World War I

With the centennial of this "War to end all wars" coming soon, we felt that we should take the opportunity to offer a central page listing all our World War I materials, and also that we should prioritize publication of some of our inventory.

Please check back frequently if this subject is of interest to you.

As well, please let us know if military history is an interest of yours. We prioritize our publications largely on what we hear from people who visit our website.

Currently available:

Fountain County, Indiana

Fountain County's Activities in the World War

Compiled for the Fountain County Council of Defense by Verna Glascock. Many states, counties, and organizations published books or booklets after the war was over recounting their involvement in winning it. This is an excellent example of the genre from Indiana. More information about this publication is available on our Fountain County, Indiana page.

"The Fatherland" - a weekly

Prior to US entry in World War I, there was considerable discussion and debate in this country about the rightness or wrongness of entering the war on the side of the Allies. Intervention was particularly opposed by second generation German Americans, by second and third generation Irish Americans, and by the isolationist wing of the Republican party, in addition to a not-inconsequential pacifist movement in this country. Under the circumstances, it's not surprising that numerous English language propaganda publications appeared in the United States. This one had something for everyone. The cover story spoke of the skill of the German generals. The lead article was red meat for those who opposed the Wilson administration. A table of warships lost by the belligerents made it clear that the Germans and their allies were winning on the high seas. Other articles targeted Irish distaste for England, and the list goes on. 16+ pages, in PDF format; download now for $3.00.

In our collection, major projects not yet scheduled for publication:

The Story of the Great War

This five volume set, by Francis J. Reynolds, Allen L. Churchill, and Francis Trevelyan Miller, was published by P. F. Collier & Son in 1916. Approximately 3500 pages in length, it covers only the then-current perceptions about the run-up to the war, and the first two years of actual hostilities. It is of particular interest for several reasons: (1) the viewpoint did not yet reflect a United States eager to be involved, (2) it was not yet certain how the war would come out, and (3) the details presented are not viewed through the lens of history -- they are the then-current perception of the situation. Uncommonly for books of that era, there are abundant photographs, including many that are not in the usual compendiums of World War I history. If this is of interest to you, please let us know so we can prioritize it.