It is seldom that a book combining at once such valuable historical material with such an excellent literary style comes along. This book, recounting the political events leading up to the first World War and the first horrible 30 days of that War, is such a work. Beginning with the pompous, colorful funeral of England’s Edward VII in May of 1910 – -which was to prove the end of the old European order – -the account reaches back into the growing competitive situation between England and Germany. It examines briefly but quite carefully the changes since Victoria’s time – -the power intrigues, Germany’s thirst for power, England’s constant incircling of her. Thus, with the immortal assassination of Ferdinand at Sarajevo in 1914, the martial stage is set. What followed (and again it is reported with succinct, vivid accuracy) was the horrible carnage which is modern war. The author shows how Germany planned its Belgian campaign, how General Foch developed a whole new military “mystique” to meet it, how Turkey, Russia, and Japan became involved, and how men began to die on the Western Front between Germany and France by the tens of thousands. Through the pages too move the great figures – -Generals Molke, Joffre, Foch, and Hindenburg; Winston Churchill, Lord Kitchener, Admirals Jellico and von Tirpitz, and dozens more. Concluding with the great Battle of the Marne which saved Paris and turned the Germans back, the volume shows how European and then world history was forever changed by the terrible struggle. It is an exciting interpretation, and Book of the Month Club selection is the first salvo. (Kirkus Reviews)
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars A great book for The Great War
I knew surprisingly little about The Great War, but knew that I wanted to read about it. Tuchman’s account is arguably one of the more well known histories of the war so it was natural to start with hers. What I quickly realized is that this book is really only about the first month of the war, August, and some of September. At first you wonder how much could have possibly happened in such a short period of time to justify focusing a whole book on it. Tuchman did wonderfully in showing just how important the month of August was in how it effected the outcome of the war.
The Great War is most certainly the last war of its kind. Meaning that it was a traditional power struggle of neighboring kingdoms and empires that pitted one another against each other. By contrast WWII was fought more in regards to one mans ideology, not too mention that technology changed how the war was fought. With The Great War we see Germany and Austria against France and Russia based off of alliances and treaties. Just as Europe was changed in the way it was governed, i.e. so many monarchies being abolished, so too was this the end to how wars were fought.
Tuchman illustrates beautifully the alliances and treatises that went in to the build of to war. We understood why Germany attacked France, why Russia attacked Austria and why England joined forces with Russia and France. Belgium was the ultimate reason why Germany lost, at least in terms of the way the war was fought. As Tuchman explains it, if Germany hadn’t invaded Belgium’s neutrality (or Luxembourg’s for that matter) then England wouldn’t have been brought in to the war and their image would not have been so stained, which, by the end of the war, was the reason so many turned against Germany.
Ultimately Tuchman does a fantastic job jumping from Joffre to Moltke, French to von Kluck. We understand why each general, bureaucrat and so on did what they did and the choices they made. Tuchman minutely researched the numerous memoirs, journals and biographies of the men of that war in order to tell such a round and complete tale of the war that shattered Europe as they then knew it. The only downside is that sometimes throughout the history Tuchman would sound like she was listing off too much, but it ultimately came together. I would recommend. Now I can’t wait to read about the rest of the war.
4.5 stars.
5 Stars Slaughter
It never ceases to amaze me, when reading through history how easy it is, for a hand full of arrogant dim wits, to lead a vast multitude to the slaughter. Mrs. Tuchman used fine detail in describing the positioning of the leaders and units of the start of “the war to end all wars.” Humans will never be able to live in harmony with themselves or their environment because they persist in holding fast to an anthropocentric perception of themselves.
5 Stars Well the writing is geat but so is the book…
Of course the writing is amazing but this edition is a wonderful possession. The book I bought (library binding) is great! Book is built like a tank, great binding, good paper, and an attractive cover and spine design. If you are gifting this book this is your edition, a really beautiful job by the book manufacturer to complement what is no doubt a truly remarkable book of the 21st century!
5 Stars Guns of August is a classic
I had lost my copy of this book in an airport on a recent trip. I wanted another to finish reading and to keep for future reference. This book is a classic, along with The Proud Tower. I was glad to get it at a reduced price and via such prompt service.
5 Stars Bob Dylan should read this book
In a song Bob Dylan wrote “The First World War it came and it went. The reason for fighting I never did get.” I like Dylan, never understood how WWI grew out of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand; then I read The Guns of August. This book is the story of the incredible stupidity, miscalculations, ignorance, and arrogance, that lead to the death of twenty million people, by the rulers and politicians of Europe. In effect it tells how you get from the assassination of one man in Sarajevo to everyone in Europe killing each other, in little more than a month. War may be to important to leave to the generals, but peace seems to suffer at the hands of politicians. Barbra Tuchman,won a well deserved Pulitzer Prize for this book; which is easy to read, thoroughly researched, and well documented. She has been criticized for favoring various nations and individuals, You as the reader can judge this for yourself, but remember critics don’t usually reference and footnote their comments. Another criticism of the book, it is more literature than history, why can’t history be well written and interesting?
This book covers an extremely complex period very well, it deserves more than five stars.
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