Cataclysm: The First World War as Political Tragedy by David Stevenson ISBN: 0465081851
Published by Basic Books on May 11th 2005
Pages: 624
Len's Summary: A survey history which breaks no new ground, but rather is a recapitulation of the last 20 years of scholarship. Published in the UK under the title 1914-1918: The History of the First World War, Allen Land, 729 pages, index, illustrations, ISBN 0 713 99208 5, £25 boards from Amazon.co.uk.
Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary in World War I
Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary in World War I by Alexander Watson ISBN: 9780465018727
Published by Basic Books on October 7th 2014
Genres: Germany, Military, Austria & Hungary
Pages: 787
Len's Summary: A dysfunctional and eventually disastrous alliance detailed. See also the Tomlinson prize-winning work by Holger Herwig The First World War: Germany and Austria Hungary, 1914-1918 (Edward Arnold, 1999).
The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East
The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East by Eugene Rogan ISBN: 9780465023073
Published by Basic Books on March 10th 2015
Genres: Military, Turkey & Ottoman Empire
Pages: 512
Len's Summary: How the crumbling Ottoman Empire cast the dice and lost. // A new history of Ottoman disintegration in the face attacks on many fronts.
Illusion of Victory: America in World War I
The Illusion Of Victory: America In World War I by Thomas J. Fleming ISBN: 9780465024674
Published by Basic Books on May 28th 2003
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 543
Len's Summary: Touted by the publisher as revisionist history. Hard on Woodrow Wilson and perfidious Albion. Watch for a forthcoming review in Stand To!
World War One: A Short History
World War One: A Short History by Norman Stone ISBN: 0465019188
Published by Basic Books on April 27th 2010
Genres: History, Military, World War I
Pages: 240
Len's Summary: Stone, prolific British historian and the author of The Eastern Front, 1914-1917 (Simon & Schuster, 1975) remains agnostic on the Armenian genocide and a proponent of the view that Germany — responding to the Russian threat — started WWI. A survey history reviewed in History Today August 2007. Stone now teaches in Turkey.
1920: The Year of the Six Presidents
1920: The Year of the Six Presidents by David Pietrusza ISBN: 0786716223
Published by Basic Books on December 28th 2006
Genres: History, United States, 20th Century
Pages: 533
Len's Summary: The election campaign of 1920 marked the end of the Progressive Era, the start of Prohibition, the height of the post-war Red Scare and a bright line between Wilsonian internationalism and the isolationist “normalcy” of the Harding-Coolidge era; a snapshot of a changing America in the wake of The Great War.
The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front, 1915-1919
The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front, 1915-1919 by Mark Thompson ISBN: 0465020372
Published by Basic Books on October 26th 2010
Pages: 488
Len's Summary: A new survey history about a major front often ignored in telling the history of The Great War. Taking its title from the battle lines in the snow-covered Alps, this book recounts Italy’s abandonment of its German and Austro-Hungarian allies, its entry into the war on the side of the Entente in May 1915 and the resulting stalemate which cost 689 thousand Italian dead before Vienna sued for peace in October 1918.
A More Unbending Battle: The Harlem Hellfighter’s Struggle for Freedom in WWI and Equality at Home
A More Unbending Battle: The Harlem Hellfighter's Struggle for Freedom in WWI and Equality at Home by Peter Nelson ISBN: 9780465003174
Published by Basic Books on 2009
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Social Science, Discrimination & Race Relations, African American Studies, United States
Pages: 291
Len's Summary: A new history of the celebrated 369th Infantry, a segregated New York National Guard outfit recruited almost exclusively from Harlem. A History Book Club selection.
The Vertigo Years: Europe 1900-1914
The Vertigo Years: Europe 1900-1914 by Philipp Blom ISBN: 9780465020294
Published by Basic Books on November 2nd 2010
Genres: History, General
Pages: 488
Len's Summary: Europe between the death of Queen Victoria and the eruption of WWI in the throes of massive change. The continent was riddled with militarism, experiencing wide- spread political, economic and cultural upheaval, as well as astounding medical and technical advances. See also: The Proud Tower, Barbara Tuchman (1966), a lively, informative and well-crafted narrative history by the author of The Guns of August and The Zimmermann Telegram reprinted by Library of America in 2012. // The author contends that growing self-doubt among European elites led then to glorify war and welcome the cataclysm as the only way to cleanse their cultures of its sickness. Foretastes of disaster include Britain near-defeat in the Anglo-Borer War, Russia’s humiliation in the Russo-Japanese War and America’s 1907 Wall Street crash
July 1914: Countdown to War
July 1914: Countdown to War by Sean McMeekin ISBN: 9780465060740
Published by Basic Books on April 29th 2014
Genres: History, Europe, General, Military, World War I, Modern, 20th Century, Political Science, International Relations
Pages: 460
Len's Summary: Analysis of the frenetic activities of often desperate diplomats and more sanguine soldiers by the winner of the 2011 WW1HA Tomlinson Book Prize. A fast-paced account of some of the most important decisions of the 20th century. The author spares no one, but lays much of the blame on France and Russia. See also The Lions of July: Prelude to War, 1914,William Jannen, Presidio Press, 1997.
A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire
A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire by Geoffrey Wawro ISBN: 9780465057955
Published by Basic Books on April 28th 2015
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Modern, 20th Century, Europe, Austria & Hungary
Pages: 480
Len's Summary: Shows just hoe unready Austria-Hungary was to fight a modern industrialized war. The author, who teaches at North Texas University, has also produced superior monographs on the Franco-Prussian and Prusso-Italo-Austrian Wars of the 19th century.
Hundred Days: The Campaign That Ended World War I
Hundred Days: The Campaign That Ended World War I by Nick Lloyd ISBN: 9780465074921
Published by Basic Books on January 28th 2014
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Modern, 20th Century, Europe, General
Pages: 400
Len's Summary: The end game: turning the tide on the Western Front in 1918 giving proper credit to American efforts. See also: Barrie Pitt, 1918: The Last Act, Pen &Sword, 2014, ISBN 0 4650 7492 8, $22.22 from Amazon; a paperback reprint of an excellent 1964 work.
President’s Quarterly Update—April 2024
Dear Members and Friends,
I’m extremely pleased with the level of WW1HA’s activities, some of which may be unseen by you.
Our Journal, “World War One Illustrated,” is now published three times a year with an average length of 48 pages. Each issue is filled with high-quality articles covering a variety of topics, including the popular “My Kin in the Great War” series.
Our electronic newsletter, “Here and There with the WW1HA” is published monthly, with an assortment of Association events and articles covering WW1 topics.
Sal Compagno’s San Francisco Bay Area Chapter continues to hold monthly meetings via Zoom, while Mark Benbow’s Eastern Chapter is holding quarterly meetings.
As President, I am also hosting a quarterly “Fireside Chat” online. The last one emphasized WW1 poetry. The next one will emphasize WW1-era music.
If you’re already a member, I thank you for your membership and encourage you to take part in these activities. If you’re not a member, I ask you to join and participate in these activities. Participate in the events and consider submitting an article for the journal or newsletter.
Reach out to me with your comments: lavarennes@meuse-argonne.com.
Regards,
Randy Gaulke
