Book Review – Stefanie Linden, The Legacy of Shell Shock in Britain and Germany 1918-1924

 

Stefanie Linden’s The Legacy of Shell Shock in Britain and Germany 1918-1924 (Helion, 2024) is an exceptional exploration of the psychological and societal aftermath of World War I. As someone deeply immersed in researching the links between morale and combat breakdown within the 56th (London) Division during the Great War, I found this book particularly compelling. My prior engagement with Linden’s work, including her 2017 book, They Called It Shell Shock, and our discussion on the Western Front Association’s Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast, heightened my anticipation for this latest publication. This review delves into Linden’s meticulously researched study, which contrasts the British and German experiences of trauma, remembrance, and rehabilitation after the war, offering a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the enduring impacts of ‘shell shock.’