Author Description
Now more than ever, a clear historical understanding of the conflicts that have engulfed the world is essential. In The First World War, one of the most respected historians of his generation offers a brief but hugely readable narrative account of WWI, its causes and consequences, and the many historical controversies surrounding the origin and conduct of the war.Karl von Clausewitz wrote that war is a trinity composed of the policy of the government, the activities of the military, and the passions of the people. Michael Howard argues that "each of these must be taken into account if we are to understand both why the war happened and why it took the course it did." In nine brisk chapters, Howard lays out the historical situation in Europe in 1914, the dispositions of the major belligerents prior to the war, the causes of war, the major campaigns, the entrance of the United States, the crisis, victory, and settlement of the war. Along the way, he offers compelling insights into the political motivations, military actions, and the "passions of the people" that contributed most strongly to the outcome of the war.There is no other short history of WWI on the market today written by a historian of Michael Howard's stature. For anyone wishing to gain a quick but authoritative understanding of one of the most crucial events of the twentieth century, The First World War is the best place to begin.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the complex interplay of government policy, military strategy, and public sentiment that defined the origins and progression of the First World War. Michael Howard, a distinguished military historian, utilizes a Clausewitzian framework to analyze the conflict. He argues that a comprehensive understanding of the war requires a balanced examination of political motivations, operational military decisions, and the social pressures exerted by the populations of the belligerent nations.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A nine-chapter chronological narrative of the conflict from 1914 to the post-war settlement.
- Analysis of pre-war European geopolitical dispositions and the specific causes of the outbreak of hostilities.
- Examination of major military campaigns and the strategic impact of the United States entering the war.
Scope Limits
- The text provides a concise overview rather than an exhaustive, multi-volume military history.
- It focuses primarily on the European theater and major political actors, omitting granular details of minor fronts or localized skirmishes.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers alike recognize this work as a foundational, accessible entry point for understanding the complexities of the First World War. The prose is noted for its clarity and brevity, making it a standard recommendation for those seeking a high-level synthesis of the conflict.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
2003-08-21
ISBN-10:
0192804456
ISBN-13:
9780192804457
History
World War
European History
20th Century
Military History