The First World War

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Ninety years after the First World War, military historian Hew Strachan argues that its legacy endures. This global conflict, with decisive battles in the Balkans, Africa, and the Ottoman Empire, continues to influence today's politics and international relations, particularly in the Middle East and the Balkans. Strachan masterfully reexamines the war's causes, major campaigns, and consequences, distilling a lifetime of knowledge into a definitive volume. His writing is crisp and compelling, enhanced by vivid photographs—many previously unpublished—and detailed maps. The narrative re-creates this world-altering conflict both on and off the battlefield, exploring the clash of ideologies among colonial powers, the social and economic unrest in Europe, and the military strategies that led to both success and failure. Strachan also analyzes the peace terms and their inability to last. Drawing from diverse sources, he offers a fresh perspective on how the war redrew the world map and ignited many of today's most dangerous conflicts. Deeply learned and powerfully written, this work is poised to be a landmark in contemporary history.