Good exhaustive World War 1 History?

[Mr Bean]

This is a simple request. I'm going on a foreign excision soon and that means I'll be bringing a book or three along for the eighteen hour plane ride. And it comes to me that I know little about World War 1. Not compared to say the civil war or WW2 where I can reel off the major actors, the important battles, the strategic and political situations of each year of the war, why there was a war and why it ended. Instead my knowledge of WW1 is built off of whatever the history channel taught me in the about lets say ten hours of programs I've seen about WW1 I half remember right before the history channel switched to the all Hitler all the time before switching to reality shows.

I'm looking for a book along the lines of The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote. A book that covers the politics, a book that covers the battles and a book that covers in soldiers themselves and a book I can bludgeon to death a small child if need be.

I'm asking for serious recommendations, I'm not looking for a light read here, something of sufficient length and breadth as to leave me with at least a general understanding of the war and it's key actors and something that's not been asked about in this forum per the search history.

[Blayne]

I don't know if it covers all the elements you want but what about Liddel Hart's History of the First World War?

[Thanas]

I would suggest either Volker Berghahn, David Stevenson or Hew Strachan for a basic read.

It is too bad that the great Enzyklopädie Erster Weltkrieg (Hirschfeld et al) is not available in English.

[Mr Bean]

I would suggest either Volker Berghahn, David Stevenson or Hew Strachan for a basic read.

It is too bad that the great Enzyklopädie Erster Weltkrieg (Hirschfeld et al) is not available in English.

I'm looking at those three to see what I can find on Amazon.

Now then this is something that's always bugged me. Why are there such great works of history not yet available in multiple languages. I understand if Enzyklopädie Erster Weltkrieg does not make it into Tagalog, but you think somewhere along the way some English/German speaking History buff would ask hey could I translate that book and get it published in English for a cut of the proceeds? You do after all gain access to another billion potential readers once you translate it into English (Or Chinese for that matter)

[Thanas]

Most get translated, but translations are costly and the publisher might not spring for another volume. Besides, everybody doing serious work on WWI might know enough German already to understand it.

Also, gaining readers is not that much of an emphasis as works like this are nearly always bought by libraries and institutions due to their high cost. Joe average is not going to spend 50-200$ on a dreary-written book that has few pictures. Only really interested people do.

Publishing is a mess.

[Mr Bean]

Most get translated, but translations are costly and the publisher might not spring for another volume. Besides, everybody doing serious work on WWI might know enough German already to understand it.

Also, gaining readers is not that much of an emphasis as works like this are nearly always bought by libraries and institutions due to their high cost. Joe average is not going to spend 50-200$ on a dreary-written book that has few pictures. Only really interested people do.

Publishing is a mess.

Then what about the digital domain where publishing costs are non-existent and profit is theoretically infinite if you can sell your book as the required E-book reading for colleges courses in that subject.

[Thanas]

Most of those who study history - in my experience - barely read the required materials at all.

Also, publishing houses do not like ebooks as they prefer to get strangleholds.

Besides, you do not write the books to make money anyway.

[Zinegata]

Thanas will probably hate me for this, but Keegan's First World War is one of his better books that covers the whole conflict in one sitting - covering the politics, battles, and soldier's experiences.

Not big enough to bludgeon a child to death though.

[Thanas]

Quit plugging Keegan.

[jollypillager]

The Guns of August is a fairly classic WWI book, but is somewhat limited in scope and research.

I also found Mosiers The Great War Myth to be worth the read, but be warned it's conclusions are controvertial. It's still worth reading for the statistics and the doctrinal discussions, one just needs to be a bit careful in embracing everything in here. http://www.amazon.com/The-Myth-Great-Wa ... 0060084332

[Vehrec]

Quit plugging Keegan.

You should probably just make a big 'why Keegan is bad and you should stop talking about him' thread. Because seriously, isn't this supposed to be the one area in which he was at least slightly competent? We need references on his many failings Thanas, I'm sure you have a list.

[Thanas]

I refer you to this - anybody who is so lacking in methodology is quite bad.

[CaiusWickersham]

I'll throw out The Somme: The Darkest Hour on the Western Front by Peter Hart. I have the Kindle version, but there's a 624 page hardcover version (in English at least) that should suit your needs. I read through it and it's very comprehensive as to the preparation, the order of battle and just how much of a slog it was and where (and why). He's also got a book almost as thick on Gallipoli if you're interested in that one too.