Gentlemen, Mr. Thompson’s book is the second imp...

2009-07-16T15:43:06.265-07:00

Gentlemen,

Mr. Thompson’s book is the second important treatise in the English language of the Italian front in WWI, the first being “Isonzo”:The Forgotten Sacrifice of the Great War” by John R. Schindler (PhD 1995, McMasters University). Both books are Austro-centric, quite condescending and patronizing toward the Italian war effort in terms of Italian diplomacy, military strategy, and the general conduct of the war. They both seem to be oblivious as to German/Austrian/Italian diplomatic interactions of the preceding 30 years prior to the war. As such they totally discount the compelling reasons for Italy’s offensive actions against Austria (assuming there are verv compelling reasons to go to war). The works are at the very least riddled with historical and geographical inaccuracies, lack appreciation for diplomatic nuances, bereft of any comprehension of extant military strategy of the early 20th century, devoid of any knowledge of European history, and sadly, manifestly Italophobic. For starters, to understand Italian participation in the First World War (WWI), you need to read German/Austrian/Italian military archives. In addition, it is useful to find first hand accounts by military attaches, local historians, and member of the diplomatic corps. Mr Thompson has done little of either and John Schindler had done even less; they can’t speak either of the languages and are forced to read translations. Like most ignoramuses, Mr Goulden doesn’t realize how ignorant he really is and these works won’t reverse his deficiencies.

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Gentlemen, Mr. Thompson’s book is the second imp...