World War I: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today, 1870 to 1935 (Uncle Eric Book) [Paperback]

Richard J. Maybury (Author), Jane A. Williams (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0942617428 | ISBN-13: 978-0942617429 | Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | Edition: Revised

The explosion of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 was the beginning of a chain reaction that continues today. Mr. Maybury presents an idea-based explanation of the First World War. He focuses on the ideas and events that led to World War I, events during the war, and how they led to World War II. Includes the ten deadly ideas that lead to war.

Can be used for courses in World History, U.S. History, International Relations, Economics, Business, Finance, and Government.

This is part one of a two-part series on the world wars. For part two, search for "World War II: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today" also available through Amazon.

To improve the student's learning experience, also purchase the student study guide for "World War I" titled "A Bluestocking Guide: World War I" also available through Amazon.

Table of Contents for "World War I"
Uncle Eric's Model of How the World Works
Author's Disclosure
Cast of Characters
Timeline

1. The 58-Year Persecution
2. The Grim Statistics
3. Is Now the Time to Learn About War?
4. First Ideas, Then Battles
5. Whose Truth?
6. Why We Fight
7. Conquest Creates Weakness Not Strength
8. Typical Garden-Variety Wars
9. Deadly Ideas Lead to War
10. The Pax Romana
11. Fascism
12. What Date Did the World Wars Begin?
13. Franco-Prussian War
14. Ancient German Ambitions
15. Political Power
16. Global Protection
17. Interests
18. Cost Externalization
19. Manifest Destiny
20. The Splendid Little War
21. Guerrilla War
22. Guerrilla War Examples
23. Never Surrender
24. Killing Women
25. Take No Prisoners
26. The White Man's Burden & The Ugly American
27. The Great White Fleet
28. Up Close and Personal
29. The First Casualty of War
30. Stealing Panama
31. Helping Crooks and Tyrants
32. The Usual Suspects
33. Boxer Rebellion and Russo-Japanese War
34. Choosing Up Sides
35. The Morocco Crisis
36. Alliances
37. The Glory of War
38. America's Entry Into World War I
39. The Third Choice Ignored
40. They Will Fight Over Anything
41. The Treaty of Versailles
42. The Sound of Reloading
43. Hitler's Rise
44. U.S. Invades Russia
45. Desperation and the Neutrality Act
46. Summary

Appendix
Quotes About War
Bibliography and Suggested Reading
Suggested Viewing
Glossary
Index

Index of Maps
Map of Europe 1914
Old World New World Map
Europe showing France and Austria-Hungry in 1870
Areas Conquered by European Regimes
Switzerland in the World Wars
Conquests of the Christian European Powers
China's Territory Held by Invaders in 1897
Morocco Crisis Map
Map of the Balkans
Major Mutinies Map

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Maybury is a lecturer and geopolitical analyst. In a statement of disclosure, he expresses his disdain for objectivity, basing his viewpoint on Juris Naturalism, a belief that natural law is higher than any government. Clearly, his series offers a biased perspective. Utilizing an epistolary style of writing, he plays the role of an economist using letters to explain World War I to his nephew. He examines the causes, events, and effects of the conflict, discussing the nature of war and how it influences economics and society in general. There is no documentation for his views except for introducing readers to "Uncle Eric's Model of How the World Works."-L. R. Little, Penticton Public Library, British Columbia, Canada
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Richard Maybury is a great author! In his two-volume world war series, 'World War II' along with the companion volume 'World War I', Maybury will give you a new perspective on wars and history, filled with facts of interest rarely mentioned elsewhere. 'Uncle Eric' writes succinctly and in a way to be understood. Highly, highly recommended!" --Jim Cox, Author, "The Concise Guide to Economics", Associate Professor, Georgia Perimeter College

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Bluestocking Pr; Revised edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942617428
• ISBN-13: 978-0942617429
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Maybury, also known as Uncle Eric, is a world renowned author, lecturer, and geopolitical analyst. He consults with business firms in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Maybury is the former Global Affairs editor of "Moneyworld" and widely regarded as one of the finest free-market writers in America. Mr. Maybury's articles have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal", "USA Today", and other major publications. He has penned eleven books in the Uncle Eric series. His books have been endorsed by top business leaders, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary William Simon, and he has been interviewed on more than 250 radio and TV shows across America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taught me more about US history than any course in school., April 16, 2004

By 

Dave Folkerts (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World War I: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today, 1870 to 1935 (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

This book treats history as an interconnected series of cause and effect, unlike the "isolated events" approach that your high school teacher used.

The spine of the book is Maybury's Ten Deadly Ideas That Lead to War:
1. Pax Romana
2. Fascism
3. Love of political power
4. Global protection
5. "Interests"
6. Cost externalization
7. Manifest Destiny
8. The White Man's Burden (now Washington DC's Burden)
9. Alliances
10. The glory of war

Some other things I found interesting about the book:
- People often say that there is no way to win a guerilla war. Maybury shows that there is a way, and the US Government used it to win the war in the Philippines.
- Who made the first move of aggression, the US Government or Japan?
- How did the US Government get the land to build the Panama Canal?
- Why were the German people so supportive of Hitler after WWI?
- Why was the US Government (particularly Woodrow Wilson) responsible for prolonging WWI and creating the conditions for WWII.

Maybury draws a distinct difference between America as a country and the US Government and he states that unfortunately "patriotism" is often seen as support for one's government instead of love for one's country. It reminds me of GK Chesterson remarking that "My country right or wrong" was like saying, "My mother drunk or sober."

After reading this book, you'll never be able to hear phrases like "make the world safe for democracy" and "project power" again without feeling nauseous. Maybury shows how the propaganda for interventionism developed in the late 19th century and has continued up to the present. It's amazing how much Bush's current rhetoric sounds like Woodrow Wilson's before WWI.

Maybury describes the book as "anti-war letters written by an extreme militarist." He does not take the view of Orwell's pacifist who thinks that the enemy will treat him well because he did not put up a fight. But he also is not ready to fight other nations' wars and get involved with their land grabs. "The best defense is a good offense" is only true when you're keeping score on the football field, not when you're talking about killing people.

Some people get indignant at the phrase "American Empire," but a quick look at history shows how accurate it is. Only God knows how much longer we'll be able to keep the wolf by the ears.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Time, June 16, 2009

By 

C. Ruefer (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: World War I: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today, 1870 to 1935 (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

I am a retired military officer with great respect for American history and especially for those who have carried the burden of our nation's wars. Before reading this book, I viewed most if not all of America's military encounters as essential or at least justified. As a result, when I first bgan reading this book out loud to my children as part of a school curriculum, I almost had to stop--it seemed un-American. I'm so glad I stuck it out. Maybury is right. Even if you don't agree, read this book to test your point of view--does it really hold up? Do you need to reconsider? What really IS worth fighting and dieing for?

I remain a firm believer in the need for national defense and the sobering reality that war will sometimes visit itself upon us whether we want it or deserve it. However, I am utterly convinced Maybury is on to a way of thinking we would be fortunate to pursue as a nation--and without sacrificing our freedom.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Even better--read it aloud with your children.

By the way--Maybury served in the US Air Force in covert operations...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at the case of Word War One that also helps the reader to understand other wars, January 3, 2011

By 

Andrew R. Barnard (Leola, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: World War I: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today, 1870 to 1935 (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

All of us know quite a lot about the actual battles of the World Wars. Practically all Americans have heard of the trench warfare that took place in WWI, the Holocaust, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, and that fateful first atomic bomb.

But how many of us understand what caused these tragic wars? How many understand the mistakes that were made that led up to these wars? Unfortunately, many of us don't. But, thankfully, Richard Maybury, who calls himself "Uncle Eric", has written books on these wars that attempt to answer these questions. While this book is about World War One, it is about much more than that particular conflict. Uncle Eric lays out the root causes of war, and reading this book will also aid in your understanding of many other wars.

In this book, Uncle Eric lists what he calls "The Ten Deadly Ideas That Lead to War." The list is as follows:

1. The Pax Romana
2. Fascism
3. Love of Political Power
4. Global Protection
5. Interests
6. Cost externalization
7. Manifest Destiny
8. The White Man's Burden (or Anglo Saxonism)
9. Alliance
10. The glory of war

At least a chapter is spent discussing each of these points. Uncle Eric then describes how these causes lead to World War One. Uncle Eric writes in a very readable, concise manner. This book is written with a younger audience in mind, but there is no reason why adults could not appreciate it.

Buy this book, and also buy its sequel - World War II: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today, 1930 to September 11, 2001 (Uncle Eric Book).