A highly readable history of the military and political events of World
War One, this wide-ranging book begins with the state of Europe before
the war then embarks on four major chapters chronicling the war a year
at a time. Major battles are interspersed with sections detailing the
weapons used, from dreadnoughts and anti-aircraft guns to U-boats and
heavy field artillery, with specification boxes providing key technical
details on each weapon. A final chapter looks at the aftermath of war
and the newly emerging European states. All aspects of the conflict are
covered, from common illnesses through to the use of propaganda and
atrocities on all sides. Key fact boxes delve into the lives of the
political leaders, generals and fighters, and also discuss the political
movements which flourished. The fascinating story of WWI is told in an
accessible style, supplemented with 500 photographs, maps and battle
plans.