Author: Paul Reed

Publisher: Leo Cooper , Pen and Sword Books Ltd.   

ISBN: 0-85052-567-5          Price:£10.95

Last week the latest wo in the Series of Battleground Europe hit my mat. I confess to being a fan of this series. To me they are a better version of "Before Endeavours fade", they can afford to be detailed as they cover select areas, I decided to put my thoughts on this book down for all to see. The standard of this series is of such a high quality that I have a standing order with the publisher that I get sent a the new issues as they are published such is my confidence.

The book itself is paperback and contains 218 pages, price wise it's a pound more than the rest, but it is slightly thicker. It's a handy size to fit into a large pocket if you are out on the ground, others in the series have accompanied me to France and have mud stains to prove it. As a stand alone they are like having the front line today in your living room. Walking the Somme departs from the usual formula of picking an area, describing the actions there in detail, explaining how to tour it today, selected walks, to covering a large area in a series of walks, and they are designed to be on foot as well. I know of Paul Reed, he was in the neighbouring Sussex branch of the WFA, he moved out to live on the Somme and therefore his credentials as author are excellent.

I always give a new book a quick flick through to get a first impression. Mine was this looks very good. what stood out was it was packed with pictures I have never seen before. I get fed up of new books containing the tired old images, this one will please you as the author has delved into his extensive collection. In the introduction the author explains