The Great War An Imperial History

The beginning of the 19th century marked the peak of Western imperial power. After subjugating "inferior" peoples in distant lands, the European states turned inward in an unparalleled orgy of self-destruction that began in 1914 and did not end until1945. "The Great War" revolutionizes our understanding of the First World War by placing it squarely in the context of Western imperialism.

The Great War is a landmark history that firmly places the First World War in the context of imperialism. Set to overturn conventional accounts of what happened during this, the first truly international conflict, it extends the study of the First World War beyond the confines of Europe and the Western Front. By recounting the experiences of people from the colonies especially those brought into the war effort either as volunteers or through conscription, John Morrow's magisterial work also unveils the impact of the war in Asia, India and Africa. From the origins of World WarOne to its bloody (and largely unknown) aftermath, The Great War is distinguished by its long chronological coverage, first person battle and home front accounts, its pan European and global emphasis and the integration of cultural considerations with political.

Translator's Note Introduction Part 1: 1. War, the Liberator 2. Patriotic War 3. Inevitable War 4. Imaginary War 5. 'War on War' 6. War is Declared Part 2: 7. From Movement to Stagnation 8. Strong Points and Weak Points 9. Verdun and the Great Battles 10. Cannon Fodder and the New Art ofWar 11. Styles of War: Direct and Indirect 12. World War and Total War 13. The Possible and the Impossible Part 3: 14. Tensions New and Old 15. Crises of War 16. Revolutionary Peace, Compromise Peace, Victorious Peace Part 4: 17. Between War and Crusade 18. The Illusions of Victory Select Bibliography Index