1914 - 1918: The History Of The First World War

Description

1914-1918, David Stevenson's history of the First World War, has been acclaimed as the definitive one-volume account of the conflict In the summer of 1914 Europe exploded into a frenzy of mass violence. The war that followed had global repercussions, destroying four empires and costing millions of lives. Even the victorious countries were scarred for a generation, and we still today remain within the conflict's shadow. In this major analysis David Stevenson re-examines the causes, course and impact of this 'war to end war', placing it in the context of its era and exposing its underlying dynamics. His book provides a wide-ranging international history, drawing on insights from the latest research. It offers compelling answers to the key questions about how this terrible struggle unfolded: questions that remain disturbingly relevant for our own time. 'It's harder to imagine a better single-volume comprehensive history of the conflict than this superb study' Ian Kershaw 'Perhaps the best comprehensive one-volume history of the war yet written' New Yorker 'David Stevenson is the real deal ... His defining characteristic is his outstanding rigour as an historian ... tremendously clever' Niall Ferguson 'This history of the 1914-1918 conflict surpasses all others. It is tough, erudite and comprehensive' Independent Title Page Contents About the Author Dedication List of Maps List of Illustrations Introduction 1914–1918 PART ONE: Outbreak 1. The Destruction of Peace 2. The Failure of the War of Movement, Summer–Winter 1914 PART TWO: Escalation 3. Making a New World, Spring 1915–Spring 1917 4. The Widening of the War 5. War Aims and Peace Negotiations 6. The Land War in Europe: Strategy 7. Technology, Logistics, and Tactics 8. Manpower and Morale 9. Armaments and Economics 10. Naval Warfare and Blockade 11. The Politics of the Home Fronts PART THREE: Outcome 12. The Third Phase, Spring 1917 – Autumn 1918 13. The February Revolution and American Intervention, Spring 1917 14. Towards Exhaustion, Summer–Autumn 1917 15. The Central Powers’ Last Throw, Autumn 1917–Summer 1918 16. The Turn of the Tide, Summer–Autumn 1918 17. Ceasefire PART FOUR: Legacy 18. Peacemaking, 1919–1920 19. Rebuilding, 1920–1929 20. Demolition, 1929–1945 21. Conclusion: The War Becomes History Illustrations Bibliography Notes Abbreviations Note on Military and Naval Terminology Copyright Page Footnotes 1. The Destruction of Peace 2. The Failure of the War of Movement, Summer–Winter 1914 4. The Widening of the War 5. War Aims and Peace Negotiations 6. The Land War in Europe: Strategy 8. Manpower and Morale 9. Armaments and Economics 10. Naval Warfare and Blockade 11. The Politics of the Home Fronts 13. The February Revolution and American Intervention, Spring 1917 14. Towards Exhaustion, Summer – Autumn 1917 15. The Central Powers’ Last Throw, Autumn 1917–Summer 1918 16. The Turn of the Tide, Summer – Autumn 1918 17. Ceasefire 18. Peacemaking, 1919–1920 19. Rebuilding, 1920–1929 20. Demolition, 1929–1945 21. Conclusion: The War Becomes History Note on Military and Naval Terminology