For lots of reasons, this book as been on my mind recently. I will cite both modern events and the new SABATON Album “The War to end all Wars”.

One of the problems with history is that there are so many facets and details that each can comprise a multitude of books and study. Many history books I read are more and more niche, examining aspects of science, individual people, etc.

This book tells everything. Granted not every single detail is elaborated on in very intricate detail such as in the YouTube series “The Great War”. But, if you read only one thing about the history of WWI, this is it.

The reasons why the war started are explained better than any textbook. The stories of the people, what they did, and why they matter over 100years later were made clear. This book even examines the smallest of details such as the relations of the Russian families, the poetry of the soldiers, and the news at the home fronts.

If you want WWI explained, this is THE book. It is a long read but very complete. This is a very good litmus of being interested in WWI as well. If you like this book, this is a great jumping off point to dive into more; or if nothing covered in this book interests you, this is a great overview.

I do still recommend “All Quiet on the Western Front” for the experience of the men who fought and experienced the war. But that history, in my experience is both the big and small pictures.

Also, regarding this book, I am unfortunately internalizing the tragedy of the world, and of WWI.

“The war that would end all wars is over
But not everyone agrees
In the underground, something is growing in the dark
Because for some, the war never ended
War will never entirely die, it will evolve
It will change
And war will return, sooner than we think”

-SABATON – Versailles