“A massive and ambitious effort that strives to cover and explain a very broad range of aspects, including our entry and participation in the [World War I], the failure of the ‘peace,’ and the changes the war brought to our political and social fabric. [G. J.] Meyer offers wonderful insights into many of the key players in this arresting saga. . . . This is a provocative and sometimes harshly judgmental history, but one that should be read to understand our emergence as a global power.”—Booklist (starred review)
“[Meyer] debunks many myths about America’s valiant intentions in joining the war, especially regarding President Woodrow Wilson’s sense of destiny on the world stage, and he closely examines why Wilson acquiesced to joining the fight. . . . Meyer gives a good sense of America’s future at that negotiating table and Wilson’s celebrated role at Versailles as the leader of the free world. . . . A refreshing look at this still-much-debated world debacle.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Here, with great skill and fidelity to fact, Meyer . . . relate[s] the complex tale of a nation venturing back into world affairs after a century of comparative isolation. . . . Meyer tells the story with brio. Characters come alive and the past seems near. . . . Meyer succeeds brilliantly with his basic narrative approach, and any reader who wants to learn about American participation in the war will benefit from this book.”—Publishers Weekly
“G. J. Meyer has written a keen observation about a historic and troubling period. This opus spans the war years, reflecting the [United States’] emergence as a global power while the other countries fought a war of attrition. Wilson is painted first as a complicated man who could be a sharp politician, then as a sick, indecisive man looking for validation. This book is well written, sharp, and has bearing on our present and future involvement in wars. A+”—Seattle Book Review
“Superbly well-written and deftly organized . . . [a valuable addition] to the literature of America and the First World War . . . that will challenge readers to think or rethink their ideas about the subject and its significance for understanding our present predicaments.”—The Common Reader
“This lengthy revisionist history will fit well with American history and governmental studies departments in both public and academic libraries.”—Library Journal
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