In this monumental history of World War I, Germany's foremost historian explores the war's origins, course, and far-reaching consequences. With unmatched depth and global perspective, the narrative reveals how profoundly the conflict shaped the future. The author examines the clash of arms through grand strategy, dynamic tactics, destructive technologies, and the grim realities faced by frontline soldiers. However, the war transcended mere military engagement or European borders. It encompasses the perspectives of leaders, intellectuals, artists, and ordinary people on various home fronts as they navigated unprecedented political and social pressures. The aftermath of the war left the world irrevocably changed; postwar treaties and economic upheaval redefined geopolitics. Old empires either vanished or faced severe constraints, while emerging nations sought their place amid instability. Additionally, the shock and suffering of war ignited radical ideologies across Europe and beyond, dismantling established orders and reshaping relationships among elites, the masses, and the state. Celebrated in Germany as a masterpiece of historical narrative and analysis, this work highlights the dangers unleashed when the guns first fired in the summer of 1914.
