Nine stars
While the world went through a great deal during the Great War, there were many moving parts besides the political and military build-ups. Barbara W. Tuchman, pre-eminent historian and award winner, created a trilogy surrounding the Great War, the first of which explores the foundation of European (and world) society that led to four years of military clashes. Tuchman develops strong theses throughout the tome and keeps the reader informed as she contrasts and compares various societies from the late 19th century through to the onset of the Great War. A stunning introduction to this trilogy that has the reader fully prepared for Tuchman's stellar middle book, which has garnered many international awards.
World sentiment during the last quarter of the 19th century differed greatly across the various European societies. As Barbara W. Tuchman explores in this book, the European landscape was such that the privileged could live high on the hog while the poor masses suffered greatly, their simple wishes ignored by massive change. Tuchman's brilliant analysis of the various European communities sheds light on changing times and how each society evolved or devolved, depending on the local situation. The reader can see the differences in Edwardian England from post-unified Germany or the French experiment and rise of social change.
While this is a long tome, filled with insights and a great number of ideas, I choose not to explore most of them, as it is the reader's own interest that will fuel their reading experience. It is clear that Tuchman argues the societal shift occurring in those latter years of the 19th century made the start of the 20th century a completely different place, awkward for some who enjoyed tradition.. Did many of these changes lead to the start of the Great War? On the surface, no, as I would be wrong to think the rise of European socialism fuelled a need for the two 'political and military camps' to charge at one another. However, need for change did play a massive role in the domino effect of an outraged man who killed a European monarch, which had nation states supporting their allies as they entered wartime status.
I have always loved learning about and exploring the Great War, not only from a European perspective. Tuchman's next tome will, hopefully, whet my appetite to learn more, with American neutrality being frayed each day. So much to learn and analyses to synthesise... bring it on!
Tuchman's tome is a stellar piece of writing. While it is long and can be somewhat weighty in its content, Tuchman rams a great deal of information into the book and leaves the reader to digest what they will. Lengthy chapters force the reader to strap in for the voyage, yet they are treated to so much interesting analysis. I loved it and am eager to see how things will progress here, hoping that I will not lose my way as there is much to assess in the second tome.
Kudos, Madam Tuchman, for a great introduction to what is sure to be a sensational trilogy.
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