I’m currently reading The Guns Of August by Barbara Tuchman, about the run-up to WWI. It’s fascinating reading — more compelling, as a back-cover blurb says, than fiction — and brilliantly written. To understand just how much of war, and so much of subsequent twentieth-century history, rests on nuances of a general’s personality or on pettiness of politicians…it’s frightening and humanizing at once.
After this I think I’ll re-read A Short History Of WWI by Jim Stokesbury (to cover the bulk of the war itself) and then Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan. Then I have to find a WWII equivalent of The Guns Of August; I find the buildup to war the most interesting facet.
The afore-mentioned Jim Stokesbury was my uncle; a writer and professor of history at Acadia University, husband to my father’s sister, he died over a decade ago following an car accident. I was in university at the time, barely 20 years old. As time goes by I miss him more and more.
I’d only see him once a year, usually; on Boxing Day my father’s side of the family has a reunion, at which the routine is always the same: arrive, catch up with relatives, eat a great deal, and finally play Trivial Pursuit. Jim, being a history professor and a smart man in general, was fearsome at the game; being a sharp wit, he was equally fearsome if he set his mind to teasing you. I never thought of any of my aunts or uncles as being my “favourites”, but I suppose had I he would have been one. He made several model airplanes (building them was his hobby) for me when I was younger, his beautiful house overlooking the Annapolis Valley was always fun to visit, and he was always quick with a dry quip. Even as a kid I admired his mind; most of my childhood was spent trying to be as smart as my brothers and my parents, but for one day a year I’d want desperately to be as smart as my uncle Jim.
Now, as I read The Guns Of August, written in a readable style which surely informed my uncle’s, I find myself missing him more than ever. I want to email him and trade snarky comments about Joffre, or ask him whether the hunt for the Goeben really shaped Middle Eastern events for the next 90 years. I want to see my dad open his latest book on Christmas morning. I want to beat him at Trivial Pursuit.
Now, nearly twelve years after his death, I’d settle for a dry quip.
[tags]the guns of august, paris 1919, james stokesbury[/tags]
Skirl | Dan Dickinson 
You’re going to make me cry.
I can’t tell if you’re being sincere or sarcastic.
Well said about Jim. I feel exactly the same way. I remember many of those same moments with same degree of fondness.
If you’re looking for another fascinating read that reflects newer research than Tuchman’s book from the 60’s, try “Europe’s Last Summer” by David Fromkin. He grapples (and I believe succeeds) with the question “How did the war start?”
I just stumbled upon your post about your uncle Jim. I was honored to have taken two history elective courses at Acadia during my undergraduate science degree in the late 80s/early 90s, both from your uncle, Dr. Stokesbury. He made a tremendous impression on me during those formative academic years and I still consider him, by far, the best professor that I ever had.
His lectures were an amazing experience. He kept us absolutely transfixed for the full hour and I always looked forward to attending his classes. Perhaps, his most impressive skill was in the attention to detail that he gave when grading writing assignments. Nothing was missed and it was always a joy to read his tiny written comments at the end of each paper. My favorite was on my first book review when he wrote, “you use commas like each one cost you money”. That still makes me smile.
It was a privilege to have known him. Thank you for this post.
LD,
Thanks for your comment. Very kind of you. Now, as I read books about the run-up to WWII (kind of a later equivalent to The Guns Of August) I find myself missing Jim again, just as much as I did when I wrote this.
Dan
Hi Dan,
Your mother sent me an e-mail to let me know about your comments. Very touching to read what you thought about Dad. One of his old model club friends showed up the other day with a VHS tape he had made (about 14 years ago?) of the first tour Dad gave to the model club of his collection here in Gaspereau. I borrowed the tape and got a DVD made of it. I enjoyed seeing it as much as the “model club” seemed to enjoy the tour. If I remember I’ll bring it along to the next family gathering especially if your home at Christmas. It was also interesting to read “LD’s” comments. Having taking 2 courses from Dad I remember well his written comments on papers and the “sharp wit” he often directed at his students. I’m happy to say was never directed at me but I always enjoy hearing what other students remember.
Cheers,
Bria.