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World War I
Learn everything you need to know about the first war to shake the world and change the course of history.
World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide takes you from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the Treaty of Versailles, through beautifully illustrated and easy to understand timelines. Recreate the experience of some of the most prominent battles, such as the Somme and Verdun, through compelling direct accounts from soldiers who fought as well as civilians who lived through the First World War. Marvel at the impressive weaponry and equipment used throughout the war, and learn more about the key figures, such as David Lloyd George and Joseph Joffre.
Packed with images, maps, portraits, key artefacts and unforgettable first person accounts, World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide is an uniquely accessible military history of one of the world's most devastating conflicts.
Previous ISBN: 9781409347613
World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide takes you from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the Treaty of Versailles, through beautifully illustrated and easy to understand timelines. Recreate the experience of some of the most prominent battles, such as the Somme and Verdun, through compelling direct accounts from soldiers who fought as well as civilians who lived through the First World War. Marvel at the impressive weaponry and equipment used throughout the war, and learn more about the key figures, such as David Lloyd George and Joseph Joffre.
Packed with images, maps, portraits, key artefacts and unforgettable first person accounts, World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide is an uniquely accessible military history of one of the world's most devastating conflicts.
Previous ISBN: 9781409347613
372 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
52 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Grant
132 books44 followersR.G. Grant is a historian who has written extensively on many aspects and periods of history. Among his more than fifty published books are: Battle, Soldier, and Battle at Sea (2005, 2007, 2008). He was also a major contributor to the ITV Visual History of the Twentieth Century (1999) and consultant for Chronology of World History (1995). He is also a contributor to 1001 Battles That Changed the Course of History, where earlier versions of his contributions to Britannica first appeared.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 15, 2025
Studying the Great War With The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Institution and DK Publishing have produced this new history, "World War I: The Definitive Visual History from Sarajevo to Versailles" (2014) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War. Superlatives deserve to be approached with skepticism, but the term "definitive visual history" may be warranted in this instance. R.C. Grant, who has written many books on modern warfare, is credited as the author while Richard Overy, Professor of History at the University of Exeter is listed as a consultant.
The Smithsonian's WW I consists of about 350 pages divided into seven large chapters. It begins with an introductory chapter covering the conditions that led to the War between 1870 and 1914. The next five chapters cover the progress of the war on a year-by-year basis from 1914 to 1918 through the Armistice of November 11, 1918. The concluding chapter explores the aftermath of the war through 1923, including the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles, and the continued world instability which led to WW II.
The book is evenly divided between text and pictures. The text includes a great deal of information on every page. Each chapter begins with a timeline in a calendar format which summarizes the major events of the year under discussion. The discussion then proceeds in two-page sections on facing pages covering a small, specific aspect of the war. The topics covered include battles, leaders, political events, campaigns, and activities on the home fronts, including, for example the Russian Revolution, and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II late in the War. The war on land, sea, and air is described as are the many fronts on which WW I was fought. Insets in the text give a short "before" and "after" summation for each event discussed. The volume provides extended cross-references between related topics. The "before" and "after" format and cross-references provide continuity to the presentation and allows the reader to explore a subject in the middle of the book with some necessary perspective of what came before and after. It also leads to a degree of repetition, but repetition is the mother of learning. The text includes many sections labeled "eyewitness" in which contemporaneous voices are heard about the particular event under discussion.
The pictures in the volume are well-chosen and clearly presented and labeled. They are in a mix of color and black and white. The books include maps and military diagrams for readers interested in following the progression of the many battles described. There are photographs of the trenches and their hardships, of combatants, of propaganda tools, of soldiers and leaders, of weaponry, ships, guns, planes, and more.
The book provides a surprisingly detailed overview of the Great War. It gives a feel for the enormity of the conflict in terms of size and loss of life. It helps the reader understand the origins of the Great War, its course and increasing futility, its relationship to WW II, and its continuing impact. It is a necessary and important history to understand, but not an edifying one.
Although in nearly coffee-table size and with many photographs, this book is a work for serious reading rather than for browsing. It requires about the same length of time to read and digest as a standard, non-pictorial account of the Great War. The authors are careful to present issues and controversies relating to the War without drawing dogmatic conclusions. Rather, the book encourages readers to think about the Great War and its impact. This Smithsonian pictorial history makes an excellent choice for readers who want to read one book about WW I. Readers with a serious long-term interest in the War will also learn a great deal from this volume.
Robin Friedman
The Smithsonian Institution and DK Publishing have produced this new history, "World War I: The Definitive Visual History from Sarajevo to Versailles" (2014) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War. Superlatives deserve to be approached with skepticism, but the term "definitive visual history" may be warranted in this instance. R.C. Grant, who has written many books on modern warfare, is credited as the author while Richard Overy, Professor of History at the University of Exeter is listed as a consultant.
The Smithsonian's WW I consists of about 350 pages divided into seven large chapters. It begins with an introductory chapter covering the conditions that led to the War between 1870 and 1914. The next five chapters cover the progress of the war on a year-by-year basis from 1914 to 1918 through the Armistice of November 11, 1918. The concluding chapter explores the aftermath of the war through 1923, including the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles, and the continued world instability which led to WW II.
The book is evenly divided between text and pictures. The text includes a great deal of information on every page. Each chapter begins with a timeline in a calendar format which summarizes the major events of the year under discussion. The discussion then proceeds in two-page sections on facing pages covering a small, specific aspect of the war. The topics covered include battles, leaders, political events, campaigns, and activities on the home fronts, including, for example the Russian Revolution, and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II late in the War. The war on land, sea, and air is described as are the many fronts on which WW I was fought. Insets in the text give a short "before" and "after" summation for each event discussed. The volume provides extended cross-references between related topics. The "before" and "after" format and cross-references provide continuity to the presentation and allows the reader to explore a subject in the middle of the book with some necessary perspective of what came before and after. It also leads to a degree of repetition, but repetition is the mother of learning. The text includes many sections labeled "eyewitness" in which contemporaneous voices are heard about the particular event under discussion.
The pictures in the volume are well-chosen and clearly presented and labeled. They are in a mix of color and black and white. The books include maps and military diagrams for readers interested in following the progression of the many battles described. There are photographs of the trenches and their hardships, of combatants, of propaganda tools, of soldiers and leaders, of weaponry, ships, guns, planes, and more.
The book provides a surprisingly detailed overview of the Great War. It gives a feel for the enormity of the conflict in terms of size and loss of life. It helps the reader understand the origins of the Great War, its course and increasing futility, its relationship to WW II, and its continuing impact. It is a necessary and important history to understand, but not an edifying one.
Although in nearly coffee-table size and with many photographs, this book is a work for serious reading rather than for browsing. It requires about the same length of time to read and digest as a standard, non-pictorial account of the Great War. The authors are careful to present issues and controversies relating to the War without drawing dogmatic conclusions. Rather, the book encourages readers to think about the Great War and its impact. This Smithsonian pictorial history makes an excellent choice for readers who want to read one book about WW I. Readers with a serious long-term interest in the War will also learn a great deal from this volume.
Robin Friedman
July 11, 2016
Beautiful illustrations and great research info for my writing. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for information about WW1. This is a very large book!
April 19, 2019
This is a great book. The visuals are nice. The information is easy to read and understand. The writing and clear and crisp. The format is very good. Everything encourages readers to turn the page. The only problems are the stand-outs - both small on each page, and some page-length stand-outs that appear to be randomly thrown in wherever.
This is a large book. It is a thick coffee table book. The design is for browsing and quick reading. Each two-page spread reads like a chapter. The material is clear and focused. Even with such a small space as two pages, the material is clear and a basic sense of chronology stays with the reader. It is beautifully done. Readers will easily get a sense of the hardship and emotions associated with the soldiers, the generals, and the public.
The pages are thick and high-quality. The publisher expects the book to receive a lot of attention, and acted accordingly. In about 350 pages Grant covers many different theaters of war as well as biographies of leading generals, civilian life, politics, and society. It always amazed me how Austria and Turkey fell apart after the war. Grant clearly demonstrates the collapse occurred in both empires during the war. The same hold true for Russia which went through radical border upheavals 1918-1922. At one point, Grant simply writes the victorious German armies simply stopped pressing forward into Russia because there was no point. Russia had collapsed. The same held true for Austria and Turkey. It is a rare gift to be able to clearly synthesize so much information and repackage it into such small bits of information.
Although the title says it is the definitive visual history of the war, I am not as convinced. There are many picture books out there. Grant had to use a lot of page space for his writing. Although the images are great, there are many more available. It is a little picky to focus on the title of the book; but it is a simple observation. Again, the images are great; but is this the definitive collection?
My only gripe about the book are the various stand-outs that break up the chronology of war. Do readers really need a two-page spread on General Pershing or even the German Airforce before Richthofen? The information appears to be solid, but I tended to skim through it. Even on pages where the information focused on battles and campaigns, the stand-outs are distracting. Maybe they are necessary to compliment the overall structure and format of the book. The information is relevant, almost like footnotes.
Overall, I heartily recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Experts on WWI may find some problems in the brevity and oversimplification of complex happenings; but most people will learn a great deal about history and this time period. It is certainly a wonderful nonfiction book!
This is a large book. It is a thick coffee table book. The design is for browsing and quick reading. Each two-page spread reads like a chapter. The material is clear and focused. Even with such a small space as two pages, the material is clear and a basic sense of chronology stays with the reader. It is beautifully done. Readers will easily get a sense of the hardship and emotions associated with the soldiers, the generals, and the public.
The pages are thick and high-quality. The publisher expects the book to receive a lot of attention, and acted accordingly. In about 350 pages Grant covers many different theaters of war as well as biographies of leading generals, civilian life, politics, and society. It always amazed me how Austria and Turkey fell apart after the war. Grant clearly demonstrates the collapse occurred in both empires during the war. The same hold true for Russia which went through radical border upheavals 1918-1922. At one point, Grant simply writes the victorious German armies simply stopped pressing forward into Russia because there was no point. Russia had collapsed. The same held true for Austria and Turkey. It is a rare gift to be able to clearly synthesize so much information and repackage it into such small bits of information.
Although the title says it is the definitive visual history of the war, I am not as convinced. There are many picture books out there. Grant had to use a lot of page space for his writing. Although the images are great, there are many more available. It is a little picky to focus on the title of the book; but it is a simple observation. Again, the images are great; but is this the definitive collection?
My only gripe about the book are the various stand-outs that break up the chronology of war. Do readers really need a two-page spread on General Pershing or even the German Airforce before Richthofen? The information appears to be solid, but I tended to skim through it. Even on pages where the information focused on battles and campaigns, the stand-outs are distracting. Maybe they are necessary to compliment the overall structure and format of the book. The information is relevant, almost like footnotes.
Overall, I heartily recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Experts on WWI may find some problems in the brevity and oversimplification of complex happenings; but most people will learn a great deal about history and this time period. It is certainly a wonderful nonfiction book!
December 23, 2018
4.0 / 5.0
Well written with informative layout and selection of topics. Nice balance of graphics, asides, sidebars, and text. More than usual attention to theaters beside western front.
Great introduction to WWI timelines. Context is missing but is probably not appropriate for this treatment.
Well written with informative layout and selection of topics. Nice balance of graphics, asides, sidebars, and text. More than usual attention to theaters beside western front.
Great introduction to WWI timelines. Context is missing but is probably not appropriate for this treatment.
August 26, 2024
Highly rated due to amount of info in such a short book. Would recommend to anybody who wants to dip there toe in general knowledgde of WW1
October 23, 2014
What is not to love about a book that has been put together by The Smithsonian and DK? Sometimes they don’t always hit the right note and produce a piece of work that appeals to all audiences, but with this book they hit all markets and made this period of our world history accessible to everyone.
Full of pictures, maps and excerpts from people who were actually there, this book provides an interesting collection of information about the World War I. I originally picked this book up as I am having to write a paper on trench warfare, and found facts in here that I had not come across anywhere else; the detailed maps were also a plus in my research, and would help in understanding this form of warfare to those not familiar with it.
For those who might be concerned that this book may be too much for younger readers, there is no need; although the pictures used are mainly ‘war’ photographs and paintings, there is nothing too graphic or disturbing about them, rather the opposite they exude a sense of sadness when viewed from this point in our history. The start of the book provides a timeline up to the outbreak of war, and then in a somewhat chronological order follows it through to the Armistice and then the aftermath and how the end of the war didn’t just stop with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The way in which this book has been put together gives the reader the museum experience without leaving the comfort of their own homes, and the heavy pages and striking cover add to this feeling of being in another place.
My reasoning for giving this lovely book only a four thumbs rating was the size of the text, I did find it rather small and densely packed in places, and would have been happier with more pages in the book if the text were larger. Overall though this a great book to use as an introduction to the era, and as a supplement to more serious studies; as a plus it also looks great on the coffee table too.
I would highly recommend this book to all who are interested in this era, or just want to expand their knowledge about, what was supposed to be, the ‘war to end all wars’. It will make the reader think considering that some of the places mentioned in the book are still fighting today, which will bring up the question of why?
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/10/22...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Full of pictures, maps and excerpts from people who were actually there, this book provides an interesting collection of information about the World War I. I originally picked this book up as I am having to write a paper on trench warfare, and found facts in here that I had not come across anywhere else; the detailed maps were also a plus in my research, and would help in understanding this form of warfare to those not familiar with it.
For those who might be concerned that this book may be too much for younger readers, there is no need; although the pictures used are mainly ‘war’ photographs and paintings, there is nothing too graphic or disturbing about them, rather the opposite they exude a sense of sadness when viewed from this point in our history. The start of the book provides a timeline up to the outbreak of war, and then in a somewhat chronological order follows it through to the Armistice and then the aftermath and how the end of the war didn’t just stop with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The way in which this book has been put together gives the reader the museum experience without leaving the comfort of their own homes, and the heavy pages and striking cover add to this feeling of being in another place.
My reasoning for giving this lovely book only a four thumbs rating was the size of the text, I did find it rather small and densely packed in places, and would have been happier with more pages in the book if the text were larger. Overall though this a great book to use as an introduction to the era, and as a supplement to more serious studies; as a plus it also looks great on the coffee table too.
I would highly recommend this book to all who are interested in this era, or just want to expand their knowledge about, what was supposed to be, the ‘war to end all wars’. It will make the reader think considering that some of the places mentioned in the book are still fighting today, which will bring up the question of why?
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/10/22...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
April 5, 2020
Yes, it's a coffee-table book, but I'm under quarantine along with the rest of the world, so I've got the time & opportunity to read every last word! Thankfully, it's also a terrific way for a layman such as myself to get a deeper, more detailed, comprehensive understanding of World War I.
I have a decent knowledge of World War II from my school history lessons, plus many books (fiction and non-fiction) that I've read on the subject. But my understanding of World War I was much less detailed; I didn't understand the causes of that conflict, the alliances, or the significant moments. This book is wonderful at putting all the major events of World War I into their proper context. Each page spread can be read as its own individual "article" without relying too much on the other pages. Most pages include large detailed photos, maps, and/or illustrations with detailed captions that explain events in detail. There are even "Before" and "After" tabs on most pages; the "Before" tab lists a few crucial events that led the way to the events described on the main splash page, and the "After" tab lists events that occurred later as a result of the main page events. There are also several biographies of significant heads of state/generals/soldiers from the war from multiple countries, pages with samples of the weaponry/technology used, and "man on the street" interviews for many of the war's significant events, complete with vivid photographs.
Thanks to this book, my understanding of World War I is much deeper, and I can describe in greater detail the "big picture" events that created the "war to end all wars" (a phrase which, I am sorry to say, proved to be inaccurate).
I have a decent knowledge of World War II from my school history lessons, plus many books (fiction and non-fiction) that I've read on the subject. But my understanding of World War I was much less detailed; I didn't understand the causes of that conflict, the alliances, or the significant moments. This book is wonderful at putting all the major events of World War I into their proper context. Each page spread can be read as its own individual "article" without relying too much on the other pages. Most pages include large detailed photos, maps, and/or illustrations with detailed captions that explain events in detail. There are even "Before" and "After" tabs on most pages; the "Before" tab lists a few crucial events that led the way to the events described on the main splash page, and the "After" tab lists events that occurred later as a result of the main page events. There are also several biographies of significant heads of state/generals/soldiers from the war from multiple countries, pages with samples of the weaponry/technology used, and "man on the street" interviews for many of the war's significant events, complete with vivid photographs.
Thanks to this book, my understanding of World War I is much deeper, and I can describe in greater detail the "big picture" events that created the "war to end all wars" (a phrase which, I am sorry to say, proved to be inaccurate).
August 29, 2015
R.G. Grant's Smithsonian "World War 1: A Definitive Visual History" is an interesting collection of facts and illustrations about the first Great War. Some of the visuals are quite nice, and paint a grim picture of this war. The book is not necessarily in any chronological order, and jumps between fronts and theatre's of war. War on the western front will be talked about up until 1916, and then the book will jump to a different theatre a year or two earlier.
The facts contained within the book offer little depth, which makes this an excellent visual tool but little else. The book offers little that isn't already covered in other coffee-table style books on this subject. Even still, reading about the First World War is always interesting, and the style presented within this book makes it well worth a read, especially if you are just starting to dig into the subject.
The facts contained within the book offer little depth, which makes this an excellent visual tool but little else. The book offers little that isn't already covered in other coffee-table style books on this subject. Even still, reading about the First World War is always interesting, and the style presented within this book makes it well worth a read, especially if you are just starting to dig into the subject.
September 19, 2014
This is really very good for a "coffee table" book. Lots of substance and historical analysis. It really helped me understand the developments during the war and particularly the German collapse in 1918. Also--in the plus ca change, plus ca meme category, a lot of the military developments by 1918 were picked right back up in 1939. Pictures and maps do an excellent job of illustrating and amplifying the text.
September 30, 2022
Despre Primul Război Mondial, de la Sarajevo la Versailles, am citit vara aceasta, pentru cultura mea generală.
Chiar dacă am sărit peste câteva pagini, cele despre politică, important este că am rămas cu ceva. Am citit cu mai mult interes capitolele de interes pentru mine și am admirat ilustrațiile superbe.
Capitolele și citatele mele preferate:
- Armistițiul de Crăciun pg 62
- Viața în tranșee pg 96
- Bătălia de pe Somme pg 182
- Tratament medical pg 186
- Consemnarea războiului pg 26
- Fronturi interne pg 270
- Armistițiul pg 322
- Semnarea Tratatului de la Versailles pg 341
- "E o scenă sălbatică ... Mizerie și gunoi pretutinden, gropi transformate în fortificații... grupuri de șobolani uriași."
- "Omenirea a înnebunit! Trebuie să fie țicniți ca să facă ceea ce fac. Asemenea măcel! Asemenea scene de groază și carnagiu!"
- "Pornim la luptă cu avântul unui popor care are credința neclintită în menirea lui."
- "Era deja o lume diferită...Războiul se încheiase, începea o nouă epocă, dar morții erau morți și nu aveau să se mai întoarcă."
- "Gassed" de John Singer Sargent
- "Gata cu măcelul, gata cu mutilările, gata cu noroiul și cu sângele și gata cu oamenii uciși."
- "A existat o dorință copleșitoare ca acest război să fie ultimul." Defapt urăsc cum sunt spuse cuvintele astea
- "În Marea Britanie și în Franța, războiul a fost celebrat cu mult zel printr-o zi a comemorării ținută pe 11 noiembrie, începând din 1919. În loc să sărbătorească victoria, aceste țări au cinstit sacrificiul celor căzuți. Două minute de reculegere au fost țiunte de Marea Britanie la ora 11, un obicei respectat cu atâta rigurozitate în anii următori, încât tot traficul se întrerupea."
- "Orice în afară de război! Orice! Niciun chin și nici o robie nu se pot compara cu războiul."
Ce mi-au plăcut au fost informațiile despre oameni și suferințele lor, lucrurile care îți dau fiori pe șina spinării, pe care nu le auzi la orele de istorie.
Ilustrațiile super precise, fotografiile, care sunt artă, și detaliile despre sentimente, pentru asta mi-a plăcut cartea.
Cu amintirea că am citit-o pe parcursul verii, înainte de clasa a 11-a,
4 ⭐
Chiar dacă am sărit peste câteva pagini, cele despre politică, important este că am rămas cu ceva. Am citit cu mai mult interes capitolele de interes pentru mine și am admirat ilustrațiile superbe.
Capitolele și citatele mele preferate:
- Armistițiul de Crăciun pg 62
- Viața în tranșee pg 96
- Bătălia de pe Somme pg 182
- Tratament medical pg 186
- Consemnarea războiului pg 26
- Fronturi interne pg 270
- Armistițiul pg 322
- Semnarea Tratatului de la Versailles pg 341
- "E o scenă sălbatică ... Mizerie și gunoi pretutinden, gropi transformate în fortificații... grupuri de șobolani uriași."
- "Omenirea a înnebunit! Trebuie să fie țicniți ca să facă ceea ce fac. Asemenea măcel! Asemenea scene de groază și carnagiu!"
- "Pornim la luptă cu avântul unui popor care are credința neclintită în menirea lui."
- "Era deja o lume diferită...Războiul se încheiase, începea o nouă epocă, dar morții erau morți și nu aveau să se mai întoarcă."
- "Gassed" de John Singer Sargent
- "Gata cu măcelul, gata cu mutilările, gata cu noroiul și cu sângele și gata cu oamenii uciși."
- "A existat o dorință copleșitoare ca acest război să fie ultimul." Defapt urăsc cum sunt spuse cuvintele astea
- "În Marea Britanie și în Franța, războiul a fost celebrat cu mult zel printr-o zi a comemorării ținută pe 11 noiembrie, începând din 1919. În loc să sărbătorească victoria, aceste țări au cinstit sacrificiul celor căzuți. Două minute de reculegere au fost țiunte de Marea Britanie la ora 11, un obicei respectat cu atâta rigurozitate în anii următori, încât tot traficul se întrerupea."
- "Orice în afară de război! Orice! Niciun chin și nici o robie nu se pot compara cu războiul."
Ce mi-au plăcut au fost informațiile despre oameni și suferințele lor, lucrurile care îți dau fiori pe șina spinării, pe care nu le auzi la orele de istorie.
Ilustrațiile super precise, fotografiile, care sunt artă, și detaliile despre sentimente, pentru asta mi-a plăcut cartea.
Cu amintirea că am citit-o pe parcursul verii, înainte de clasa a 11-a,
4 ⭐
January 24, 2025
As others have said, this is indeed a large weighty tome. I can't help but imagine if someone in early 1914 had the information contained in here! Would they have gotten into the War? Would they have avoided it? Would the monarchies do what it took to survive, which they almost did anyway? I wonder then how each social class would have reacted in response to their soon-to-be trials? Would revolutionaries and/or separatists have gone ahead with their plans, using Pres. Wilson's self determination principle if they knew the high cost in blood and freedoms (surprisingly) they would endure? Anyway...
This book gives the reader a fantastic general overview of many aspects of the Great War. If you had to take in only one book of the War, this is the one to look at. And if there is a flaw to be found, I would point this out: there is a certain finality to each of the topics covered on each page spread. To me, this finality doesn't readily lend itself to further study; there is no teaser, no subtle encouragement to engage more with the topic being explored. Just to name a few examples: Lawrence of Arabia, the Freikorps, the breakup of Austria-Hungary are all presented (as are all topics) in a no nonsense manner but each of these is so incredibly interesting in how they went on to play a large, large role in the future... many of which the ramifications we are still dealing with the 21st century. It is certainly a crash course in self-restraint surely on the part of the author to maintain such a clear cut focus.
The pictures, the graphics, all the visuals are relevant and large enough to be usable. High praise indeed when compared to so many books which ruin good visuals by being miniscule or have color stripped away.
To anyone reading this, may I ask a question of you? Do you know where I can find a reproduction, preferably a painting, of the SMS Derfflinger painting by Claus Bergen on pg 174-175?
This book gives the reader a fantastic general overview of many aspects of the Great War. If you had to take in only one book of the War, this is the one to look at. And if there is a flaw to be found, I would point this out: there is a certain finality to each of the topics covered on each page spread. To me, this finality doesn't readily lend itself to further study; there is no teaser, no subtle encouragement to engage more with the topic being explored. Just to name a few examples: Lawrence of Arabia, the Freikorps, the breakup of Austria-Hungary are all presented (as are all topics) in a no nonsense manner but each of these is so incredibly interesting in how they went on to play a large, large role in the future... many of which the ramifications we are still dealing with the 21st century. It is certainly a crash course in self-restraint surely on the part of the author to maintain such a clear cut focus.
The pictures, the graphics, all the visuals are relevant and large enough to be usable. High praise indeed when compared to so many books which ruin good visuals by being miniscule or have color stripped away.
To anyone reading this, may I ask a question of you? Do you know where I can find a reproduction, preferably a painting, of the SMS Derfflinger painting by Claus Bergen on pg 174-175?
April 21, 2022
"World War I: The Definitive Visual History from Sarajevo to Versailles" is an amazing book that belongs in every armchair historian's library. This densely-packed volume has it all: beautiful artwork, detailed maps, photographs of soldiers and battlefields, illustrations, pictures of historical artifacts, extensive historical text and commentary, biography, and much more. This is no children's picture-book; rather, it is a serious work of history that will reward the diligent student with understanding, perspective, and insight.
This is a large, heavy book (one might classify it as a coffee-table book). There is so much to see and examine, I spent the better part of a week carefully studying every page. During my study of WWI, I purchased this book with the idea that I would not read it until I had read other books on the great war. I am glad that I took this approach, because before reading this book one would be wise to have a certain level of understanding of the war in order to derive maximum benefit from this history. Such an approach is certainly not a requirement, but I am glad this is the approach that I utilized.
This book is so well conceived. An educator's hand is evident because the use of spaced-repetition throughout this work is simply brilliant. One cannot carefully read this work and come away uninformed by the great themes of WWI study. This book will also make one yearn to dig deeper. Indeed, my WWI reading list has grown after reading this book (my next WWI book will focus on the Treaty of Versailles).
Many students know something of the Civil War, or perhaps a bit about WWI, but this book will actually make you a confident conversant on the subject, and that is a real accomplishment. Happy reading!
This is a large, heavy book (one might classify it as a coffee-table book). There is so much to see and examine, I spent the better part of a week carefully studying every page. During my study of WWI, I purchased this book with the idea that I would not read it until I had read other books on the great war. I am glad that I took this approach, because before reading this book one would be wise to have a certain level of understanding of the war in order to derive maximum benefit from this history. Such an approach is certainly not a requirement, but I am glad this is the approach that I utilized.
This book is so well conceived. An educator's hand is evident because the use of spaced-repetition throughout this work is simply brilliant. One cannot carefully read this work and come away uninformed by the great themes of WWI study. This book will also make one yearn to dig deeper. Indeed, my WWI reading list has grown after reading this book (my next WWI book will focus on the Treaty of Versailles).
Many students know something of the Civil War, or perhaps a bit about WWI, but this book will actually make you a confident conversant on the subject, and that is a real accomplishment. Happy reading!
March 19, 2025
This book has been on my shelf for at least 5 years, just waiting for me to get to it... World War I: The Definitive Visual History from Sarajevo to Versailles is heavy both physically and metaphorically. It's a huge weighty hardcover full of contemporary photographs, maps, and interesting visual items. The text is just as substantial, giving details and analysis of the buildup to war, trench warfare, civilian hardship, battlefield techniques, horrendous mortality figures, and the armistice that ended the war that did not end all wars. There was so much information, and though this volume is a "coffee table book" that is perhaps intended to be consumed in small bites, the author tied things together pretty well.
4.25 stars.
4.25 stars.
December 16, 2021
Published on the 100th anniversary of the armistice, this book gives a great broad view of the war to end all wars. The photos are great and help illustrate the time period.
Each section has a little tab explaining what happened prior to and immediately following the current event. The beginning of each chapter also has a calendar overview. The book has a well-organized layout and lots of interesting information. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in WWI or war in general. The main criticism I have is that many of the photos were used in more than one place in the book, but maybe this doesn't bother others.
Each section has a little tab explaining what happened prior to and immediately following the current event. The beginning of each chapter also has a calendar overview. The book has a well-organized layout and lots of interesting information. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in WWI or war in general. The main criticism I have is that many of the photos were used in more than one place in the book, but maybe this doesn't bother others.
December 24, 2021
I digested this encyclopedic volume bit by bit over a couple of months, which I think helped me to grasp far better the endless horror of this interminable and murderous war. I especially appreciated its rich illustrations, full of images of the politicians that pushed it and the soldiers that fought it; along with its remarkable graphics and maps, all of which helped me to understand what must have seemed to the world its horrifyingly repetitious campaigns gaining little terrain but bringing mass casualties. It's a volume to revisit time and again, if only to remind ourselves what war's terrors are truly like.
June 12, 2020
Perfect as both an introduction for beginners and a refresher for WW1 enthusiasts. The title is a bit misguided, since this is no simple picture book but a well-written outline of each component of the war, including detailed accounts of individual battles, their context, and the persons involved, from slightly before WW1 to a little after its conclusion. The list of cemeteries and war memorials at the back of the book with accompanying photographs is especially striking.
March 31, 2022
I have been slowly making my way through this book. Very good. Lots of pictures and very dense on covering such a vast subject & giving a good overview of the war. Each section (2 pages) worth of topic probably has vast amounts of large thick history books written on each subject but was well condensed into a manageable amount of information. I learned a lot about a time period I have been interested in for a long time.
May 6, 2017
I wish I had had this primer before I embarked upon my 3 year quest for WWI knowledge. The information and artifacts were presented in a clear, straightforward manner, which allowed me to easily look up or cite information. I love visual histories, so I am now in the process of collecting the others that DK has done for major American conflicts. Highly recommended.
April 10, 2022
Fantastic overview. I really enjoy all of these “Visual History” Smithsonian books. The maps & pictures coupled with great (and fairly detailed) analysis of battles and larger geo-political dynamics are just awesome.
March 9, 2025
An amazing compendium of art, photographs, maps, profiles, poetry -- anything and everything you could possibly want to know about what used to be called the Great War. Well-balanced in its coverage of armies, battles and theaters not involving the United States. I learned something on every page.
November 22, 2022
Tremendous overview of the first World War told in pictures and text.
February 22, 2024
Good book I love it but I am more into world war 2 but still a good book
May 8, 2022
Here are the problems with the book: Nothing.
This book is so well written it could turn the most hardened WWI hater into a fan. So much good info no person with an IQ could turn this down. Would absolutely suggest.
This book is so well written it could turn the most hardened WWI hater into a fan. So much good info no person with an IQ could turn this down. Would absolutely suggest.
May 18, 2020
Wow! This a quite interesting book, full of details, pictures. And very well researched!
September 12, 2014
This is a really nice book - almost coffee-table size (and quality!) but with good information inside. It gives a very decent overview history of WWI (I've read a handful of histories on the "Great War" but wouldn't consider myself an expert) and the battles and such, but it also does a good job of putting it into the context of the time (although blaming it on the assassination of Franz Ferdinand is a bit simplistic). The layout is a bit dense and text a bit on the small side, but it's still very informative. Pictures are used heavily, although they aren't all "war" photos (and while there are a lot of actual "war" photos, I don't recall seeing anything I thought was overly graphic). There are also quite a few pages throughout that show various items, such as the guns (or grenades, tanks, airplanes, uniforms, etc.) of WWI that is interesting and gives it the museum-experience feel. I'm mostly familiar with DK books from when my kids were younger, and we bought several of the "encyclopedia" type of books they produce. But this one is on a much higher level than those books - with the same picture-heavy format but with excellent quality information. Overall, I really like this book and think it serves well both as an introduction to WWI and as a supplement to a more serious beginner study. And it looks great on the coffee table, too! (I received this book from the Amazon Vine program.)
September 3, 2014
Two words - DK and Smithsonian.
This is an excellent overview of WWI. The layout separated by years (with a timeline) is rather helpful, and of course, the photos/artifacts accompanying the text are wonderful. There was a concerted effort to bring to light some of the lesser known battles and people who helped to shape the war, and a great deal of information on how this was actually was the first "world" war. In fact, it's sad to think that many of the places that played a part in war a century ago are still places where there is fighting today: Gaza, Iraq, the Ukraine (seriously, do we never learn?).
Overall, there is a lot of breadth covered and its done in a mostly objective manner (Kaiser Wilhelm was a little crazy). A great resource for classrooms, and a good reference for anyone wanting to understand the war - and why its legacy still lingers on after 100 years.
This is an excellent overview of WWI. The layout separated by years (with a timeline) is rather helpful, and of course, the photos/artifacts accompanying the text are wonderful. There was a concerted effort to bring to light some of the lesser known battles and people who helped to shape the war, and a great deal of information on how this was actually was the first "world" war. In fact, it's sad to think that many of the places that played a part in war a century ago are still places where there is fighting today: Gaza, Iraq, the Ukraine (seriously, do we never learn?).
Overall, there is a lot of breadth covered and its done in a mostly objective manner (Kaiser Wilhelm was a little crazy). A great resource for classrooms, and a good reference for anyone wanting to understand the war - and why its legacy still lingers on after 100 years.
August 5, 2025
I have been on a literal shopping spree of the DK Publishing books. Now that I have finished this masterpiece, I will be moving onto the World War II version.
This book was such a joy to read. Going into it, my knowledge about WWI was minimal, but after reading this, I have learned SO MUCH. The book is written in a very easy and comprehensive way. They cover the war via all aspects and include short biographies on important figures during the war (including much much more). The illustrations are great and the book includes many photographs, propaganda and other material that was specific to this time. There is also a section at the end on where you can locate all the cemeteries / memorials and descriptions of each. This book / author really did their research and it shows.
I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone who has interest in history.
This book was such a joy to read. Going into it, my knowledge about WWI was minimal, but after reading this, I have learned SO MUCH. The book is written in a very easy and comprehensive way. They cover the war via all aspects and include short biographies on important figures during the war (including much much more). The illustrations are great and the book includes many photographs, propaganda and other material that was specific to this time. There is also a section at the end on where you can locate all the cemeteries / memorials and descriptions of each. This book / author really did their research and it shows.
I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone who has interest in history.
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January 12, 20162014 marks the centennial of the start of World War I — DK will mark the occasion with the publication of World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide, a vividly illustrated, in-depth account of the Great War.
Written by historian R. G. Grant, and created by DK's award-winning editorial and design team, World War I charts the developments of the war from a global perspective. Using illustrated timelines, detailed maps, and personal accounts, readers will see the oft-studied war in a new light. Key episodes are set clearly in the wider context of the conflict, in-depth profiles look at the key generals and political leaders, and full-color photo galleries showcase the weapons, inventions, and new technologies that altered the course of history.
Written by historian R. G. Grant, and created by DK's award-winning editorial and design team, World War I charts the developments of the war from a global perspective. Using illustrated timelines, detailed maps, and personal accounts, readers will see the oft-studied war in a new light. Key episodes are set clearly in the wider context of the conflict, in-depth profiles look at the key generals and political leaders, and full-color photo galleries showcase the weapons, inventions, and new technologies that altered the course of history.
December 21, 2014
This was the perfect overview for World War I, its effects, and its significance in the larger picture of history. The pictures were incredible, the biographies were enlightening, and now after reading this, I have a few additions to my reading list and my travel list. Also, bonus points for not making this too depressing...the Vietnam visual history was a real downer. I mean, it's war, but...I guess I'm a fragile soul.
May 4, 2020
This is an excellent book. In an easy to understand it outlines much of the political, social, economic, and military issues of the war in a chronological order. This is the fourth book that I have read by The Smithsonian And this is by far the best one. It is balanced and includes something from all countries that fought in the war. If you are looking for an understanding of World War I then this is a great book to start with.
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