Behind the Lines: WWI’s Little-Known Story of German Occupation, Belgian Resistance, and the Band of Yanks Who Helped Save Millions from Starvation

Part one of a three-part examination of the conditions in Belgium during WWI under the German occupation, Miller’s book covers only the first five months: August to December 1914. His primary focus is the origin of the Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB), led by American businessman—and future president—Herbert Hoover. Miller also examines the beginnings of the Belgian resistance and the experiences of the Bunge family, who were participants in both the resistance and the activities of the Belgian relief. Miller’s excellent research is extensive and strongly supports his thesis that Hoover and the CRB were instrumental in saving the lives of untold numbers of Belgian civilians. The work’s major shortcoming is obvious: it ends abruptly in December 1914. Though it’s an intriguing read, Miller’s well-written and thorough study will be of greatest interest to specialists in WWI and European history. [em](BookLife) [/em]