Animals in warfare -- it's not really something we think about too often. But, as recently as a century ago, animals of many stripes played a variety of important roles in warfare ... and Lucinda Moore wants to give them their day.

Through text and many, many photos, Animals in the Great War explains the role animals played in World War I. From mules and horses to elephants and dogs, Moore digs into the archives to explain the work they did or the inspiration they provided, and she has the photos to prove it.

It's a look at history through a different lens. In this modern age, when warfare is more about tanks and drones than flesh and blood, it's a stark reminder of the way things used to be. It's also an insightful look at a period of history that none of us now can remember.

My only complaint about this book is the page design. Moore begins each chapter with great big blocks of text -- typically, several pages -- in which she describes images that sound absolutely fascinating. Then, once she's done with her descriptions, you get to a few pages of photos -- and chances are you've forgotten half of what she wrote about most of them. So, either you peek ahead while reading her prose, or you turn back while looking at the pictures to see what she said. It's a poor layout choice that only makes sense if the photo spreads are on a higher quality paper, as often is the case in books like this, in which case grouping them together is a necessity. That's not the case here, as all the paper is of equal quality.

It's simply a bad choice. She should write about a photo as it's being shown.

Otherwise, Animals in the Great War is an interesting book that sheds light on the often unsung, winged or four-footed beasts who served with distinction during a horrible war.