The Rhyme of History: Lessons of the Great War

by Margaret MacMillan

As the 100th anniversary of World War I approaches, historian Margaret MacMillan compares current global tensions—rising nationalism, globalization’s economic pressures, sectarian strife, and the United States’ fading role as the world’s pre-eminent superpower—to the period preceding the Great War. In illuminating the years before 1914, MacMillan shows the many parallels between then and now, telling an urgent story for our time. THE BROOKINGS In the spirit of its commitment to high-quality, independent research, the Brookings Institution has commissioned works on major topics of public policy by distinguished authors, including Brookings scholars. The Brookings Essay is a multi-platform product aimed to engage readers in open dialogue and debate. The views expressed, however, are solely those of the author. Available in ebook only.

Genres: History, World War I

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Margaret Olwen MacMillan OC D.Phil. (born 1943) is a historian and professor at Oxford University where she is Warden of St. Antony's College. She is former provost of Trinity College and professor of history at the University of Toronto. A well-respected expert on history and current affairs, MacMillan is a frequent commentator in the media.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[TheF7Pawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Partisan and superficial. Ms. MacMillan actually contrives to compare allegedly obtuse WWI generals with her contemporaries who refuse to believe in global warming despite, as she puts it, overwhelming scientific evidence. Later she gushes over dashing JFK's ability to avoid nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis because, she says, he read Tuchman's "The Guns of August," which in itself is perhaps the ne plus ultra example of superficial historiography. That myth began crumbling in the 1970s, but Ms. MacMillan still clings to it.

The conditions are much different today and we are just as likely to stumble into a war by relying on mistaken historical analogies as we are for being ignorant of them. One would do far better by reading "Thinking in Time" or Michael Howard's "The Lessons of History."

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, thought-provoking read. MacMillan draws several significant, unsettling parallels between modern times and the era immediately before World War I. Additionally, these factors don't exist in isolation: just like the early 1900s, several of these factors are coming together at the same time, and will certainly rebound off each other. No two periods in history are exact matches for one another, and there are probably as many differences between now and the pre-WWI era as there are similarities. However, the trends MacMillan focuses on should probably not be ignored.

[Gary D.]

MacMillan wrote such an excellent book with 1919 that it's disappointing that this one and War are mediocre. She has gone from strong historian to mediocre commentator. At least this was a short book but I didn't find any original or provocative ideas.

[Alvin Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

what Margaret MacMillan wrote in 2013 warning against perils of globalization and the return of nationalism and sectarianism has proved to be prescient

[Joan MacLennan Mahon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Engossing content but poorly edited complete with repetive comparisons (Didn't I just read that? Yes!) At first happy to see this as a good lead in to MacMillan's "Paris 1919." Now ready half-way through toslide over the issue. So though presenting an interesting premise, the poor editing and disorganization is too distracting.

[Bob Buice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and to the point. Margaret MacMillan points a numbers of similarities of the period leading up to WWI and today. However, She omits the alliances that essentially led to the war. Interesting read.