Product Description

James Joll's justly-celebrated and best-selling study is not simply another narrative, retracing the powder trail that was finally ignited at Sarajevo. It is an ambitious and wide-ranging analysis of the historical forces at work in the Europe of 1914, and the very different ways in which historians have subsequently attempted to understand them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #193469 in Books
• Published on: 1992-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

Review

Reviews of the second edition:

‘...a short and masterly book.’
Douglas Johnson, New Society

‘...this scholarly, comprehensive and subtle analysis should be made compulsory reading for all students of the period and, most of all, for the decision-makers of today.’
John F V Keiger, History

‘This succinct and, above all, admirably clear volume...will be essential reading for all students of the subject, from the sixth form onwards. It is written with a lightness of touch and an eye for the telling anecdote that will commend it to the general reader, too.’
F R Bridge, British Book News

‘...it will not provide (readers) with an easy one-sentence answer to the question ‘What caused the Great War?’ But after reading it, they should have a better sense of the intricate web of history and of the dangers of producing simple answers to complex issues...’
Paul Kennedy, New York Review of Books

From the Back Cover
‘...a short and masterly book.’
Douglas Johnson, New Society
‘...this scholarly, comprehensive and subtle analysis should be made compulsory reading for all students of the period and, most of all, for the decision-makers of today.’
John F V Keiger, History
‘This succinct and, above all, admirably clear volume...will be essential reading for all students of the subject, from the sixth form onwards. It is written with a lightness of touch and an eye for the telling anecdote that will commend it to the general reader, too.’
F R Bridge, British Book News
‘...it will not provide (readers) with an easy one-sentence answer to the question ‘What caused the Great War?’ But after reading it, they should have a better sense of the intricate web of history and of the dangers of producing simple answers to complex issues...’
Paul Kennedy, New York Review of Books
Published in Harry Hearder’s acclaimed ‘Origins of Modern Wars’ Series, James Joll’s justly-celebrated and best-selling study is not simply another narrative, retracing the powder trail that was finally ignited at Sarajevo. It is an ambitious and wide-ranging analysis of the historical forces at work in the Europe of 1914, and the very different ways in which historians have subsequently attempted to understand them.
In this Second Edition, first published in 1992, Professor Joll returned to the text and revised it in the light of recent research. Its most notable new features are the substantial additional material on Italy and the war, and the reworking of the bibliography.

Customer Reviews

A must for serious students
This is an excellent book for the discerning student of the Origins of the First World War. The content is well presented and in a manner that the A-Level Student through to the amateur historian would find accessible.
The causes are dealt with in turn, from the formation of Germany to the shooting of Franz Ferdinand. If you are studying a course to do with the Origins of the First World War then this is an excellent addition to your reading list.
A must for the serious student.

Good summary of the period
Joll provides a good description of the different elements we need to take into account when discussing what the causes of the First World War were. One major drawback is that it seems to lack detailed analysis of these elements. Also in the chapters on economics and internal conflicts within the different countries, I could not see many links between these different problems and the bearing they might have had on the decision to go to war.

But despite these criticisms, it is a highly informative book that is a useful introduction to this particular period of history. It is suitable for historians at any level.

The best starting point for studying the origins of the First World War?
This volume is the work of two highly distinguished historians: James Joll and Gordon Martel. Joll's book (of which this is the third edition) has rightly deserved a place for many years on the reading list of anyone serious about getting to grips with the complex question of the outbreak of war in 1914.

Joll and Martel are distinguished historians in their own right and not only do they use their historical knowledge and judgement with skill, but are able to reflect upon and include the views of other historians who have examined this vexed historical question.

The book deals with all the major theories in a thematic rather than chronological fashion. For instane, the question of secret diplomacy, political/philosophical ideas, military plans and the 'July Crisis' besides others.

This work is probably of most use to the able AS/A2 student and and undergraduates, but the quality of Joll and Martel's writing suggests the general reader (with some prior knowledge of the backgroun historical events) would find this a highly thought-provoking and rewarding read.