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. From the origins of World War One to its bloody (and largely unknown) aftermath, this book 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.

List of Illustrations. Preface to the Centenary Edition. Preface. Acknowledgments. 1. The Origins of War, 1871-1914. 2. 1914. The "Big Show" Opens. 3. 1915. An Insignificant Year? 4. 1916. Total War. 5. 1917. Climax. 6. 1918. Denouement. 7. The Postwar World. A "Peace to End Peace"? Notes. Select Bibliography. Index.