The role of politicians and diplomats in the First World War has strangely been neglected, despite the well-known horrors of trench warfare, human tragedy, and military blunders. In his book, David Stevenson redresses this imbalance by focusing on the politics of the war. He explores why the governments of the day resorted to violence in pursuit of their political objectives, why the conflict expanded to a global level, the significance of the Russian Revolution, why compromise was impossible to achieve, and why the eventual peace settlement took the troubled form that it did.

Stevenson's analysis is based on detailed research in recently opened archives, providing valuable insight into an important chapter of 20th-century international history. The book delves into the complex decision-making processes and strategic calculations that drove the belligerent nations towards war, as well as the diplomatic maneuvers and political tensions that shaped the course and outcome of the conflict.

One of the central questions addressed in the book is why the governments of the time opted for military action to achieve their political aims, rather than pursuing diplomatic solutions. Stevenson examines the political calculations and nationalist sentiments that led the major powers to mobilize their resources and ultimately plunge the world into a devastating war. He also explores the dynamics that caused the conflict to escalate from a regional dispute into a truly global conflagration, drawing in allies and colonial powers from around the world.

The book also delves into the significance of the Russian Revolution, which profoundly altered the geopolitical landscape and shifted the balance of power during the later stages of the war. Stevenson analyzes the impact of this momentous event on the diplomatic and military strategies of the warring factions, as well as its implications for the eventual peace settlement.

Furthermore, the author examines the obstacles that prevented the belligerents from reaching a compromise and ending the war through negotiation. He delves into the intractable positions and competing visions for the post-war order that made it impossible for the warring parties to find common ground and bring the conflict to a swift conclusion.

Finally, Stevenson's work sheds light on the troubled nature of the eventual peace settlement, which laid the groundwork for further conflicts and instability in the decades to come. He explores the complex web of political, economic, and ideological factors that shaped the terms of the settlement, and how these decisions would have far-reaching consequences for the international system.

Overall, Stevenson's book offers a comprehensive and well-researched examination of the political and diplomatic dimensions of the First World War. By shifting the focus away from the battlefield and towards the decision-making processes of political and diplomatic actors, the work provides a nuanced and insightful perspective on this pivotal moment in history, and its enduring impact on the international order.

product information: