![]({"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mYjrtczdL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[331,499],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mYjrtczdL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[230,346]})
The author has evolved the famous 'Fog of War' into a 'Fog Of The History of War'. The First World War is a subject I enjoy reading about most of the time, but I felt strangely removed from the story when attempting this volume. I cannot recommend this book as an introductory account of the war and I think I would avoid it for subsequent reading. There is a good bit of interesting material within its pages, but do not expect to find it easily. Certainly do not expect to finish the book with a clear understanding of the war. A far better history is Martin Gilbert's 'The First World War: A Complete History'.
It is fair to give just one example of the difficulty I had with this book. On page 35 there is a section headlined: "Germany's Guilt?" It was an odd place for this discussion, near the beginning of the book, but odder still was that the question asked is never truly addressed in what follows. Mention is made that both sides began at once with propaganda accusing the other for starting the war, but 'Germany's Guilt?', which looks like a question is not addressed much less answered. Yet, this is an important question that should have been addressed more fully.
My own thought is that the question of 'guilt' is answered in two parts, who is most responsible for starting the war and who was more barbaric in its conduct. There can be little question that Austria and Germany were spoiling for a fight. Well before the Sarajevo assassination Europe approached the brink by the preparations and the actions of the Teutons. There were attempts in Germany to avoid war, but the will to war was greater. Germany and Austria caused the war. The Central Power's conduct of the war was barbaric. Austria committed outrages against civilians in Serbia that should still shock. Germany behaved like a barbarian horde in neutral Belgium and parts of occupied France. Germany also introduced bombing of civilian centers in England by zeppelin and aircraft, and Germany used the infamous Paris Gun to lob shells indiscriminately into Paris, killing civilians and destroying buildings with no possibility of gaining a tactical or strategic advantage. Germany brought its battle cruisers to the shores of England to fire upon villages like Scarborough, murdering a few civilians, but accomplishing nothing to further their war aims. Turkey, of course, conducted mass murder on Armenians. Strachan covers much of this, but not in a way that is very illuminating.
There are much better histories of the First World War.
- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint edition (April 5, 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0143035185
- ISBN-13: 978-0143035183
- Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1 x 9.2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Customer Reviews: 117 customer reviews
-
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#57,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #29 in Military History Pictorials
- #77 in World War I History (Books)
- #53 in Military History (Books)
Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?
