A Short History of the First World War

A Short History of the First World War tells the story of this cataclysmic event. It begins by describing the background to war, the international rivalries and conflicts of the previous decades that led to the nations of Europe forming virtual armed camps, the relentless build-up of military and naval hardware that characterized the early years of the 20th century and the great figures that tried to prevent conflict or enthusiastically pushed for it. Each year of the war is dealt with in its own chapter, the battles, various battlefronts and important incidents described and analyzed for their impact on the conduct of the war. The war on the home front is also considered, both in the case of the Allies and the Central Powers. Finally, the book examines the last acts of this 'war to end all wars', providing accounts of the Russian Revolution, the decisive entry of the United States into the hostilities and the efforts of the Paris Peace Conference after the armistice to apportion blame and punish the losers.