New York: Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, INC. 1997. 469 pp. $32.50
.ISBN 0-679-74376-6
This book, The Last Days of Innocence, America at War 1917-1918, is a book that clearly explains the American effort in World War I. World War I wasn’t any war, but a war filled with both international and national issues. This caused mixed reactions with the American people, there became an extreme increase in the immigrant population, and there were also rising differences in social, racial, ethical and even religious groups.
The Harries describe the downside of the United States contribution to the victory, aside from problems at home and aboard, even though at the time America was at the peak of industrial capacity, we still lost peace. Proving that there was not much to celebrate on Nov. 11 1918 about the war that was to end all wars. Compared to the millions lost by other countries, America’s cost was also severe about 75000 dead, the war exposed both physical and educational deficiencies of a huge white underclass and brought to attention the unwillingness of the …show more content…
It chronicles from the first few American casualties to the advances by the AEF in late October and early November 1918, America helped strengthen the Western Front, fought boldly and earned the respect of the Allies. Even though the Allied troops were more experienced the American troops brought their own enthusiasm and confidence to the battle not only on the ground but in the sea and in the air. The Harries point out that near the end of the way is when America’s air force really proved their worth they conducted reconnaissance, strafed enemy troops and bombed transportation and supply hubs: “At the very last moment, the air forces