows a great deal about this war in our history. In other words everyone should read it! It is a travesty we are not taught more about the 'war to end all

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wars'. We need to hear more stories like this one that humanize the components of warfare beyond a "good guy" and a "bad guy".

Jim Murphy does a tremendous service for readers with not only focusing on the Christmas Truce, but also detailing precursors to the war and leading into it.

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Many soldiers were under the impression that war would be quick and glorious. With the use of heavily artillery much of Europe was a wasteland. By December 1914, more than one million soldiers have been killed. By December the opposing troops began to conduct friendly exchanges; songs, food, talk,

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information or items. On December 25, 1914 many soldiers offered their peace and participated in friendly exchanges. Many officers and soldiers defied orders and refused to fight. The war continued for another four years. The United States entered the war in 1917. The war ended in 1918. Over 8 million soldiers were killed. Over 6.5 million civilians killed.

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Although the writing of this book is well done and the story touching, I only gave this 3 out of 5 because I found it difficult to wrap my head around the concept of being humane one day and then continuing warfare the next. The author packs a lot of information into the 115 pages of this

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narrative. The best part is the archival photos that support the historical events discussed in this book. Readers who like history, wartime tales and stories that touch the heart may like this book. It is suitable for upper elementary readers to adults - basically anyone who can grasp the seriousness of war and its affects. The drawings throughout the book also add to its appeal as does the strong lesson of acceptance.

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The story of how soldiers in World War I ignored the commands of their officers to enjoy a holiday truce with the opposing side on Christmas 1914.