Loved this book. Lots of interesting information to digest. This is a great read for anyone who loves to read about history. Very well written

It was really fascinating to think about German POW's in Britain. I tend to spend a lot of time reading WWII related material, and so I don't often think too much about what things look like from the other side, before the Germans really became famous as captors. This was an eye-opening, if at times a bit acerbic, account of a little remembered history.

A lot of mainstream books tend to glance over this topic without going into much detail, and I appreciated that this book really went into a greater depth describing these events. The research that went into this was obviously extensive and the writing was good and had an easy to follow flow.

I liked that there were stories about individual people as well as an overall history of how these men came to be where they were. I thought the author did a good job of bringing the reader a clear picture of life in a British POW camp and allowing us to experience the sights and sounds of years gone by.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in WWI and the lesser covered topics that often escape popular view.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, Provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was very insightful for me, someone who's interested in history and this specific period of history, though it's one that's very hard for me to study, because of all the dehumanization that occurred during the ~5 years it lasted, though I don't think that's something personal, but more general. Of course, I won't say this was an enjoyable reading, as I don't feel that diving into this topic can be something to be enjoyed, but it was very informative and did answer and raise many questions, which I think is the point for that kind of work.

The book is partially a Phd project and an old book written after the German Prisoners went back to Germany and been translated into English. found the book very interesting and gives an insight into being a German prisoner based in the northern camp of Skipton (Yorkshire) through the hardships and dealing with British Administration

"During the First World War, nearly 9 million of the 70 million soldiers mobilised globally spent time in enemy captivity." This statistic surprised me, as did many in this fascinating and eye-opening book written about the German officers held in a prison camp in Skipton, Yorkshire. I had no clue this particular place existed. But I do now. The first officers arrived in January, 1918 to a place which was initially used as a military training camp. Evidently 916 were held over a period of nearly two years. Interestingly, structures and materials were sold after taken down in 1920.

This historical account is largely comprised of writings by the officers themselves, always compelling, often humorous. We are taken through daily activities in this POW camp through their recorded details which are thankfully now put together here. And oh, what stories! They include a witty ode to an iron bed frame, sordid food descriptions and rations, joyful letter days, putting on plays and festivals, shower rituals (including the funny fake shower officers and the infernal trumpet!), vegetable crop failures, beautiful walks in the countryside, prisoneritis (what a sense of humour!), latrines (not what you think), library book loans, temporary interior decorating a nook, church services and many officers' views on God, influenza, chicken "surprise", all superbly written.

Finally, FINALLY after what must have felt like decades, the officers were told they would be leaving after war's end. But that turned out not to be true. Not yet. Of course this affected everything from food supplies to staff. They eventually returned home but not before suffering that one last agony.

Many things will be memorable to me including the officers' illustrations and stories and also the fact that though Germans weren't exactly known for their compassion, they truly cared about their comrades, especially when several died to influenza. Still, it seems to me that this camp was not nearly as frightful as many I've read about as there was a certain semblance of freedom. This was acknowledged in this book.

Readers who are intrigued by the war, especially from the POW point of view, should read this. You will learn a LOT. Many questions I had were answered, including loads I hadn't even contemplated. Am I ever glad this was written!

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this extraordinary book in return for an honest review. Much appreciated. I love to learn and this book taught me so much about human nature.