Imperial Germany and the Great War, 1914-1918 (New Approaches to European History) [Paperback]

Roger Chickering (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521547806 | ISBN-13: 978-0521547802 | Publication Date: May 24, 2004 | Edition: 2

Unlike other existing surveys, this book explores the comprehensive impact of the First World War on Imperial Germany by offering a rich portrait of life on the home front: the pervasive effects of 'total war' on wealthy and poor, men and women, young and old, farmers and city-dwellers, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. Now appearing in a second edition, this accessible book reflects important new scholarship in the field and boasts an expanded and revised bibliography. It is essential reading for all students of German and European history, war and society. First Edition Hb (1998): 0-521-56148-5 First Edition Pb (1998): 0-521-56754-8

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...should be a boon to every student of European history in the twentieth century." Military History

Book Description

This book explores the comprehensive impact of the First World War on Imperial Germany. Unlike other existing surveys, it offers a rich portrait of life on the home front: the pervasive effects of 'total war' on wealthy and poor, men and women, young and old, farmers and city-dwellers, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews. Now appearing in a second edition, this accessible book reflects important new scholarship in the field and boasts an expanded and revised bibliography. It is essential reading for all students of German and European history, w ar and society.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (May 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521547806
• ISBN-13: 978-0521547802
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear, reliable account of events on Germany's home front, October 30, 1998

By 

A. J. Barber "barbert" (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Imperial Germany and the Great War, 1914-1918 (New Approaches to European History) (Paperback)

The theme of this well-balanced, well-arranged book is not the German military effort but political and social developments on the home front. In the end, these were to prove almost as decisive as the greater military strength of the Entente powers and the United States in bringing about Germany's defeat. As the author shows, Germany was a deeply divided society going into the war, and the "civic peace" proclaimed in August 1914 among the nation's bitterly opposed social classes and political interests was not to last long. The attempt to sustain a war effort against France, Great Britain and Russia - with only the hopelessly incompetent Austro-Hungarian Empire as an ally - necessitated huge sacrifices on the home front. Ultimately, the majority of the German population was not willing to keep making those sacrifices, particularly on behalf of a political system that had evolved by late 1916 from the semi-authoritarianism of the pre-war Kaiserreich into a pure military dictatorship. Adolf Hitler later came to power exploiting the myth of the "November criminals" - that is, those who led the German revolution of November 1918 and who, in his eyes, traitorously inflicted a defeat on Germany that need never have taken place. However, as Chickering shows in some detail, the truth is that Germany was certain by mid-1918 to lose the war anyway. This is a book for readers who are interested more in the political than the military aspects of the First World War. It holds no surprises but is authoritative and efficiently written.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding survey of the topic!, January 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Imperial Germany and the Great War, 1914-1918 (New Approaches to European History) (Paperback)

In a relatively short volume, the author gives a lucid, restrained survey of a complicated and controversial topic. Coverage is of all phases of the war affecting Germany--military, social, economic, and political--though relatively short shrift is given to military matters, so this book is not for World War I military "enthusiasts"--unless they want to go beyond what occurred in combat. A particularly good feature of the book is the wealth of references to the vast amount of scholarly work done on the war in English and German over the last half century. The author's comprehensive "Suggestions for Further Reading" will serve well either the novice historian or the layperson interested in particular aspects of Germany and the Great War.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, August 22, 2002

By 

Christopher J. Martin (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Imperial Germany and the Great War, 1914-1918 (New Approaches to European History) (Paperback)

This book combines a look at the WW I battlefield with events on the German homefront very well. Chickering focuses on the homefront and details very well the reaction to mobilization and the events of the war, as well as the defeat. One of the best chapters of the book is on the myth of the stab in the back. This book really is a necessary read if one also wants to understand the "other half" of the European Civil War, WW II.