The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 (Modern Wars) [Paperback]

Holger Herwig (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0340573481 | ISBN-13: 978-0340573488 | Publication Date: September 1, 2009

This book draws on ten years of archival research to provide the first comprehensive treatment in English of how Germany and Austria-Hungary conducted World War I and what defeat meant to them.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Historian Herwig (Biographical Dictionary of World War I, LJ 12/15/82) draws primarily on German and Austro-Hungarian archival sources?many of which have become accessible only in the last decade?to analyze the surprising weaknesses and blundering of those two powers. Following an informative preface by series editor and historian Hew Strachan and an introduction by the author, Herwig presents a terse narrative of the war's course. Chapter notes and an extensive bibliography contain a large number of German and Austrian official sources, while black-and-white maps illustrate major battles and campaigns. For separate treatments of the two major Central Powers, libraries are referred to Samuel R. Williamson's Austria-Hungary and the Origins of the First World War (St. Martin's, 1991) and Rod Paschall's The Defeat of Imperial Germany, 1917-1918 (Algonquin, 1989). Warmly recommended for academic and large public libraries.?Harry E. Whitmore, formerly with Univ. of Maine at Augusta, Portland
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Full of fascinating detail, strongly argued, and lucidly written, Herwig's study is certain to force a re-evaluation of the origins and course of World War One."--Choice

"[Herwig] makes comprehensive use of archival sources....[He] combines this original scholarship with comprehensive synthesis of a generation's worth of specialized research. When clear organization and lucid prose are added to the mix, the result is a definitive analytical overview of the Central Powers at war."--The Journal of Military History

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340573481
• ISBN-13: 978-0340573488
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > History > Europe > Hungary

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Wold War, May 30, 2001

By 

J. Lindner (Gem Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 (Modern Wars) (Paperback)

Holger Herwig's First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary takes a unique perspective when analyzing the war. Instead of traditional theories that still attempt to place war-guilt and blame onto Germany, Herwig's position is that war needs to be viewed from Germany's position.

In describing the German point of view, Herwig illustrates how the war might have been the brief encounter people expected in 1914, but became a drawn out conflict largely due to Austria-Hungary and the ineptness of Austrian leaders. Once this occurred, it was only a matter of time before Germany could no longer sustain its war effort. Food shortages on the German homefront greatly hindered German military capabilities. Germany kept tapping its reserve of manpower usually to bolster Austrian blunders. Frequently Germany saved the day and kept Austria in the war (Germany had little choice but to assist her feeble ally if there was to be any hope of winning the war).

But Herwig is also critical of German high command,Falkenhayn, Hindenburg, and Ludendorff for its handling of the western front, notably the Somme, Verdun, and Passchendaele. The German high command was no more or less capable or inept as the allied high command; Germany as a nation was as much caught up in the war as Britain, France, or Russia. Herwig's main point is that after seventy years, the war guilt blame still falls upon Germany because Germany lost the war and Britain and France dictated the peace.

This book is essential for any student of the Great War. Herwig's thesis may seem radical to those who prefer the war-guilt pro Anglo-French analysis, but Herwig's understanding of the war and his presentation of facts cannot be easily discredited. His outright blame of Austria-Hungary as Germany's real nemesis may sound like sour grapes, but this is an outstanding historical effort.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, January 28, 1999

By 

Tom Munro "tomfrombrunswick" (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 (Modern Wars) (Paperback)

The First World War destroyed the old imperial system that had governed Europe. Prior to the war central Europe was dominated by the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Imperial Russia. As a result of the war these countries were torn apart by social revolution with Communism taking control in Russia and Fascism in Germany.

Herwig in his stunning book explains why. The stunning incompetence of all of the participants in this conflict were breathtaking. The military incompetence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was such that they had lost close to one million men in the first year of the war. However conventional histories fail to look at the way countries managed their economies. Neither Germany nor Austro-Hungary were able to feed their populations during the war or even turned their mind to it.

The war years were a time when the normal people in those counties slowly starved to death, suffering from a range of diseases brought on by poor nutrition to witness their husbands and children taken away to die in huge numbers at the front.

The book is a stunning inditement of all of the great powers of the time. The First World War is the first cause of a lot which has gone wrong with this century.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed look into "the otherfronts" of W.W.I, February 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 (Modern Wars) (Paperback)

This book provides a very usefull look into the lesser known aspects of WWI. If you're a student of history and truly wish to learn more about the way that Germany and Austria-Hungary lost. This is the best way to find out more. Most of us only heard tid-bits of info on the "other fronts" this will open many doors. One of the lesser known aspects of the war is given great attention here...STARVATION. The author proves that the real losers in war are people, not just the troops but, real people.