War readings

Preface

The readings included in this volume have been selected by Mrs. Dana C. Munro, assisted by Mrs. Christian Gauss, Mrs. George A. Hulett, and Mrs. Frank A. Fetter, all of Princeton. For this purpose they have read literally hundreds of volumes written about the War by actual participants and have chosen the most interesting parts.

They have attempted to select the best verses written about the War and a few patriotic poems which every American knows, or should know. They have tried to illustrate as many phases of the War and of the activities connected with it, as it is possible to do in such a small volume as this. They also sought out passages which would show the heroic deeds of those who have been aiding behind the lines. With a few exceptions, all the accounts have been written by those actually engaged in the service in some capacity. As Ruskin wrote in "Stones of Venice," "the only history worth reading is that written at the time of which it treats, the history of what was done and seen, heard out of the mouths of the men who did and saw. One fresh draft of such history is worth more than a thousand volumes of abstracts and reasonings, and suppositions and theories."

Horrors and details of suffering have been omitted as out of place in a volume intended for use in scho6ls. For the same reason, some slight omissions and changes have been made in some of the selections. Also in some passages parts of less interest have been left out in order to make it possible to include the remainder in this volume.

Authors and publishers have been generous in giving permission for the use of their writings and books for this patriotic purpose. Only a very few refused permission and, consequently.

iv PREFACE

almost all of the passages which were originally selected as the best are in this volume. We hope that the accounts here given will lead many to read the volumes from which these are taken. Practically all of the books published in English by participants before May 1, 1918, have been examined, and a wise and careful selection has been made of the best descriptions for boys and girls.

An interesting series of reproductions of war posters that have been issued in the Allied countries at various times, has been distributed through the book. While not illustrating the text, they are of great interest as an expression of certain phases of the war spirit in the countries where they appeared.

The board expresses its gratitude to Doctor E. C. Richardson, to Doctor A. E. Morse, and other officials of the Princeton University Library, for their constant assistance; to Professor R. C. Clark, of the University of Oregon, for his painstaking care in preparing the introductory notes and for reading the proof; above all to Mrs. Munro and the other ladies who in addition to their other "War work" have given their time and labor so unstintingly.

For the National Board for Historical Service.