This book investigates the enduring historical debate surrounding the origins of the First World War and the shifting interpretations of responsibility for the conflict. Annika Mombauer, a recognized scholar in modern European history, utilizes a comprehensive review of primary sources and secondary literature to map the evolution of the historiographical discourse. The text provides a structured framework for understanding how different generations of historians have analyzed the diplomatic, political, and military catalysts that led to the outbreak of hostilities in 1914.

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for students and researchers seeking to navigate the complex historiography of the First World War. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose and the effectiveness of the author in distilling dense academic debates into an accessible format.