“Atlas and Manual of the World’s Greatest War – Thirty maps in colors – Forty-two illustrations – Sixty-four columns of vital text Four De Luxe colorgravures” – Title Page. This action-packed WWI atlas was copyrighted in 1918 by John Thomas and ‘Compiled, Edited, and Published’ by the Geographical Publishing Company of Chicago. Recent American entry into the European fray brought enormous public interest into a conflict which had previously been confined to ‘over there.’ A striking cover that shows doughboys going ‘Over the Top’ to capture German prisoners sets the stage. Maps cover global territories that were, at best, known as exotic destinations – Russia, Turkey, the Balkan Peninsula, etc. Several clever bird’s-eye views and aerial perspectives highlight particularly relevant elements like naval blockades, topographic defenses, etc. In addition to a geographic reference, the volume serves as a romanticized introduction to modern war. Vibrant color portraits of world leaders and military insignia evoke national pride. Accompanying text borders on propaganda, describing German gas attacks, terrible POW conditions, and other ‘records of crimes.’ A table lists the ‘New Weapons and Methods of World War’ and the respective nation that introduced them; Germany is credited with not only Flesh-Burning Gas Shells, but also Poisoned Wells and Candy, Starvation, Slavery, and Bacteria! Black and white photographs offer a small glimpse into the world of the machine gun, tank, dreadnought, and zeppelin, but the harsh reality of combat remains a world away for the majority American audience. Source: Newberry Library
