A Short History of the First World War: Land, Sea & Air, 1914-1918

by Gordon Kerr

As the war is slipping beyond living memory, this concise history helps ensures that the conflict is never forgotten WWI, lasting just four years from 1914 to 1918, was without parallel, the first true global conflict in which all of the earth's great powers participated. This book tells the story of this cataclysmic event. It describes the background to war, the international rivalries and conflicts of the previous decades that led to the nations of Europe forming virtual armed camps, the relentless build-up of military and naval hardware that characterized the early years of the 20th century, and the great figures that tried to prevent conflict or enthusiastically pushed for it. Each year of the war is dealt with in its own chapter, the battles, various battlefronts, and important incidents described and analyzed for their impact on the conduct of the war. The book also examines the last acts of this "war to end all wars," providing accounts of the Russian Revolution, the decisive entry of the U.S. into the hostilities, and the efforts of the Paris Peace Conference after the armistice to apportion blame and punish the losers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Politics

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Gordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and—when he can—South West France.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this at a used bookstore for the very specific reason of wanting to improve my WWI lecture. I figured a short history of WWI would be very good for that, and I was correct! Being a short history, there is really not much else here - not a lot of prewar context, or postwar context, or context context. Just the war. But it offers what I needed - I really had nothing on the Eastern Front, nothing on Austria-Hungary, or Italy, or Bulgaria. I didn't know anything about operations in the Mideast either, besides what I learned from "Lawrence of Arabia." Didn't know about the Mesopotamian campaign. Didn't know about fighting in Africa. So like I said, very useful for lecturing purposes. Good little paperback to keep on the shelf.

[Paul Drinkwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book, however an excellent summary or introduction for the uninitiated regarding WWI - the fact remain incomprehensible around loss of life, destruction, with the various senior leaders seemingly oblivious to the huge loss of life on a daily basis.
Getting to know this war is a potentially huge undertaking, and for this reader, a way of connecting the dots as to how WWII was eventually to occur.
Very good read to get one started, and credit to the author, for bringing it together so well, considering the vast expanse of this terrible conflict.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whistle stop tour of the first world War. No real detail but it gives a good overview of the whole picture

[Declan Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the First World War, crammed into 150 pages. No maps and pictures made it a little stale at times, but the author did well despite this.

More of an indication of the general movements before, during and after the war, and not much about the individual battles (as would be expected insuch a short book), this never-the-less provided useful information and helped guide the reader through the flows (and more commonly stalemates) of the war.

[Alan Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview of the First World War. I've been reading about WW1 since 1970 or so, and if someone was looking for an introductory book on the conflict, this would be my recommendation. (Review loses one star for no maps. )

[Lauren Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

how can you talk so thoroughly in such a short time about offensives, trench lines, positionings, towns, and the complete post-war redrawing of the european map without including a single solitary map i do not understand

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one for school. Easy to read, simple version of what happened during world war 1.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great textbook!!

[Amber Hardisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did what it said it would, was informative and brief but it was really dry to read.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and never shying away from the real, tragic consequences of war. The numbers are still shocking.

[Axelle Cormary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed this book for context for one of my classes and tbh rlly helpfull

[Charlie Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distilling a book on World War 1 into 150 pages is a masterful feat in itself . A useful add to the books I have read on the topic. Recommended!