John Terrane: A Study of a First World War Revisionist

Authors

Christopher M. Hand, Infantry School, CFB Gagetown

Abstract

Of all the British military historians who started writing about the First World War during the "boom" of the sixties, perhaps no one has had greater influence or generated more controversy than John Alfred Terraine. As G.F. Elliot wrote in a 1965 review, "John Terraine is one of the younger generation of British military analysts who are now proving, with brilliance and vigour, the value of the long view in putting World War I in proper perspective." It is this idea of perspective, trying to bring balance to the historical arguments concerning the British contribution to the First World War, that drove John Terraine in all his work. Terraine's nine books on the British Expeditionary Force challenged the comfortable mainstream theories and assumptions, defended the generals, and debunked the myths. His opinions gave him both notoreity and influence.

Recommended Citation

Hand, Christopher M. "John Terrane: A Study of a First World War Revisionist." Canadian Military History 6, 2 (1997)