The First World War: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
£7.10£8.50 (-16%)
It examines the state of Europe in 1914 and the outbreak of war; the onset of attrition and crisis; the role of the US; the collapse of Russia; and the weakening and eventual surrender of the Central Powers. Looking at the historical controversies surrounding the causes and conduct of war, Michael Howard also describes how peace was ultimately made, and the potent legacy of resentment left to Germany.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Illustrated edition (25 Jan. 2007), OUP Oxford |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0199205590 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0199205592 |
| Dimensions | 17.27 x 1.02 x 10.92 cm |
by Old bald dude
Of course this isn’t comprehensive but for an overview of what led up to, and happened, during WW1, this is good. If you want to read about the various battles and campaigns, and what life in the trenches was like, then suggest you look elsewhere, much of the book deals with the politics, but this doesn’t make it dry and dull. Recommended.
by S P Hockin
This book does exactly what it says. It provides a well written, concise account of the causes, events and consequences of WW1.
As someone who knew relatively little of the political and social make up of Europe prior to the war this book gave a good overview. The writer also aims to take an objective stance and to a large degree avoids articulating the events from any particular countrys viewpoint or position.
This is not a blow by blow account and readers seeking detail should go elsewhere. However as a means of contextualising the war and placing events in their proper order with reasons and consequences which can then be researched further this book is excellent.
Highly recommended.
by snorbens rules
The cover and edges of this book are in good condition, but when I opened it I found the whole of the first chapter is heavily underlined in pen, with marginal annotations. Very annoying.
by Penguin
A quite excellent top-line account of the First World War. Throughout its pages, it maintains the same strategic level of information such that it is able to encapsulate within 200 pages the significant points of the First World War and the subsequent causes of the Second World War.
by Michael J Kelly
Simple enough for those new to the subject and detailed enough to pick apart the intricacies of the War. Strongly recommend.
by Rob Sawyer
I took my son to the Imperial War Museum between Xmas and New Year last year (thoroughly recommended) and was a bit disappointed at my lack of knowledge on WW1. Not bad on WW2 but as my son is studying WW1 in Year 8 I thought I had better gen up on it so I could help him.
I found this after a search on here and to be honest it could not have been any better. It is well written, concise and gives an excellent overview of what happened from the lead up to the war and on through it.
I found it to be a great education and rather thought provoking given what is going on in the world today, and what we have witnessed in Europe in the last 20 years, times, perhaps, don’t change too much.
I suspect the purists will moan that this is a bit lightweight but for me it was absolutely spot on, a great, interesting read about a subject that I didn’t realise had such influence elsewhere.
Marvellous.
by James H
If, like me, you have little understanding of the causes and development of the Great War, this is an excellent primer and an easy read. It assumes minimal knowledge on the part of the reader and by the time you reach the end of the book you will have a good overview of the dreadful events of 1914-1918. This being a short introduction, I was left feeling I needed to know more about certain aspects but that is the point of the book.
My only real criticism is that the book contains a number of photographs which are not particularly interesting or relevant but no maps or plans of the battles, particularly on the Western Front, which I would have found useful in understanding the tactics being employed.
by Shane White
It answered the questions I had about the causes of the war and why it went on so long.
Events are explained in very easy-to-understand, everyday language and all the main events of the conflict are covered.
The only slight criticism I have is that the books in the ‘further reading’ section could do with an update. This section doesn’t appear to have been updated since 2007 at the latest and there have of course been many good books on the First World War published since then.
But despite this minor complaint I was very happy with this book.