Alex Mayhew
@alexmayhew.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at LSE International History | Great War + Morale + Crisis + Mesopotamia + Technological Innovation
Written a book for Cambridge University Press | Past me: University of Birmingham, LSE100 and LSE LIFE.
Written a book for Cambridge University Press | Past me: University of Birmingham, LSE100 and LSE LIFE.
Thank you @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social for publishing this detailed review of my book.
Have a read and remember that you can purchase globally from Cambridge University Press (bit.ly/4l1M5Gu), Amazon (amzn.to/4mZKaEm), and other vendors.
I recently saw it in the wild!
Have a read and remember that you can purchase globally from Cambridge University Press (bit.ly/4l1M5Gu), Amazon (amzn.to/4mZKaEm), and other vendors.
I recently saw it in the wild!
August 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Thank you @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social for publishing this detailed review of my book.
Have a read and remember that you can purchase globally from Cambridge University Press (bit.ly/4l1M5Gu), Amazon (amzn.to/4mZKaEm), and other vendors.
I recently saw it in the wild!
Have a read and remember that you can purchase globally from Cambridge University Press (bit.ly/4l1M5Gu), Amazon (amzn.to/4mZKaEm), and other vendors.
I recently saw it in the wild!
After several weeks in Canada, I have got my hands on my author copies of Making Sense of the Great War.
Mark Jones (@mark18681918.bsky.social) was chosen at random to receive one for free!
You can buy it for £23.99 using the code HIST2425: bit.ly/4mYM08h.
#History #HistoryBooks #FirstWorldWar
Mark Jones (@mark18681918.bsky.social) was chosen at random to receive one for free!
You can buy it for £23.99 using the code HIST2425: bit.ly/4mYM08h.
#History #HistoryBooks #FirstWorldWar
July 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
After several weeks in Canada, I have got my hands on my author copies of Making Sense of the Great War.
Mark Jones (@mark18681918.bsky.social) was chosen at random to receive one for free!
You can buy it for £23.99 using the code HIST2425: bit.ly/4mYM08h.
#History #HistoryBooks #FirstWorldWar
Mark Jones (@mark18681918.bsky.social) was chosen at random to receive one for free!
You can buy it for £23.99 using the code HIST2425: bit.ly/4mYM08h.
#History #HistoryBooks #FirstWorldWar
Afterwards, I walked up to Mont Royal Cemetery to see Currie's memorial and to look at the CWGC graves that are so carefully cared for.
(Obviously, the views of the city are also fantastic)
Interestingly, there is a space for the graves of veterans of the Crimean and South African Wars.
(Obviously, the views of the city are also fantastic)
Interestingly, there is a space for the graves of veterans of the Crimean and South African Wars.
June 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Afterwards, I walked up to Mont Royal Cemetery to see Currie's memorial and to look at the CWGC graves that are so carefully cared for.
(Obviously, the views of the city are also fantastic)
Interestingly, there is a space for the graves of veterans of the Crimean and South African Wars.
(Obviously, the views of the city are also fantastic)
Interestingly, there is a space for the graves of veterans of the Crimean and South African Wars.
I also discovered that British helmets during the Great War contained asbestos!
The centre holds a wealth of material culture - and personal documents - for historians to consult.
Additionally, their (new) research space is wonderful to work in and the building is beautiful - well worth a visit.
The centre holds a wealth of material culture - and personal documents - for historians to consult.
Additionally, their (new) research space is wonderful to work in and the building is beautiful - well worth a visit.
June 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I also discovered that British helmets during the Great War contained asbestos!
The centre holds a wealth of material culture - and personal documents - for historians to consult.
Additionally, their (new) research space is wonderful to work in and the building is beautiful - well worth a visit.
The centre holds a wealth of material culture - and personal documents - for historians to consult.
Additionally, their (new) research space is wonderful to work in and the building is beautiful - well worth a visit.
I had a wonderful time in the archive room of the Canadian Great War Centre in Montreal yesterday.
Most of my time was spent looking through their postcard collection.
However, I also saw their (no longer) radioactive wrist watch collection and a painting of Arthur Currie by John Singer Sargent.
Most of my time was spent looking through their postcard collection.
However, I also saw their (no longer) radioactive wrist watch collection and a painting of Arthur Currie by John Singer Sargent.
June 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I had a wonderful time in the archive room of the Canadian Great War Centre in Montreal yesterday.
Most of my time was spent looking through their postcard collection.
However, I also saw their (no longer) radioactive wrist watch collection and a painting of Arthur Currie by John Singer Sargent.
Most of my time was spent looking through their postcard collection.
However, I also saw their (no longer) radioactive wrist watch collection and a painting of Arthur Currie by John Singer Sargent.
If you are interested, CUP have released a 20% discount code for Making Sense of the Great War.
You can get it for £23.99 through their website using the code HIST2425.
Find more information - and purchase it - here: bit.ly/4mYM08h
#History #Military #NewBook #FirstWorldWar #MilitaryMorale
You can get it for £23.99 through their website using the code HIST2425.
Find more information - and purchase it - here: bit.ly/4mYM08h
#History #Military #NewBook #FirstWorldWar #MilitaryMorale
June 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
If you are interested, CUP have released a 20% discount code for Making Sense of the Great War.
You can get it for £23.99 through their website using the code HIST2425.
Find more information - and purchase it - here: bit.ly/4mYM08h
#History #Military #NewBook #FirstWorldWar #MilitaryMorale
You can get it for £23.99 through their website using the code HIST2425.
Find more information - and purchase it - here: bit.ly/4mYM08h
#History #Military #NewBook #FirstWorldWar #MilitaryMorale
Whilst its about morale, the book highlights the significance of human hope in times of crisis.
It exposes ways in which ordinary servicemen sought to survive, navigated Belgium and France, and developed meaningful narratives about military service.
Do reach out with questions or thoughts!
It exposes ways in which ordinary servicemen sought to survive, navigated Belgium and France, and developed meaningful narratives about military service.
Do reach out with questions or thoughts!
June 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Whilst its about morale, the book highlights the significance of human hope in times of crisis.
It exposes ways in which ordinary servicemen sought to survive, navigated Belgium and France, and developed meaningful narratives about military service.
Do reach out with questions or thoughts!
It exposes ways in which ordinary servicemen sought to survive, navigated Belgium and France, and developed meaningful narratives about military service.
Do reach out with questions or thoughts!
I was not particularly happy with my MA module this year. So I ripped it up and started again.
The course attempts to be transnational and to balance different approaches to the FWW.
Would you add or remove anything? I have a reading list, but is there any new scholarship you would recommend?
The course attempts to be transnational and to balance different approaches to the FWW.
Would you add or remove anything? I have a reading list, but is there any new scholarship you would recommend?
April 16, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I was not particularly happy with my MA module this year. So I ripped it up and started again.
The course attempts to be transnational and to balance different approaches to the FWW.
Would you add or remove anything? I have a reading list, but is there any new scholarship you would recommend?
The course attempts to be transnational and to balance different approaches to the FWW.
Would you add or remove anything? I have a reading list, but is there any new scholarship you would recommend?
On Monday afternoon, some of my students were lucky enough to attend a fascinating (and bespoke) workshop in the archives of the National Maritime Museum led by @dmorganowen.bsky.social.
We encountered a number of interesting sources that provided varied perspectives on the First World War.
We encountered a number of interesting sources that provided varied perspectives on the First World War.
February 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
On Monday afternoon, some of my students were lucky enough to attend a fascinating (and bespoke) workshop in the archives of the National Maritime Museum led by @dmorganowen.bsky.social.
We encountered a number of interesting sources that provided varied perspectives on the First World War.
We encountered a number of interesting sources that provided varied perspectives on the First World War.
As part of our UG module Historical Approaches to the Modern World, I took a group of students on an archive visit to @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social.
Justin Saddington, one of the fantastic curators, discussed the challenges of interpreting some of the fascinating items in the NAM's collection.
Justin Saddington, one of the fantastic curators, discussed the challenges of interpreting some of the fascinating items in the NAM's collection.
January 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
As part of our UG module Historical Approaches to the Modern World, I took a group of students on an archive visit to @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social.
Justin Saddington, one of the fantastic curators, discussed the challenges of interpreting some of the fascinating items in the NAM's collection.
Justin Saddington, one of the fantastic curators, discussed the challenges of interpreting some of the fascinating items in the NAM's collection.
Following, and ahead of, a couple of book talks I am delivering over this month and next @cambridgeup.bsky.social are kindly providing a discount code for Making Sense of the Great War.
It is still £70, though, so if interested you might want to wait until April / May for the paperback version.
It is still £70, though, so if interested you might want to wait until April / May for the paperback version.
January 16, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Following, and ahead of, a couple of book talks I am delivering over this month and next @cambridgeup.bsky.social are kindly providing a discount code for Making Sense of the Great War.
It is still £70, though, so if interested you might want to wait until April / May for the paperback version.
It is still £70, though, so if interested you might want to wait until April / May for the paperback version.
Happy to see the first review of Making Sense of the Great War in the Journal of Military History.
If interested, I will speak about the book at a Western Front Association event (online - 13 Jan) and at the National Army Museum (hybrid - 7 Feb).
It is due to be released in paperback come spring!
If interested, I will speak about the book at a Western Front Association event (online - 13 Jan) and at the National Army Museum (hybrid - 7 Feb).
It is due to be released in paperback come spring!
January 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Happy to see the first review of Making Sense of the Great War in the Journal of Military History.
If interested, I will speak about the book at a Western Front Association event (online - 13 Jan) and at the National Army Museum (hybrid - 7 Feb).
It is due to be released in paperback come spring!
If interested, I will speak about the book at a Western Front Association event (online - 13 Jan) and at the National Army Museum (hybrid - 7 Feb).
It is due to be released in paperback come spring!
‘The Universal War 1914-1918.’
I am not sure that I have come across this terminology before.
An interesting conceptual framing of the Great War found on a post-war postcard printed in Paris for a multi-lingual audience.
Has anyone seen this elsewhere?
I am not sure that I have come across this terminology before.
An interesting conceptual framing of the Great War found on a post-war postcard printed in Paris for a multi-lingual audience.
Has anyone seen this elsewhere?
November 26, 2024 at 11:05 AM
‘The Universal War 1914-1918.’
I am not sure that I have come across this terminology before.
An interesting conceptual framing of the Great War found on a post-war postcard printed in Paris for a multi-lingual audience.
Has anyone seen this elsewhere?
I am not sure that I have come across this terminology before.
An interesting conceptual framing of the Great War found on a post-war postcard printed in Paris for a multi-lingual audience.
Has anyone seen this elsewhere?
I was really pleased to pick up my LSE Excellence in Education Award yesterday evening.
I love teaching and it is great that the LSE - and the EDEN Centre in particular - take the time to recognize the effort that we all put into the education of our students.
I love teaching and it is great that the LSE - and the EDEN Centre in particular - take the time to recognize the effort that we all put into the education of our students.
November 19, 2024 at 11:01 AM
I was really pleased to pick up my LSE Excellence in Education Award yesterday evening.
I love teaching and it is great that the LSE - and the EDEN Centre in particular - take the time to recognize the effort that we all put into the education of our students.
I love teaching and it is great that the LSE - and the EDEN Centre in particular - take the time to recognize the effort that we all put into the education of our students.
The favorite family lore:
My great-grandfather Rodolphus left his wife, children, and thriving tailoring business in Ashton under Lyne to run away with another woman and become a magician.
It did not go well.
My great-grandfather Rodolphus left his wife, children, and thriving tailoring business in Ashton under Lyne to run away with another woman and become a magician.
It did not go well.
November 17, 2024 at 9:38 PM
The favorite family lore:
My great-grandfather Rodolphus left his wife, children, and thriving tailoring business in Ashton under Lyne to run away with another woman and become a magician.
It did not go well.
My great-grandfather Rodolphus left his wife, children, and thriving tailoring business in Ashton under Lyne to run away with another woman and become a magician.
It did not go well.
First lecture of the academic year ✅
This year I am lucky enough to be delivering two of my own Great War modules (with some sources, microhistory, and military history workshops thrown in too).
UG - HY226: The Great War (we cover c.1912-23)
PG - HY4C1: Fighting and Enduring the Great War.
This year I am lucky enough to be delivering two of my own Great War modules (with some sources, microhistory, and military history workshops thrown in too).
UG - HY226: The Great War (we cover c.1912-23)
PG - HY4C1: Fighting and Enduring the Great War.
September 30, 2024 at 2:21 PM
First lecture of the academic year ✅
This year I am lucky enough to be delivering two of my own Great War modules (with some sources, microhistory, and military history workshops thrown in too).
UG - HY226: The Great War (we cover c.1912-23)
PG - HY4C1: Fighting and Enduring the Great War.
This year I am lucky enough to be delivering two of my own Great War modules (with some sources, microhistory, and military history workshops thrown in too).
UG - HY226: The Great War (we cover c.1912-23)
PG - HY4C1: Fighting and Enduring the Great War.
Need to start using BlueSky more often given Twitter's descent into hell.
I was grateful to receive an email from LSE's SU last week informing me that I had been nominated for a student led teaching award earlier in the summer.
It's great to get some unsolicited positive affirmation!
I was grateful to receive an email from LSE's SU last week informing me that I had been nominated for a student led teaching award earlier in the summer.
It's great to get some unsolicited positive affirmation!
August 12, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Need to start using BlueSky more often given Twitter's descent into hell.
I was grateful to receive an email from LSE's SU last week informing me that I had been nominated for a student led teaching award earlier in the summer.
It's great to get some unsolicited positive affirmation!
I was grateful to receive an email from LSE's SU last week informing me that I had been nominated for a student led teaching award earlier in the summer.
It's great to get some unsolicited positive affirmation!
Another endorsement for my recent book, this time from Prof. John Horne.
John’s thoughtful comments on my doctoral thesis were essential once it came to preparing the monograph.
(Again, paperback coming 2025.)
Read the Preface for Free: bit.ly/3Q37ZMr
Full Book: bit.ly/3wBb2Fm
John’s thoughtful comments on my doctoral thesis were essential once it came to preparing the monograph.
(Again, paperback coming 2025.)
Read the Preface for Free: bit.ly/3Q37ZMr
Full Book: bit.ly/3wBb2Fm
May 16, 2024 at 1:40 PM
Another endorsement for my recent book, this time from Prof. John Horne.
John’s thoughtful comments on my doctoral thesis were essential once it came to preparing the monograph.
(Again, paperback coming 2025.)
Read the Preface for Free: bit.ly/3Q37ZMr
Full Book: bit.ly/3wBb2Fm
John’s thoughtful comments on my doctoral thesis were essential once it came to preparing the monograph.
(Again, paperback coming 2025.)
Read the Preface for Free: bit.ly/3Q37ZMr
Full Book: bit.ly/3wBb2Fm
The first endorsements for Making Sense of the Great War have arrived.
Thank you to @jfb1066.bsky.social and Catriona Pennell for their kind words.
Cambridge University Press have agreed to release the more affordable paperback in twelve months. In the meantime, approach journals to review it!
Thank you to @jfb1066.bsky.social and Catriona Pennell for their kind words.
Cambridge University Press have agreed to release the more affordable paperback in twelve months. In the meantime, approach journals to review it!
May 11, 2024 at 8:39 AM
The first endorsements for Making Sense of the Great War have arrived.
Thank you to @jfb1066.bsky.social and Catriona Pennell for their kind words.
Cambridge University Press have agreed to release the more affordable paperback in twelve months. In the meantime, approach journals to review it!
Thank you to @jfb1066.bsky.social and Catriona Pennell for their kind words.
Cambridge University Press have agreed to release the more affordable paperback in twelve months. In the meantime, approach journals to review it!
Today is publication day for my first book and a package arrived at the LSE from CUP containing my author copies of Making Sense of the Great War.
The monograph explores the morale and sensemaking of infantrymen.
You can read the prologue for free, which explains many of the arguments: t.ly/Vp2_D
The monograph explores the morale and sensemaking of infantrymen.
You can read the prologue for free, which explains many of the arguments: t.ly/Vp2_D
April 18, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Today is publication day for my first book and a package arrived at the LSE from CUP containing my author copies of Making Sense of the Great War.
The monograph explores the morale and sensemaking of infantrymen.
You can read the prologue for free, which explains many of the arguments: t.ly/Vp2_D
The monograph explores the morale and sensemaking of infantrymen.
You can read the prologue for free, which explains many of the arguments: t.ly/Vp2_D
Calling all librarians, or academics with a research budget to splurge, you can use the code MAYHEW24 to get my book for 30% off.
Unfortunately, that is still £70, but do encourage your institution to get a copy at the discounted price, and hold out for the paperback!
Published on Thursday.
Unfortunately, that is still £70, but do encourage your institution to get a copy at the discounted price, and hold out for the paperback!
Published on Thursday.
April 16, 2024 at 8:01 PM
Calling all librarians, or academics with a research budget to splurge, you can use the code MAYHEW24 to get my book for 30% off.
Unfortunately, that is still £70, but do encourage your institution to get a copy at the discounted price, and hold out for the paperback!
Published on Thursday.
Unfortunately, that is still £70, but do encourage your institution to get a copy at the discounted price, and hold out for the paperback!
Published on Thursday.
Justin Saddington, curator at the National Army Museum, hosted me and my LSE students again yesterday.
This time my UG First World War cohort were introduced to the archive, looked at some materials related to mobilisation and memory, and explored the galleries.
It was nice to learn off campus!
This time my UG First World War cohort were introduced to the archive, looked at some materials related to mobilisation and memory, and explored the galleries.
It was nice to learn off campus!
March 14, 2024 at 5:52 PM
Justin Saddington, curator at the National Army Museum, hosted me and my LSE students again yesterday.
This time my UG First World War cohort were introduced to the archive, looked at some materials related to mobilisation and memory, and explored the galleries.
It was nice to learn off campus!
This time my UG First World War cohort were introduced to the archive, looked at some materials related to mobilisation and memory, and explored the galleries.
It was nice to learn off campus!
This year I am running the LSE Int. History UG module ‘Historical Approaches to the Modern World.’
Today we had the first of a series of optional archive visits.
Justin Saddington at the National Army Museum kindly allowed us into the NAM collections to look at some of the treasures held there.
Today we had the first of a series of optional archive visits.
Justin Saddington at the National Army Museum kindly allowed us into the NAM collections to look at some of the treasures held there.
January 24, 2024 at 8:38 PM
This year I am running the LSE Int. History UG module ‘Historical Approaches to the Modern World.’
Today we had the first of a series of optional archive visits.
Justin Saddington at the National Army Museum kindly allowed us into the NAM collections to look at some of the treasures held there.
Today we had the first of a series of optional archive visits.
Justin Saddington at the National Army Museum kindly allowed us into the NAM collections to look at some of the treasures held there.
Today, I took my First World War UGs to the Imperial War Museum to explore the First World War galleries.
Afterwards, they had the opportunity to hear from
@curatorian.bsky.social about how the galleries were designed.
We also discussed particular objects + documents across the exhibit.
Afterwards, they had the opportunity to hear from
@curatorian.bsky.social about how the galleries were designed.
We also discussed particular objects + documents across the exhibit.
November 29, 2023 at 5:38 PM
Today, I took my First World War UGs to the Imperial War Museum to explore the First World War galleries.
Afterwards, they had the opportunity to hear from
@curatorian.bsky.social about how the galleries were designed.
We also discussed particular objects + documents across the exhibit.
Afterwards, they had the opportunity to hear from
@curatorian.bsky.social about how the galleries were designed.
We also discussed particular objects + documents across the exhibit.
Coming soon to an expensive bookshop near you!
My book has a full cover and it is starting to feel real - the (more affordable) paperback should follow within eighteen months.
If there is enough demand, though, maybe this might come earlier?
#FirstWorldWar #Morale #MilitaryHistory
My book has a full cover and it is starting to feel real - the (more affordable) paperback should follow within eighteen months.
If there is enough demand, though, maybe this might come earlier?
#FirstWorldWar #Morale #MilitaryHistory
October 17, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Coming soon to an expensive bookshop near you!
My book has a full cover and it is starting to feel real - the (more affordable) paperback should follow within eighteen months.
If there is enough demand, though, maybe this might come earlier?
#FirstWorldWar #Morale #MilitaryHistory
My book has a full cover and it is starting to feel real - the (more affordable) paperback should follow within eighteen months.
If there is enough demand, though, maybe this might come earlier?
#FirstWorldWar #Morale #MilitaryHistory